Top Notch EDM Songs

Submitted by Trinithis on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 02:16
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  1. Several youtube (and other sample sites) links have now been attached to the songs. Unless specified otherwise, I've paired the songs with their correct versions despite what youtube calls the song (ignoring song length and assuming my songs are labeled correctly).

  3. This list is composed of trance, house, techno, etc... though it is biased with trance. But that doesn't matter.

  5. The idea of this list is to have ONLY extremely top-notch songs. Zero fluff. For a song to be on this list
  6. 1) I must love it.
  7. 2) I genuinely believe it's good in spite of my opinion of the song.

  9. ENJOY!!!


  12. Choice - Acid Eiffel [1993]
    (Ambient Acid Techno)
    Simple. Gorgeous. Elegant. Lush. Complex. This song takes it all. It is an endless vista of deep cerulean green with orange acid hues that speckle in the night. Acid Eiffel is the ambient acid song. Don't let the word techno scare you away. This song is very trancish. It stands at over 13 minutes of smooth strings and soft chirping acid. If you have never heard this before, humor me: Don't preview the song; don't skip into it. Save the song for the night, lie down, close your eyes, and simply listen in one wonderous sitting.
  13. Spicelab - Spicelab [1993]
    (Abstract Classic Trance)
    Stand aside Falling! You have been conquered! This song is almost so unbelievable that it is impossible to entireley grasp. It's basically solid proof that you do not need drugs to have a solid trip. Spicelab delves your mind into a journey into outerspace, and you visit the lone recesses of forgotten galaxies. You begin travelling slowly, and as the song progresses, it's as if you have a seemless journey from start to end. Different parts of the song bring you to different areas, and how it is done is simply put, masterful. A word of caution: this song may take more than one listen to appreciate, and it is an absolute must to focus all your attention to this beast when listening. (It's a little over 17 minutes long.)
  14. Spicelab - Falling [1994]
    (Ambient Abstract Classic Trance)
    Falling is the epic poem of trance. It is a massive giant that clocks at 18 minutes. The first five minutes hint nothing of trance... only pure ambience. And then buds into life one of the most beautiful melodies I have ever heard. I remember I used to wish this part lasted for more than a minute, but now I think every part of this song is absolutely and intentionally brilliant. Then comes spacy trance. (The aforementioned melody does manifest itself two minutes later amidst spacey bubble for a bit.) Anyway, afterward comes some rather wicked acid. A few minutes pass, and here comes perhaps the most tranquil part of the song which builds up and lasts for the remainder of the song.
  15. L.S.G. - Hearts [1994]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
    Starts with quality acid. Then at 1:52 comes pure geneus. It's acid, but the only way I could describe it would be to relate it to the distant and despairing cry of a powerful, mythical beast. The earlier acid later gets mixed into this "cry," and then at 3:43 everything stops and comes perhaps my favorite part of the song. The atmosphere suddenly turns about to a downtempo setting, and the wail returns at the perfect moment, blended with the surreality of the moment, and only later does the main acid return.
  16. Mathew Jonson - Marionette [2005]
    (Minimal Trance)
  17. Pleiadians - Maia [1997]
    (Goa Trance)
    Part 2 of the youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W7U5Pv-XbI
  18. Hallucinogen - LSD [1994]
    (Goa Acid Trance)
  19. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker [1999]
    (Abstract IDM)
    Funky, grungy, sleezy. Takes 50 seconds to really pick up into what this song is all about. A funky acid baseline chimes in, and the song begins to teem with some distorted eeeh aaaahh vocals... can't really describe them. At one point they sound "dirty" if you take my drift. Toward the end of the song, the song loses the funkiness and vocals and becomes downright heavy. While end took me several listens to appreciate, it is now a favorite part of the song. When I first got Windowlicker, it was the only song I listned to for perhaps a total of six hours of music listening, and I never tired of it once. Still highly enjoyable to listen to on repeat. Jokingly, I would say if a song could be rate R without lyrics (at one point a woman says something in French, but if you don't pay attention you wouldn't notice) and without highly suggestive vocals, this would be the one.
  20. Moonbeam - Eclipse [2007]
    (Minimal Neo Trance)
    Minimal and neo-trance at its perfection, and I do mean perfection. Eclipse is one dark beauty, it's so good. Starts with a very minimal sound, and thirty seconds later the soft plucking of strings gets built in, and only at the minute mark does the song start to pick up its steam and its heaviness. Later chimes come in along with a soft squelchy synth. But with all these elements, only the 'minimal' baseline is constant. The rest ebbs and flows, and one is unable to guess how the song is going to progress... except in one obvious buildup. And might I say the buildup is awesome, and its end result is even better (ends a little after the five minute mark). This song is a monster!
  21. Sasha - Xpander [1999]
    (Progressive Trance)
    I personally like the shorter versions (roughly 4 minutes) of this song more than the whole version, so I'll proceed with Xpander Edit on the single. As the song starts, 'Xpander' just jumps out at you and doesn't hold back. Although the first umpteen seconds tells a lot about the song, it is not static. Indeed, it is highly addictive, and elements are added it. This is one sythed mofo of a song, so I am at a loss to describe it. Trust me when I say it's exceptionally good. Almost every trancelist (even ones not worth their money) highly acclaim this song. So universally good, any trance listener will absolutely love this song.
  22. L.S.G. - Netherworld [1996]
    (Progressive Trance)
    Begins with a hard, heavy-hitting, deep baseline. Continues for a while with synthed vocals that say "AHAHAAA..." In the meantime, synths are getting stacked onto the base, and then everything comes to a close, and what makes Netherworld Netherworld comes to existence. Synthed strings are birthed while the base dies down, and they truely give the song its name. They are ethereal and pure awesome. While this hums along, more synths are added.... Let's just stop there. As one other listologist said, either Netherworld or Xpander was the best progressive trance song out there, and he's right. (Though I have Xpander listed one above this.) The seven minute original of this song is probably the best version. Other good ones include Moshic, Oliver Prime, Oliver Lieb, and Jules Verne remixes.
  23. Torley Wong - Xristophan (Rare Duet Version) [2005]
    (Acid Trance)
    (Above link is to a different version.) While often incorrectly labeled as "Robert Miles & Aphex Twin - Rare Duet," I have to say that version is the best version of it. (The original is cheezily fast.) One of the first trance songs I loved, this is not only a great acid track, but one newcomers can enjoy. Highly recommended for any trance listener, old or new. Acid and pianos greet the listener. A minute into it comes something that resembles a synthed out flute. This track is great fun, and I have never grown tired of it.
  24. Hybrid - Symphony (Original Full Length) [1996]
    (Symphonic Epic Trance)
  25. The MFA - The Difference It Makes [2004]
    (Neo Trance)
  26. Union Jack - Red Herring (Original Mix) [1995]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  27. Spicelab - The Spirit of Fear [1993]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  28. Alex Smoke - Chica Wappa (Mejor Edit) [2005]
    (Neo Trance)
    (Link is to original version.)
  29. The Orb - Little Fluffy Clouds [1990]
    (Ambient House)
  30. Oliver Lieb - Subraumstimulation [1999]
    (Acid Trance)
  31. Laurent Garnier - The Man With the Red Face [2000]
    (Detroit Techno)
  32. Paragliders - Paraglide [1993]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  33. Man With No Name - Teleport [2004]
    (Goa Trance)
  34. Phutureprimitive - Submerge [2004]
    (Ambient Psy Trance)
  35. Minilogue - The Girl from Botany Bay [2006]
    (Minimal Trance)
  36. Pantha du Prince - Walden 2 [2007]
    (Ambient Minimal Trance)
  37. Tilt - The World Doesn't Know [2004]
    (Progressive Trance)
  38. L.S.G. - Sweet Gravity [1995]
    (Classic Trance)
    (The version on Rendezvous in Outer Space is infinitely better than linked verison.)
  39. Extrawelt - Titelheld [2006]
    (Neo Trance)
  40. Akufen - Deck the House [2002]
    (Minimal Micro House)
  41. Paul van Dyk - For an Angel [1998]
    (Epic Trance)
  42. Petter - These Days [2003]
    (Ambient Trance Breaks)
  43. L.S.G. - Lonely Casseopaya [1995]
    (Ambient Classic Trance)
  44. Kosmas Epsilon - Innocent Thoughts [2005]
    (Epic Neo Trance)
  45. L.S.G. - Wrong Time ... Wrong Place [1995]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  46. The Future Sound of London - Papua New Guinea [1992]
    (Ambient Classic Trance)
  47. Rone - Flesh (Sasha Invol2ver Remix) [2008]
    (Ambient Progressive Trance)
  48. Humate - Love Stimulation (Paul van Dyk Mix) [1993]
    (Ibiza Trance)
  49. Sasha - Wavy Gravy [2002]
    (Ambient Progressive Trance)
  50. Extrawelt - Fernweh [2006]
    (Minimal Neo Trance)
  51. Psychobabble - Inverted Forces [0000]
    (Acid Trance)
    For an mp4 file download this link: http://www.tubefire.com/y/OYjyB4716lQ.mp4. The link given is the only source of this song I've been able to find. If you know this songs date, please post it!
  52. Moonbeam - Sunshine [2007]
    (Minimal Neo House Trance)
  53. PPK - Resurection [2001]
    (Progressive Acid House Trance)
  54. PQM - You Are Sleeping (PQM Meets Luke Chable Vocal Pass) [2003]
    (Neo Trance)
  55. James Holden - Horizons (Way Out West Mix) [2000]
    (Epic Progressive Trance)
  56. Banco de Gaia - Heliopolis (Eedupolis Dog Mix) [1994]
    (Ambient Classic Acid Trance)
  57. Resistance D - Cosmic Love [1991]
    (Ambient Classic Acid Trance)
  58. Telefon Tel Aviv - You Are The Worst Thing In The World (Sasha Remix) [2008]
    (Minimal Progressive Acid Trance)
  59. Phobia - Phobia (DJ Hell Mix) [2007]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  60. Booka Shade - Mandarine Girl [2005]
    (Minimal House Trance)
  61. Sasha - Arkham Asylum [1996]
    (Progressive House)
  62. Aril Brikha - Winter [2007]
    (Epic Neo Trance)
  63. James Holden - Nothing (93 Returning Mix) [2003]
    (Neo Trance)
  64. The Thrillseekers - Synaesthesia (Ferry Corsten Remix) [2004]
    (Epic Acid Trance)
  65. Tastexperience - Tantrix [2000]
    (Ibiza Trance)
  66. Pantha du Prince - Florac [2007]
    (Minimal Neo Trance)
  67. Space Manoeuvres - Stage One (Total Seperation Mix) [1999]
    (Progressive Trance)
    Separation Mix (youtube link) is almost exactly the same as Total Separation Mix. The Original Mix is also quite good.
  68. Marc Houle - Bay of Figs [2006]
    (Minimal Techno)
  69. Patrique - And After [2008]
    (Minimal Techno Trance)
  70. Paul van Dyk - Words (For Love) [1997]
    (Progressive Trance)
  71. Binary Finary - 1998 (Paul van Dyk Remix) [1998]
    (Anthem Acid Trance)
    The original is pretty good too.
  72. Minilogue - The Leopard (Extrawelt Remix) [2007]
    (Ambient Minimal Trance)
    The original is pretty good too.
  73. Jam & Spoon - Stella [1992]
    (Ibiza Acid Trance)
  74. Kamaya Painters - Wasteland [2000]
    (Epic Progressive Trance)
    Link is a live version or something. Crappy crowd cheers. Get the 7:40 one.
  75. M.I.K.E. - Sunrise at Palamos [2000]
    (Anthem Trance)
  76. Gus Gus - Purple (Sasha vs. The Light Mix) [1998]
    (Progressive Trance)
  77. The Youngsters - Smile (Sasha Remix) [2004]
    (Progressive House)
  78. Drum Club - Sound System (Underworld Mix) [1993]
    (Progressive House)
  79. Dance 2 Trance - We Came in Peace [1990]
    (Classic Trance)
  80. Extrawelt - Zu Fuss [2005]
    (Abstract Neo Trance)
  81. Extrawelt - Soopertrack [2005]
    (Neo Trance)
  82. Art of Trance - Madagascar (Cygnus X Remix) [1998]
    (Anthem Trance)
  83. Armin van Burren - Blue Fear [1997]
    (Anthem Trance)
  84. 4 Voice - Eternal Spirit (Northern Mix) [1993]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
    The Southern Mix is just like the Northern Mix, but with the reordering of some parts... the same sound though.
  85. Efdemin - Lohn and Brot [2006]
    (Minimal Techno Trance)
  86. Balil - Parasight [1993]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  87. Banco de Gaia - Last Train to Lhasa [1995]
    (Ambient Classic Trance)
  88. Yahel & Eyal Barkan - Voyage [2000]
    (Anthem Goa Trance)
  89. William Orbit - Water From a Vine Leaf (Xylem Flow Mix) [1993]
    (Progressive House)
    The original isn't bad. It is very housey though.
  90. Shpongle - Dorset Perception [2001]
    (Psy Trance)
  91. Misc. - Metroland [2005]
    (Minimal Neo Trance)
  92. Gouryella - Gouryella [1998]
    (Anthem Trance)
  93. Laurent Garnier - Communications From the Lab [2000]
    (Ambient Abstract Techno)
  94. Paragliders - Oasis [1995]
    (Classic Acid Trance)
  95. Evolution - Phoenix [1999]
    (Psy Acid Trance)
    Link is to a mixed version, so it takes a bit to get into the song.
  96. Booka Shade - In White Rooms [2006]
    (Minimal Techno House)
  97. Isolée - Initiate II [1998]
    (Minimal House)
  98. Energy 52 - Café del Mar (Three N One Remix) [1997]
    (Anthem Ibiza Trance)
    Other good mixes are Original, Nalin and Kane, and probably others.
  99. York - The Reachers of Civilization [1998]
    (Ambient Anthem Trance)
  100. L.S.G. - Bengal Rose [1999]
    (Ambient Classic Trance)
  101. Moby - Porcelain [1999]
    (Ambient House)
  102. Astral Projection - Aurora Borealis [1996]
    (Goa Trance)
  103. Chicane - Saltwater (Tomski vs. Disco Citizens Mix) [1999]
    (Ambient Ibiza Trance)
  104. X-Cabs - Neuro [1995]
    (Anthem Acid Trance)
  105. Ada - The Red Shoes [2004]
    (Minimal Techno House)
  106. Booka Shade - Night Falls [2006]
    (Minimal House)
  107. Sasha - Cloud Cuckoo [2002]
    (Ambient Progressive Trance)
  108. Caucasuss - Our Dream [1994]
    (Classic Trance)
  109. The Age of Love - The Age of Love [1990]
    (Classic Trance)
  110. Push - Strange World (2000 Remake) [2000]
    (Anthem Trance)
  111. Carl Craig - Science Fiction [1995]
    (Detroit Techno)
  112. Three Drives on a Vinyl - Greece 2000 [1997]
    (Anthem Trance)
Author Comments: 

Songs to add:
Nightcrawlers - Push the Feeling On (Dub of Doom)
Tangerine Dream - Phaedra
DJ Shadow - Midnight in a Perfect World
808 State - Pacific 212
Plastikman - Plasticine
Plastikman - Plasticity
Aphex Twin - Digeridoo
DJ Misjah & DJ Tim - Access
Solar Quest - Acid Air Raid
Hardfloor - Acperience 1
Spicelab - A Day on Our Planet
Art of Trance - Madagascar (Original Mix)
Extrawelt - Dark Side of my Room
Solieb - Angular Momentum
Carbon Based Lifeforms - Photosynthesis

JAMOOL12/04/2008

Nice list, I'll be checking out some of these tracks since the ones I've heard from here have been pretty good. What do you think would be a good trance 'starter' album?

Trinithis12/04/2008

Paul Oakenfold - Tranceport is a good starter album, and it is still an excellent album. I personally started listening to trance with The Cynic Project - Soundscapes Sampler, but I admit the quality isn't as good as a lot of stuff. What are your tastes? Give me a few examples of songs you like that are on this list.

karan12903/01/2009

Great list! Its given me a lot to check out :) I love the descriptions for the first 10 tracks.

d9112/06/2009

Be sure to check out these tracks:
- Airwave - Alone In The Dark
- Airwave - Escape From Nowhere
- Andy Ling - Fixation (Airwave Remix)
- Chicane - Offshore (Disco Citizens Remix)
- Microbots - Freedom
- Binary Finary - 1998 (Be sure to listen to the original, not the PvD remix)
- DJ Tiësto - Suburban Train (One of my absolute favourite epic trance songs. DJ Tiësto at his best.)
- Infected Mushroom - Mushi Mushi
- Infected Mushroom - Psycho
- Moonbeam - Cocoon
- Art Of Trance - Gloria
- Gabriel Ananda - Ihre Persönliche Glücksmelodie
- Schiller - Das Glockenspiel
- Probspot - Blueberry
- Cape Town - Pitstop
- Cape Town - Cinema
- Drax - Amphetamine
- Jon The Dentist - Global Phases
- Cygnus X - Superstrings (Be sure to download the original.)
- Union Jack - Cactus
- Union Jack - Two Full Moons And A Trout
- Phuture - Acid Tracks
- Fridge - Paradise