10 Best Dance & Electronic Albums & EPs Of The Year – selected by Claire Beck

1. Overmono - Good Lies

(XL Recordings)

After a string of EP releases, we finally got to hear the debut album from Welsh duo Overmono this year. Named after their hometown of ‘Overmonnow’, brothers Ed and Tom Russell produced music separately for years. The combination of their previous incarnations and influences from techno to drum n bass to old school rave, fused into something special when they came together as Overmono in 2015.

Many Irish music fans were introduced to them in 2020 through their incredible remix of For Those I Love’s ‘I Have A Love’, and David performing the track live is now a highlight of an Overmono show. Ed and Tom share more than just first names with Chemical Brothers. Thanks to their spectacular live shows and consistently excellent output, I believe they have the potential to become THE next big dance act.

I was already aware from their EP and single releases that their production values are exceptional, showcasing the duo’s keen understanding of how to create emotive and memorable hooks that linger in the mind. Lots of excellent producers will release an ‘album’ that is more like a collection of unrelated tracks. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but a dance ‘album’ that delivers is always a treat.

Good Lies is a true album experience, as well as a no-skip collection of bangers. The duo’s innovative approach and knack for making nostalgia sound futuristic keeps me coming back to this album over and over. Their talent for finding samples and knowing exactly how to rework them to fit the Overmono sound is exceptional. Check out ‘Smerz – No Harm’, which is sampled on the title track and you’ll hear what I mean.

Look, it even has a dog on the cover. What more do you want?!

2. Rachel Lavelle - Big Dreams (Rest Energy)

3. Sofia Kourtesis - Madres (Ninja Tune)

4. Barry Can’t Swim - When Will We Land? (Ninja Tune)

5. Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good! (Universal)

6. David Holmes - Blind On A Galloping Horse (Heavenly)

7. Yaeji - With A Hammer (XL Recordings)

8. The Line - Red Blood Cells & Righteousness (Strange Brew)

9. Nia Archives - Sunrise Bang Ur Head Against Tha Wall (Hijinxx / Island)

10. The Cope - Dancer (Be Well Records)