Five EDM Artists That Will Own 2014

Like it or not, electronic dance music (commonly abbreviated as EDM) is everywhere these days. The bleeps, boops, and beats that were previously confined to drug-fueled underground warehouse parties and action movies about hackers and/or robots have, in recent years, risen to extreme prominence. Nearly all major festivals devote a portion of their lineup to big-name DJs and producers, while some of the most attended fests in the world are primarily if not completely electronic. Las Vegas is investing millions of dollars into bringing top-level DJs to their various night clubs (not to mention the annual Electric Daisy Carnival held there, which became the largest electronic music event in the world when they drew 345,000 attendees in 2013). We even had a few major EDM stars crack the Top 40 this year; I mean, seriously, how many days have you gone without hearing Avicii's "Wake Me Up" or Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" on the radio?

So now that EDM has firmly cemented itself into the mainstream, what's next? Well, the genre's newfound popularity will inevitably lead to the rise of new stars as tastes evolve and change. Here's a few we think you should keep your eye on in 2014 as they crank out dancefloor hits and see their names added to more and more festival lineups. And who knows: by this time next year, you might even be hearing them on the radio as you drive to work.

So Far This Year: Grant's Top 10 Albums of 2011

The first half of 2011 has already proven to be one full of incredible releases and if the year continues at the pace we're going then one can only imagine how these lists are going to shape up at the end of 2011.  Between the big names who stepped their game up for highly anticipated records and the pleasant surprises that have popped up, this year's been an excellent one thusfar for new releases.  Halfway through 2011, here are my favorite releases for 2011:

10) It's A Corporate World by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. made a name for themselves with their Horse Power EP that was released back in 2010, but with a few of the songs from that EP honed and crafted the band came back in 2011 with a full-length that was packed full of catchy summer tunes that showcase the unique style of Dale Jr. Jr.  Their infectious melodies and meticulously crafted songs make for an easy listen through that fits perfect with the summer vibes needed to get through these warm, warm days.  It's A Corporate World is a great display of pop perfection without a weak moment on the record.

So Far This year: Terry's Top 10 Albums of 2011

10. Bright Eyes - "The People's Key"
Conor Oberst's latest outing under the Bright Eyes moniker is a welcome return to form. Though not his best by any means, The People's Key strikes a balance between the vastly different sounds on two of his most iconic albums: I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, a collection of more traditional folk offerings in the signature Saddle Creek style, and the sparse digital sounds of the bleak Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. The two styles mesh better than expected to create a well-formed album, perfect for inquisitive listeners willing to go below the surface and experience the true depth of Oberst's songwriting.

09. The Mountain Goats - "All Eternals Deck"
There is no such thing as a bad Mountain Goats album. The mad genius John Darnielle has shown time and time again that he is not slowing down any time soon: after making music for two full decades, he still manages to weave albums chock full of punchy, hyperliterate anthems that no other singer-songwriter can quite seem to execute.

So Far This Year: Kyle's Top 10 Albums of 2011

10. Bright Eyes "The People's Key" - Any new output from Bright Eyes is always exciting. This, in particular, stands as an exquisite blend of his "Digital Ash" days and his newer turns with the Mystic Valley Band. If you add in, of course, a rambling paranoid (Denny Brewer of Refried Ice Cream (please, do yourself a favor and click that link)) and the Oberst's unmistakable voice, you have the makings of a fantastic album.

09. R.E.M. "Collapse Into Now" - As a dyed-in-the-wool R.E.M. fan, I was trembling with excitement with their latest "return to form," having been moderately unimpressed with their last "return to form," "Accelerate". That is not to say that R.E.M. has released a bad album, as they certainly have not, but "Collapse Into Now" is like running into an old friend.