90. Nadus: “Nxwxrk” [Pelican Fly]

An ode to his hometown of Newark and a reflection on the Jersey Club movement poised to take the world by storm, Nadus’s breakout hit “Nxwxrk” is a sweeping, larger-than-life track that remains true to its roots: Jersey. -DC

 

89. Nicki Minaj featuring Drake & Lil’ Wayne : “Truffle Butter” [Young Money]

When post-“Anaconda” Nicki Minaj reteams with Canada’s most sensitive man and her label boss on a beat produced by Maya Jane Coles (that’s her 2010 house smash “What They Say” grooving benath their rap), it’s hard not to take notice. Genre-agnostic fans, you’ve made your bed, now please slowdance in it. -ZR

88. Steve Aoki, Chris Lake, & Tujamo featuring Kid Ink : “Delirious (Boneless)” [Dim Mak]

By now, this is a song you’re supposed to hate. Yet with a new topline and rap, it somehow manages to endear itself to you through its ubiquity. It’s an instance wherein ironic enthusiasm can lapse into sincerity. More than a year after its release, “Boneless” really has made us “Delirious.” -JK

 

87. DJ Slugo : “Ghetto” [Other People]

This unexpected collaboration between Dance Mania legend DJ Slugo and Nicholas Jaar uses their combined powers for the greater good. Slugo’s heartfelt monologue repeats the phrase “I am ghetto” until it becomes a testament to triumph over adversity, ending with “I am now hope.” -JF

86. Darius : “Hot Hands” [Roche Musique]

“Hot Hands” has everything you want in song: Sultry vocals? Check. Warm synth? Check. Cute name? Double-check. This was the track that introduced women to love and men to romance. No metaphor is too elaborate to describe just how much this song will do for you. -ZR

85. Ikonika : “Praxis” [Hyperdub]

Scuttling and scurrying Akira synths crystallize around chains-on-iron heavy percussion and diving bell deep bass on the Hyperdub mainstay’s creeping, crawling stunner. Rapid fire melodic blatting sprays the whole tune with a neon-soaked metallic sheen, leaving the listener sodden. -JB

 

84. Lido : “Money” [Pelican Fly]

“Money” is but one of many spectacular tracks by Lido this past year. It’s glitchy, punchy and big. The hook begs you to scream in high-pitched harmony with it, while the breakdown rips lesser speakers asunder. -ZR

 

83. Yelle : “Complétement Fou” [Kemosabe Records]

82. Galantis : “Runaway (U & I) (Dillon Francis Remix)” [Big Beat]

Dillon swings the traphammer on the sweet dancepop of Galantis, replacing uplift with bass drop, adding a much-needed edge to this well-crafted love song in a Seafox mask. Is Scandi-swag a genre? It is now. -ZM

 

81. Bonobo : “Flashlight” [Ninja Tune]

Bonobo has ascended to the point in his career where everything he does is treated to a round of applause. This tune is pulled from his 2014 EP of typically thoughtful dance music for grown-ups. Hey, also: There’s a guitar in this track (that’s an instrument, kids). -JK

Words by THUMP Staff: Zel McCarthy, Jemayel Khawaja, Michelle Lhooq, David Garber, Ziad Ramley, Josh Baines, Olyvia Salyer, Dylan Coburn and Joel Fowler.

The 101 Most Vital Tracks of 2014 | No. 101 – 91 | No. 90 – 81 | No. 80 – 71 | No. 70 – 61 |
| No. 60 – 51 | No. 50 – 41 | No. 40 – 31 | No. 30 – 21 | No. 20 – 11 | No. 10 – 1 |