It’s been another incredible year for the Ultra Music brand. From signing exciting new talent to the dozens of releases they’ve shared throughout the year, it’s no wonder that they’ve held high as one of the most dominant forces in the electronic music industry. The brand as a whole has not only been a purveyor of the electronic scene’s top artists, but a tastemaking powerhouse. As we approach the New Year and look back on everything that 2017 has brought to the table, it’s only fitting that Ultra Music releases it’s annual compilation album: Ultra 2018. Including hits from Tropical House kingpin Kygo, Trap connoisseur Flosstradamus, and cake smashing superstar Steve Aoki, Ultra 2018 is an eclectic mix that takes listeners on a journey through the top hits brought to you from the Ultra Music Brand.
The compilation is a brilliant combination of crowd favorites, heavy-hitting bangers, and some of the most popular tracks of the year. The collection kicks off with Kygo’s “Stargazing.” Kygo burst onto the scene a couple of years ago and quickly made a name for himself with his relaxing tropical concoctions and shot to the top of the charts. This year he’s been busy, releasing both his Stargazing EP, and his sophomore album Kids In Love. “Stargazing” (Feat Justin Jesso), is a return to what we’ve come to love from Kygo and has amassed an impressive 100+ Million listens since its release in mid-September.
Quickly following Kygo’s intro to the compilation is Sofi Tukker’s “Best Friend.” This track has been everywhere, and it’s to absolutely no one’s surprise, it recently hit the Top 40 charts on Pop Radio, and there are no signs of that momentum stopping. The track is a groovy little house number with just the right touch of funky. The duo paired themselves with NERVO, The Knocks, and Alisa Ueno and it seems to have suited them well. Released in tandem with the unveiling of the Apple iPhone X, the track’s play-count skyrocketed, and has been stealing hearts ever since; even earning itself the rank of iTunes’ “#1 Dance Single”. It’s just so different in the best way. It’s a stripped down, driving, minimalist banger that just hits all the right notes for any audiophile. The beat is simplistic, just claps and a kick drum that bumps like clockwork along with a thundering bassline that propels the tune intensely. The latter end of the track introduces some brilliant atmospheric swells that make your hair stand on it’s end. It’s impossible to listen just once.
The album takes a turn toward the trappy with Steve Aoki’s “Night Call” featuring Lil Yachty and Migos, and Era Istrefi’s “No I Love Yous” with French Montana. The former carries itself as a down-tempo trap anthem that kick’s with deep bass, machine gun hi-hats, and a catchy hook indicative of current hip-hop . The latter is a perfect balance of R&B melodies and trappy backbone holding it all together. It floats along with ease, Era Istrefi’s sultry vocals perfectly contrast’s Montana’s silky smooth flow. A killer bassline mumbles along in the background setting the stage for both artists to shine.
I would be remiss to bring up trap and not include Flosstradamus in the conversation, but their highlight of the compilation strays from their typical fast and furious brand of trap. Turning in the processed horns and distorted melodies, Flosstradamus brings their knowledge of hip-hop rhythm to a future bass format with their killer track “Came Up” featuring FKi 1st, graves, Post Malone, and KEY. The tune introduces itself a mellow piano and reverb-heavy vocals before quickly transitioning to swaying synths and snappy snare hits. It’s instantly catchy and layered with complex and ensnaring sound design. By the time the beat breaks apart for the vocals and rebuilds itself for the third and final drop, the sawing synths have compounded on themselves for an intense and satisfying climax.
Providing a quick shift in vibe, Benny Benassi’s “We Light Forever Up” (featuring Lush & Simon and Frederick) and “Summer Air” by ItaloBrothers slow things down for a bit and take the overall experience back down to a mellow groove. “We Light Forever” is a vocal-driven ballad accentuated with melodic guitar, and atmospheric chords that screams sing-along. It builds itself progressively and is a beautiful juxtaposition to the previous orchestrations on the mix. “Summer Air” is a bundle of glitchy, airy goodness; with just a hint of tropical influence.
“Here With You” by Lost Frequencies with Netsky is Ultra’s next stand out production. Beautifully finger-plucked acoustic guitar breathes life into a beautiful composition. It’s incredible how “Here With You” evolved from start to finish; beginning as a dark and brooding guitar-driven piece, it quickly becomes something much deeper. Just as the first verse ends and the beat kicks in, our acoustic rhythmic plucking transitions to rounded electric leads, and introduces the centerpiece processed synth drive that takes the wheel and never lets go. The sound design, vocal talent, and impressive guitar work makes this piece an all-around piece of perfection. It touches on so many different styles, but still seems cohesive and grounded. “Here With You” recently garnered more than 20 million streams on Spotify alone.
Capping the end of the collection is quite possibly my favorite song from the whole compilation: “Pumped Up” by Klingande. It’s a re-working of Foster The People’s 2010 breakout hit “Pumped Up Kicks.” Another guitar-laden composition, Pumped Up opens with child-like vocals singing the signature chorus from its predecessor while a funky, twangy, and grooving rhythm keeps the up-beat origins in place. You’ve already caught the “gotta move” bug by the time the beat kicks in and takes you along with it. Treating itself like more of an indie-pop hit than an electronic remix, “Pumped Up” weaves its way from start to finish with a perfect adaptation of Mark Foster’s original composition that keeps the listener smile while the album comes to an end.
It’s no secret that Ultra has been dominating the electronic music scene for years, and the fact that their annual compilations provide a stunningly varied mix of genres, moods, and energy is a prime example why. Ultra 2018 shows the best of the scene’s producers, and why they’re continuing to push their genres forward.
Check out the full track listing below, and be sure to take a listen to Ultra 2018 on iTunes and Spotify.
Ultra 2018 tracklisting:
Kygo - “Stargazing (feat. Justin Jesso)”
Sofi Tukker - “Best Friend (feat. NERVO, The Knocks & Alisa Ueno)”
Martin Jensen - “Solo Dance”
Steve Aoki - “Night Call feat. Lil Yachty & Migos”
Era Istrefi - “No I Love Yous (feat. French Montana)”
DVBBS & Jasmine Thompson - “Know Love”
Deorro - “Andele”
Flosstradamus - “Came Up (feat. Post Malone & Key!)”
Benny Benassi x Lush & Simon - “We Light Forever Up (feat. Frederick)”
Italobrothers - “Summer Air”
Lost Frequencies and Netsky - “Here With You”
Vera - “Falling (feat. Okay Kaya)”
Filous - “For Love (feat. Klei)”
Chelsea Cutler - “You Make Me”
Klingande - “Pumped Up”