We've asked some of the producers, DJs and tastemakers we care about to tell us about their 2013; what they've loved, what they've hated, and how they feel looking back on another year in electronic music. Here's Ninja Tune mad scientist, Magical Properties label head Daedelus telling us about his ups and downs over the past year:2013 is, for me, summed up in a time signature, a math equation, a mindset, and perennial mainstay of the dancefloor: 4x4. Don't get me wrong. A counter-current of breakbeats and jungle tempos are waiting in the wings for their time to shine again. I'm not sure how I feel about it being so easy. But this now, right now, is all about back-to-basics pumping, jacking, house.The best thing to come out of the wave of 4x4 was a return to chords. Like, soulfully uplifting melodies and basslines that didn't threaten imminent screwface. Sure, there were plenty of weird ratchet mixes of halftime kickdrums and rolling snares. But the smooth prevailed overall, and as the year progressed, many a drink was spilled for the techno gods of yesterday. Or were they the ghettotech, juking immortals that had nary a syncopation-less moment? Maybe I just need to listen with innocent ears, but it all sounds good when you pitch it way down on Serato.And the worst? EDM will eat itself. Saturated scenes are easy targets, yet we are barreling towards an age where raves get traded on Wall Street. Was there a Monsanto massive yet? Did the makers of the popular prescriptions start a discount when you buy in bulk à la Affordable Care Act? Not that it makes a lick of difference. The underground has soldiered on and will rise again with new artists in tow, and a precious few will make music for decades with terrible names—even if their own.I'm not one for much doom, and I even put out a record of gloom-y electronics this year. Truth is this was probably the best year of pivoting sounds in a long while, and 2014 is set to topple that. Even if it is harder on a Tuesday to hear good music at your local venue, or tune your radio and get something new and inspiring. I Shazam the crickets at night and the phone says it sounds like Cashmere Cat. Who can complain about that?