Music

This week in dance music: We unloaded a season’s worth of data, tracking the most played artists and tracks from Hï Ibiza in 2024 and the most played artists and tracks from its sister club, Ushuaïa. We spoke with Kygo about how he once considered quitting tour but is now on his biggest run to date, and we spoke with London-based producer Nimino, Billboard‘s inaugural dance Rooke of the Month.
Over in announcement land, Anyma added an additional four shows to his Sphere run, Tomorrowland 2025 released a characteristically oversized lineup and Rüfüs du Sol announced a benefit show for Los Angeles wildfire relief happening in March in Hollywood. As a bonus, people were extremely peeved that the techno heavy Challengers soundtrack wasn’t nominated for best original score at the Oscars.

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And finally, as always, these are the best new dance tracks of the week.

Empire of the Sun feat. Lindsey Buckingham, “Somebody’s Son”

For a variety of obvious reasons, there simply isn’t enough (i.e. any) new music by Fleetwood Mac these days. Empire of the Sun give it their best shot though on “Somebody’s Son,” a collaboration with none other than Lindsey Buckingham, a longtime friend of the art electronic duo. The song gives Christine McVie vibes at their airy brightest, with the song essentially functioning as a hymn to California, a place that can certainly use some extra TLC right now. A bonus track on the new deluxe edition of Empire of the Sun’s July album, Ask That God, “Somebody’s Son” comes with a characteristically upscale psychedelic video.

Horsegiirl, v.i.p. – very important pony

Few artists have committed to a character so thoroughly as Horsegiirl, the Berlin-based producer who never removes her horse mask, gives interviews only in horse character and writes all lyrics from the equine perspective. What may sound conceptually impenetrable again proves to function not only well, but with humanity, with the release of Horsegiirl’s debut EP, v.i.p. – very important pony. Out on ThreeSixZero Recordings, the six-song project contains the previously released “eat, sleep, slay” and “take it offff” (a pick for our top 50 best dance songs of 2024.) On the newly released “material hor$e” (which is perhaps a 21st century homage to “Material Girl”), the producer posits that “maybe, there’s more to life than farming in the daily” before running down the things she enjoy (diamonds, big checks) all over a tight 94 seconds.

Shygirl feat. PinkPantheress and Isabella Lovestory “True Religion”

The considerable momentum Shygirl summoned in 2024 continues this year with “True Religion,” a bumping and darkly sensual single that comes with added firepower in the form of features from PinkPantheress and reggaeton artist Isabella Lovestory, who delivers an absolutely schorching verse. “True Religion” is from the English artist’s forthcoming project Club Shy Room 2, out Feb. 28th via Because.

Tracy Young, Niki Harris & Donna De Lory, “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life”

Madonna’s longtime backing vocalists Niki Haris and Donna De Lory, who spent 15 years on the road with Her Madgesty, link with Tracy Young, a longtime Madonna remixer, for the slinky “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life.” An update of Indeep’s 1982 dance classic, the vibe here is pure South Beach, with Young (who won a best remixed recording Grammy in 2020 for her edit of Madonna’s “Rise”) layering up rhythm guitar and loads of spicy percussion. Over all this, Niki and Donna sing about how the right song, played by the right DJ, on the right dancefloor can send all your troubles directly down the drain. (We’ll take it.) Out on Ferosh Recordings, the single also comes with a pair of extended edits.

Franc Moody, “Space Between Us”

Amalgamating, as a press release says, “elements of psychedelia, pub rock and space exploration” the latest from English duo Franc Moody is a rousing and obvious yes. The revival style jam (by the pair made up of Jon Moody and Ned Franc) is soulful and warm, giving dance vibes without veering explicitly into club territory. The single is from Franc Moody’s forthcoming Chewing the Fat, a group’s third studio album out March 7 on Night Time Stories.