2025 is officially here, and before we start looking ahead to what’s sure to be another year of incredible music, first, we wanted to take a moment to talk about our absolute favorite track from 2024.
Now, 2024 certainly had its fair share of massive moments for dance music lovers, but for us, the standout track of the year came from a collaboration between three incredible artists. But before we get into the track itself, let’s talk about the people who made it and why their collaboration was so perfect.
If you’ve spent time listening to us at Nexus this last year, you’ll know that we’re already huge fans of Lucas & Steve. Their vibrant, poptastic brand of progressive house music is just the kind of upbeat and euphoric style that always gets a dancefloor going, and we can’t get enough of it.
That said, it’s not just our love for Lucas & Steve’s sound that helped ‘Best of Me’ stand out from the crowd. What Phillip Strand brings to the table is just what this song needed to give it that extra push from a catchy tune to a downright unforgettable beat.
Some artists thrive when working together; this track shows just how valuable that process can be. Where Lucas & Steve are modern EDM at its finest, Strand’s vocals bring a level of passion and emotion that really sells this song.
With experience as a vocalist working in dubstep and drum and bass, Phillip Strand might not seem like an obvious pick for a track like this one, but he absolutely knocks it out of the park. By bringing subtle emotional touches to every line, you can really feel the passion in his voice, and the end result is an incredibly heartfelt track.
One thing that’s worth noting is that ‘Best of Me’ doesn’t push the boat out stylistically the way that some of Lucas & Steve’s other recent work has done. Where 2023 and 2024 saw the pair experimenting more than ever with their sound, ‘Best of Me’ is – both in name and in practice – a return to the familiar.
To some, that may be a disappointment. After all, who doesn’t want to hear something new and fresh? But while ‘Best of Me’ might not be the kind of track that redefines the genre, it certainly succeeds in exemplifying it.
Sometimes, you really want a true summer anthem, and that’s what ‘Best of Me’ managed to be. For us, this song was the sound of summer 2024, and we will keep returning to it throughout 2025. It’s a masterclass in music production skills, but more than that, it’s a great tune you love to dance to. If you’re looking for a love letter to modern dance at its finest, then look no further.
