Tim Kusnierek’s Top 10 Remixes Of 2015

2015 has been a huge year for electronic dance music. Every genre pushed a raw, authentic sound design, with general exploration proving to be a constant theme - something that's set to continue into 2016. Tracks tended to fork into either blunt force aggression or emotive melodies, with a few straddling the two beautifully, and even fewer breaking through all existing categories. Trap cleansed its frequencies with aerated lead/bass combos, while dubstep leaned for intense, synthesized assaults; bass house picked up dubstep's position as the new womp genre, throwing in four-on-the-floor to structure wobbles; future bass plucked inspiration straight from our dreams, and tropical undertones seeped into the mainstream, turning heads back towards the greater realm of dance music. While it would be impossible to boil down the all of the year’s best remixes into just 10 tracks, here’s a list of those we thought captured the essence of 2015. 1) GTA - Red Lips (Skrillex Remix) After opening nearly every show this year with his version of GTA’s “Red Lips,” Skrillex has finally released the remix of the year. The influence of Trollphace here is undeniable, and combined with Skrillex’s impeccable production talent, it’s no wonder why “Red Lips” hits so hard. Crackling under a thunderous storm, ominous vocals, menacing sound design, and a bristling drop make this tune a beast. Worlds apart from his work with Jack Ü, "Red Lips" is a reminder of why we fell in love with Sonny in the first place. 2) Odesza feat. Shy Girls – All We Need (Dzeko & Torres Remix) Dzeko & Torres owned the sound of progressive house for 2015 with their remix of “All We Need.” Zipping leads are drawn into a crushing melody while bursting vocals send the tune into an ecstatic breakdown. Rebounding mids accentuate the topline beautifully, and the bass arrangement provides a stoic platform for the "so good, it's almost painful" synth lead. Dzeko & Torres just know how to make us happy, and this remix is some of their best work yet. 3) Banks – Beggin For Thread (Hotel Garuda & Gryffin Remix) Absolutely destroying Banks’ original record, Hotel Garuda and Gryffin came together for the best tropical house remix of 2015, hands-down. Implementing heart-tugging synth pads and a meandering guitar riff to throw your mind into the clouds, this remix gets off to an impeccable start. Ethereal scats seal the melody as a bona fide classic, and Banks’ vocals are utilized to perfection over a zealous bassline. Miles apart from the original mix, this rendition is the perfect complement to a drive through sunrise. 4) Porter Robinson – Flicker (Mat Zo Remix) Porter’s Worlds is now considered a classic, and to be featured on the highly anticipated Worlds Remixed is no small honor. Mat Zo spins his “Flicker” remix effortlessly here, letting all of Porter’s emotive melodies shine through as a dreamy funk jam. The ethereal breakbeat is an absolute heartthrob, chilled even further by a playful guitar and introspective string background. But then it's right back to a merciless storm of bursting sound design to reaffirm the vocals, loosely translated as "I’m just trying to find what is important." At nearly five minutes long, we're left wondering just how many ideas Zo had to hold back for the track. 5) SNBRN – Raindrops (Prince Fox Remix) SNBRN’s “Raindrops” was everywhere this summer, and with damned good reason. However, with over five million streams on Soundcloud alone, Prince Fox stole the show with his future bass interpretation, morphing it into a crisply pressed anthem. The dream induced rendition wears on with a juicy breakdown, preceded by lofty bubbles and emotive piano. Moments of breakbeat, gorgeous chord progressions, and vibrant percussion elements tie it all together. Even if you're not into the future scene, the arrangement here is top notch. 6) Jack Ü – Where Are Ü Now (Ember Island Cover) Embodying the softer sounds of 2015, Ember Island swarmed the scene with an inspired cover of "Where Are Ü Now." Taking note from the softened productions of Imogen Heap, the Swedish trio turned Jack Ü’s collaboration of the year into a magnificent downtempo track, reminding us all of the beauty in abstract ambience. Infusing an idyllic blend of synth pads, thoughtful percussion, and idyllic vocals, the brilliance here is undeniable, and the spacial extravagance intoxicating. 7) EPTIC – The End (Carnage & Breaux Festival Trap Remix) This tune was everywhere on the festival circuit this year, and it’s exactly what 2015 was about: harsh aural assaults to make you cringe with joy. Carnage and Breaux successfully explored the opportunities presented by leaving more space in the mix, resulting in a spastic buildup that drops into a veritable slump-fest. That screeching lead, juxtaposed by a full spectrum dose of bass, is more than enough to swing your trap arms and induce your “Oh” face. 8) Gucci Mane – Pillz (Dr. Fresch Remix) As one of the forerunners of today’s bass house movement, Dr. Fresch treated the masses with his own brand of prescription this year, blending classic house elements with cavernous basslines. More than ever, 2015 blurred the lines between hip-hop and dance music, with "Pillz" being a stellar example. The arrangement sounds like it could have been a straight-up collaboration rather than a remix, and the vocal processing supplements the lyrical content wonderfully. Stepping back and forth between bass and G-house, this tune is dark and gritty in the best way imaginable. 9) Knife Party – Plur Police (Jauz Remix) It’s not too rare to have a remix sound better than the original, but for a remix to outshine the original artist’s entire EP just doesn't happen. But this is exactly the case for JAUZ’ iteration of Knife Party’s “Plur Police.” Bamboo shoots rattle to the vocals, audacious wubs push woofers to the limit, and a scintillating recorder sounds the hollow melody. Half-time steps let the breakdown take control of the mix, and the bridge's string pads and angelic chorus only exalt the arrangement further. You'll feel this one in your bones, trust us. 10) Major Lazer & DJ Snake - Lean On (KREAM) “Lean On,” the most searched song on Shazam, was a total powerhouse this summer. Boiling it down to the essentials, KREAM capitalized on the original’s house elements, upping the tempo and tweaking it all into a deeper hue. While still maintaining the essence of Major Lazer's infectious jam, MØ's vocals are kept intact, supported by a plush atmosphere and wispy lead. KREAM spun this remix with class all the way through, and almost 10 million plays later, we couldn't agree more.