This past year, we saw the emergence and evolution of a couple different subgenres, namely trap and underground house. While trap is still in its relative infancy, underground house music has been around for longer than most of you reading and will likely be around for far longer. It has stood the test of time amid the emergence of much harder styles of bass music like dubstep and electro and has maintained a niche following akin to its underground origins. 2012 was, however, probably the biggest year for underground house in this country since the entire dance music movement went mainstream. The biggest indicator of this would probably have to be seeing Sensation on our shores for the first time in its 12 year history, bringing with it all the sounds of dark dance clubs in Europe. Other indicators like Carl Cox’s tent at Ultra and the Sunday School Grove stage at Electric Zoo drawing record crowds further show how much this subgenre has grown.
If you want to get a deeper understanding (no pun intended) of this kind of music, check out the 10 tracks that the MMIBTY writers have identified as some of the most influential records of the past year in deep house and tech-house. I hope that this subgenre continues to grow along with the rest of dance music here in the US as it rightly deserves to. In no particular order:
Pirupa – Party Non Stop (Huxley Remix)
Hot Natured ft Ali Love – Benediction (Original Mix)
Mark Knight – Alright (Original Club Mix)
Justin Martin – Don’t Go (Dusky Remix)
Claptone – Cream (Original Mix)
Hot Chip – Flutes (Sasha Remix)
Julio Bashmore – Au Seve (Original Mix)
Kolumbo – My Own Business (Original Mix)
Kill Frenzy – Booty Clap (Original Mix)
TJR – Funky Vodka (Original Mix)