Dancing Astronaut’s Top Tracks of DecemberDa Top10 Dec2012

Dancing Astronaut’s Top Tracks of December

Want an easy way to make sure you are up to date on all the latest, best music? Dancing Astronaut takes a look at the top 10 tracks officially released in December and ranks them based on a combination of reader feedback, track quality, editorial preference & critical reception.

Dancing Astronaut wraps up December for you with another edition of our top 10 tracks of the month. December’s list features massive tracks from reader favorites Alesso, Avicii with Nicky Romero, Fedde Le Grand, Afrojack, and more. Not to be missed are also fantastic efforts from W&W, Mat Zo with Porter Robinson, and Maya Jane Coles. Click past the break for our top 10 tracks of December!

10. Kaskade & Swanky Tunes – No One Knows Who We Are (Original Mix)

When Swanky Tunes got their hands on Kaskade’s “Eyes” last year, the combined forces made for a monstrous sound — little did we know they would come together for an original production in 2012. The all American DJ and Russian trio have now linked up for “No One Knows Who We Are,” a colossal effort translatable across dance music that has been tested and proven across the nation on his Freaks of Nature Tour.

9. Maya Jane Coles – Easier To Hide (Original Mix)

Ahead of her new label called I Am Me Recordings, Maya released a four-track EP that ranges from down-tempo to peak-time house. The title track, “Easier to Hide,” relies on melodic structure and draws up lyrics on the grief that can only be felt from a broken heart. Easily a top track of the month, “Easier To Hide” is an impressive effort from the 25-year-old wunderkind and  Resident Advisors Top 10 dominator.

8. Fedde Le Grand – Raw (Original Mix)

Fedde Le Grand graced Decemeber with another club rocking, dance floor rattling, scene shaking production. Wrapping up a monster year that included releases such as “Sparks” and “Zdarlight,” Fedde’s final offering of the year as been “RAW” in every sense of the word. Working with Nicky Romero and Deniz Koyu on previous efforts, Fedde took the solo route on his latest project, displaying his individual talents and letting them shine.

7. Arty – When I See You (Alesso Mix)

2012 has been an incredible year for Refune‘s shining star, Alesso. Rather than resting on his laurels the young Swede is finishing out the year strong. First with his release of “Clash” and now with his glowing mix of Arty’s “When I See You,”Alesso has shown no signs of slowing down even as the year is about to wrap up. Expansive and inviting, Alesso‘s spin leaves much of the original untouched, utilizing lush pads and subtly layered synthwork to create a powerful progressive statement without jeopardizing Arty’s elegant composition.

6. A-Trak & Tommy Trash – Tuna Melt (Original Mix)

A-Trak hit us hard this month with a well diversified EP packed with four infectious tracks. Tuna Melt starts off with the title track — a collaboration with Tommy Trash – the synth-driven tune unloads a vibrating bassline midway through before being met with an echoing vocal. An obvious club banger, “Tuna Melt” launched the short-lived EP with pushing electro vibes.

5. W&W – Lift Off (Original Mix)

Although it has been a few months since W&W released their single “Moscow” and even longer since “Shotgun,” it’s clear that the Dutch duo has been hard at work in the studio. “Lift Off!” begins with high synths and a spacey melody before culminating in a stutter-laced drop. The hard trance, electro, and punchy bass combine to gives us a genre-blending production – the expected sound from W&W that has held a spot on Beatport’s chart all month.

4. Keane – Sovereign Light Cafe (Afrojack Remix)

Afrojack has made a statement for his year to come, closing out 2012 with a serious bang. As the lead single off his upcoming artist album, the Chris Brown collaboration “As Your Friend,” begins to crash the airwaves, Afrojack has unleashed his remix for Keane. Much like Alesso’s spin on “Silenced By The Night,” Nick has taken “Sovereign Light Cafe” head on, crafting one of his biggest records of the year.

3. Mat Zo & Porter Robinson – Easy (Extended Mix)

Mat Zo and Porter Robinson have joined forces, becoming the heavyweight tag team of the year. Simpatico on their collaboration “Easy,” Mat and Porter have mastered a ubiquitous sound that has been boasted on BBC Radio 1 and TATW450, and has spread across the dance music world like wildfire as a top notch collaboration.

2. Avicii vs Nicky Romero – I Could Be The One (Original Mix)

One of the most highly anticipated tracks of the year has been Avicii and Nicky Romero’s “Nicktim.” Following months of foresight, Pete Tong premiered the final product, which with the addition of a vocal has been renamed “I Could Be The One.” Easily Avicii’s most contagious tune since “Levels” took the world by storm, his Nicky Romero collaboration has been a festival staple and an instant favorite that has been one of the biggest of the year, let alone December.

1. Alesso – Clash (Original Mix)

After releasing “Years” this summer, Alesso wrapped up 2012 with his hardest production in recent history. Pushing his brand of anthemic house towards his edgy roots, the highly anticipated “Clash” packs gritty riffs and powerful bassline around spurts of melodic interlude. Drawing parallels to previous efforts such as “Nillionaire” and “Dynamite,” Alesso’s advanced production proves versatility and an evolving sound on December’s biggst release.

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