The summer of 2023 has proven to be one of the most exciting seasons yet for the electronic music scene in the United States. Electronic music sounds, in particular house music, can be heard in virtually every other genre, making their way to the top of the charts.
From funky house grooves to subtle lofi, pristine melodic electronica, drum & bass and everything in between, this summer’s indie electronic playlist has something for all electronic music lovers far and wide. Labels represented on this summer’s top indie electronic music playlist include TH3RD BRAIN, Foreign Family Collective, Higher Ground, and more. Here are twenty of the most exciting indie electronic songs this summer had to offer.
1. “FLY AWAY” VANDELUX & TYLER MANN
Featured on Vandelux’s second EP released last month on TH3RD BRAIN Records, “Fly Away” will have listeners soaring high with its out of this world production. Pairing up with fellow producer Tyler Mann, the wonderful verses and lush chords are good enough to give listeners full body chills. Painting a glorious canvas of arpeggios, instrumentation, synths, and emotive vocals, this otherworldly track is the perfect way to recreate your best summer memories. Arguably one of the best indie electronic music producers of the last few years, Vandelux has become an internet phenomenon garnering millions of plays.
2. “I’M IN LOVE” JUSTIN JAY & OPTION4
Originally released Memorial Day weekend via Fantastic Voyage, “i’m in love” is undeniably one of the most feel good indie electronic songs of 2023. Featuring dirtybird’s Justin Jay and option4, this nostalgic yet groovy tune perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being in love. Having put his own personal music career on pause temporarily to focus on his career as a talent buyer and promoter in the Denver area and beyond, “i’m in love” marks a triumphant return for option4 to music production.
3. “I FOUND YOU” (GRAFIX REMIX) SUB FOCUS
2023 has proven to be a massive year for drum and bass producer/DJ Grafix whose quickly becoming one of the fastest rising global stars of the beloved genre. Breathing new life and his own unique style into Sub Focus’ revered “I Found You,” Grafix’s remix could best be described as euphoric, uplifting, and fun.
4. “MYSOUL” SHALLOU
Earlier this summer indie electronic producer Shallou released “Mysoul” via Sleeptalker, under exclusive license to FADER label. This catchy experimental and soulful electronic tune is sure to pull at listeners’ heartstrings.
5. “BY YOUR SIDE” VANDELUX & TAILOR
Also featured on Vandelux’s Dream State, “By Your Side” is a positive and uplifting track that brilliantly showcases the ingenious producer’s production sensibilities. Once again with a formula that stuns listeners with his thoughtful productions, Vandelux for “By Your Side” teams up with UK singer, songwriter, and producer for a hypnotic and breathtakingly beautiful tune.
6. “YKOM” Mitekiss & Ruth Royal
Underground drum and bass producer Mitekiss recently teamed up with vocalist Ruth Royal for the melodic “YKOM.” Ruth Royal’s soulful vocals perfectly combine with the Mitekiss’ dexterous production for a liquid drum and bass tune sure to appease DNB lovers far and wide.
7. “WANNA BE” SWAYLO”
The driving, party ready progressive tech house tune “Wanna Be” released last month from SWAYLÓ takes listeners on a journey to the underground. Continuing to impress with each and every release, SWAYLÓ is arguably one of the most underrated electronic producers of recent years as revealed in this impressive track.
8. “LOST & FOUND” DRAMA & GORGON CITY
What happens when undeniably two of the most ingenious duos from different parts of electronica team up together? In the case of DRAMA and Gorgon City’s “Lost & Found” the result is a lush and vibey single sure to be remembered for years to come. Following DRAMA and Gorgon City’s first collaboration in 2021 “Nobody,” the duos take things to the next level on their latest “Lost & Found.” While vocalist Via Rosa’s vocals steal the show, the brilliant electronic beats are perfectly complimented with sublime piano and ethereal synths.
9. “HIGH ENOUGH” K THEORY, R4URY & STAARZ
Producer K Theory recently teamed up with German producer R4URY and Texas based vocalist/producer Staarz for the interdimensional bass track “High Enough.” Pioneer of glitch hop, nu electro, electronic hip-hop, and festival trap, K Theory’s latest showcases his next level production abilities in this intoxicating tune. With a slew of new releases in the arsenal, “High Enough” foreshadows the next promising era of K Theory on full display.
10. “OTHER SIDE” DJ MANIFESTO
A long-time fan of drum and bass, DJ Manifesto’s energetic and passionate single “Other Side” features atmospheric synths and a hypnotic bassline. The track induces a powerful surge of euphoria as it recreates the search for true love and the longing for one’s soulmate. The release of “Other Side” was accompanied by a dynamic and captivating music video that builds on the romantic drum and bass narrative.
11. “SHAKA” CLOUDCHORD
Austin based producer and guitarist Cloudchord continues to captivate listeners with his laid back groovy and atmospheric chill hop beats. Released back in June, “Shaka” is the perfect amalgamation of Cloudchord’s dexterous guitar and innovative production sure to instantly lift listeners spirits.
12. “TOUCH ME” VNSSA
Released on Diplo’s Higher Ground label, VNSSA’s high energy “Touch Me” is the perfect mix of pounding bassline, acid-house, and hard hitting vocals. This club ready tune is sure to make listeners get up and want to dance. Marking VNSSA’s third release on Higher Ground, she is currently making her way across North America on the Hell Feezes Over tour.
13. “TRAVELIN” (((O)))
Renowned for her work with FKJ, (((O))) continues to impress with her ethereal vocals and mesmerizingly beautiful production. One of the tunes featured on her latest album (((4))), the dreamy and subtle Travelin’ perfectly recreates the peaceful yet exciting experience of sailing around Tahiti on a yacht in the midst of the summer.
14. “WAIHEKE ISLAND” SKREAM & PROSPA
Renowned producer/DJ Skream recently teamed up with electronic New Zealand duo Prospa for the retrofuturistic and forward thinking tune “Waiheke Island.” Named after an island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, “Waiheke Island” is a feel-good, uplifting, groovy, and groundbreaking tune sure to get listeners dancing. Released last month on Skreamizm/Platoon, “Waiheke Island” is a tune sure to be remembered for years to come.
15. “U MOVE” THIRD CULTURE
Third Culture brings together the unique talents of Sacha Robotti and Sian. The title track featured on the duo’s EP, “U Move” is a gritty, funky fueled electro-tech tune that is as compelling as it is funky. Out now on Maceo Plex’s emblem Lone Romantic, “U Move” is an 808 classic that hits hard in all the right places.
16. “NEBULIZER” MOONTRICKS
The chill and funky “Nebulizer” was released back in July as part of indie emblem Westwood Recordings’ ten year anniversary compilation. Featuring brilliant instrumentation and composition from Western Canadian electro folk duo Moontricks, the laidback tune is pure musical genius. Jazzy and vibey, the groovy tune is best characterized by its funky guitar, atmospheric synths, and soulful vocals.
17. “MOONLIGHT” OSYRIS
2023 has proven to a landmark year for rising LA bass music star Osyris. Her latest tune, the cosmic influenced “Moonlight” out now on CloZee’s emblem Odyzey Music is a hypnotizingm laid back, brilliantly arranged bass music tune. Featuring ethereal vocals, Osyris takes listeners on a sonic voyage to the great beyond.
18. “DUALITY” RIA MEHTA & JACK WILLARD
Cinematic progressive house tune “Duality” combines the talents of producers Ria Mehta and Jack Willard for a pitch perfect progressive house tune sure to leave listeners in a state of spellbinding reverie. Released in July on renowned house music emblem Perspectives Digital, the dynamic “Duality” perfectly combines dark and light sounds for a tune sure to win over house music fans far and wide.
19. “THE WAY YOU HAD ME” KASBO
Releasing his first single in three years, romantic indie electronic gem “The Way You Had Me” combines ethereal vocals, melodic production, and groovy guitar. The minimalistic yet punchy tune powerfully reveals the next era of the multi- talented producer is sure to leave listeners wanting more.
20. “AFTER PARTY” BRIGHT LIGHTS
The catchy, club-ready “After Party” was released earlier this summer by 2x Grammy nominated songwriter, producer, vocalist, and DJ Bright Lights. Previously collaborating with artists such as Zedd, Porter Robinson, and 3LAU, Bright Lights has garnered nearly hundreds of millions of streams throughout the years. Now pushing forward her career as a solo artist, the groovy and intoxicating “After Party” hits hard in all the right places.
