Best Remix
Sam Smith, “Too Good at Goodbyes (Galantis Remix)”
This year had a lot of super high-highs and super low-lows. For every great moment that happened, another chapter in life always seemed to be coming to a close and this song played in my head at every one of those moments. Sam Smith’s voice is electrifying and Galantis had one of their best years to date in 2017 with their studio album The Aviary.
Best LP/EP
ODESZA, A Moment Apart
By far the best album of the year and one of my favorite live shows this year. ODESZA has been a driving force behind making electro pop a mainstream genre now, and I’m always blown away by their releases. From “Across the Room†with Leon Bridges to “Falls†with Sasha Sloan, this album has the most vibrancy and diversity of any electronic album I’ve heard in a long-time.
Best New ArtistÂ
One of my favorite new artists of 2017, this guy brings such a unique sound to the electronic world combining the likes of Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Funk, and NuDisco. His songs “What if I go?†and “Love$ick†rose to the top of the streaming charts this year, and became part of the YouTube Red commercials. He kicks off his 2018 tour at Flash in March. Can’t wait to see what he continues to do!
Track of the Year
Camelphat & Elderbrook, “Cola”
Have to give a huge shout out to one of my favorite deep house artists Camelphat! Their track “Cola†got nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Record this year and it is totally well-deserved. Definitely my favorite Camelphat recording and can’t wait to see what they do in 2018! Representing the UK proud!
Artist of the Year
From the release of “It Ain’t Me†to “Stargazing†to his newest album “Kids in Love,†Kygo has had his biggest year yet and is definitely my favorite artist of this year. I’ve been following Kygo since his start in 2012 and these last two years have been his biggest ones yet. Although the Recording Academy doesn’t agree with my assertion that he should be in the running for a Grammy, he is still definitely the best artist of the year in my heart!
Favorite Show of the Year
ODESZAÂ at The Anthem on November 25, 2017
Although I’ve seen some of the best performances in my life this year: Gryffin, Sigala, Jai Wolf, Morgan Page, The Killers, Foster the People, Vance Joy, The Weeknd, Saint Wknd, Hardwell, and Zedd – my favorite performance was definitely ODESZA’s at the Anthem! I was listening to “In Return†and “A Moment Apart†for a good month prior to seeing the show, and was so psyched to be a part of that incredible experience. ODESZA has been with me through the thick and thin and I’m so excited to see what they do in 2018!
Label of the Year
Since joining the scene in 2016, one of the biggest industry trends I’ve noticed is that the majority of electronic record labels are still European-based, so I have to give a shout out to the Dirtybird guys out of San Francisco! Their show at Echostage earlier this year was electric, and they’ve definitely come up the scene in terms of creating a state-side based label for good electronic/house production. Can’t wait to see what they do in 2018!
DC Artist to Watch
The first time I met Rachel, I had never met a nicer, more genuine artist. It’s incredible how she’s able to balance both her career in science and her life as a DJ, and it’s amazing all that she’s been able to accomplish with her single “Turn It Out†from 2013. I can’t wait to see what she does next in 2018 and beyond!