Top EDM Tracks That Defined 2016: A Look Back

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you’ve likely felt it: the undeniable pull of the “2026 is the new 2016” trend. It’s more than just a hashtag; it’s a collective yearning for a time when the internet felt fun, festivals felt united, and the music felt absolutely electric. While memory lane is paved with Pokémon Go hunts and Snapchat dog filters, the true heartbeat of this nostalgia is the soundtrack.   

2016 wasn’t just another year for music; it was the “Golden Age” where Electronic Dance Music (EDM) perfected its crossover into pop culture. It was the year the aggressive “Big Room” sounds of the early 2010s finally gave way to something more emotional, melodic, and sun-soaked. From the soaring supersaws of Future Bass to the sunset vibes of Tropical House, 2016 delivered a sonic optimism that we are desperately trying to recapture a decade later.   

Let’s dive deep into the genres, the albums, and the top songs that made 2016 the ultimate year for electronic music fans.

The Future Bass Revolution: Emotion Meets Energy

If 2012–2014 was about the “drop”, the hard, percussive, jump-up-and-down climax, 2016 was about the “feels.” This was the breakout year for Future Bass, a genre that took the heavy sub-bass of Dubstep and Trap but replaced the aggression with lush, detuned synthesizers and emotional melodies. It was music that made you want to cry and dance at the same time, a perfect anthem for a generation transitioning into adulthood.   

Flume’s Skin: The Critical Masterpiece

No discussion of 2016 is complete without Flume. The Australian producer released his sophomore album, Skin, in May 2016, and it fundamentally changed the landscape of electronic music. Flume moved the genre from SoundCloud obscurity to Grammy-winning heights.   

His massive hit, “Never Be Like You” (feat. Kai), was inescapable. It featured orchestral hits, wobbling synths, and a vulnerable vocal performance that bridged the gap between experimental electronica and Top 40 radio. Another standout, “Say It” (feat. Tove Lo), showcased how Future Bass could serve as the perfect vessel for pop songwriting, utilizing vocal chops not just as a gimmick, but as a central melodic instrument. Critics hailed Skin for balancing “brutal sound design with vulnerable lyricism,” creating a “chaotically beautiful blend” that defined the year’s aesthetic.  

 

Illenium and the Rise of “Sad Boi” Dubstep

While Flume was conquering the radio, a Denver-based producer named Nick Miller, known as Illenium, was building a cult following that would eventually fill stadiums. In February 2016, he released his debut album, Ashes.   

Ashes was groundbreaking because it fused the cinematic emotion of movie soundtracks with the heavy impact of dubstep. Tracks like “Afterlife” and “Fortress” utilized acoustic guitars and pianos before building into massive, enveloping drops. This sound resonated deeply with fans, birthing the “Sad Boi” subculture in EDM, a community bonded by the cathartic release of emotional bass music. Ashes proved that electronic music could tell a story, setting the stage for Illenium’s dominance in the years to come.   

Marshmello: The Face of the Movement

On the lighter, more pop-centric side of Future Bass was the masked enigma, Marshmello. In 2016, he went from an internet curiosity to a global superstar. His single “Alone,” released in May, became the anthem of the “Mellogang.” With its bouncy, major-key melody and simple, relatable lyrics about being an outcast, it captured the innocence of the 2016 rave scene. Marshmello’s rise was also fueled by brilliant marketing, culminating in a legendary troll at EDC Las Vegas 2016 where he “revealed” himself to be Tiësto, a prank that remains one of the most viral moments in festival history.   

Tropical House: The Infinite Summer

While Future Bass dominated the main stages at night, Tropical House owned the day. By 2016, this subgenre had matured from a niche internet trend into a global radio juggernaut. Characterized by slower tempos (100–110 BPM), pan flutes, marimbas, and saxophone leads, it was the sonic equivalent of a permanent vacation.   

Kygo’s Cloud Nine

The undisputed king of the genre, Kygo, released his debut studio album Cloud Nine in May 2016. While he had already scored hits with “Firestone,” this album cemented his status as a pop heavyweight. Tracks like “Stole the Show” and “Stay” were ubiquitous, playing in every Uber, H&M, and beach party across the world. While some critics found the sound repetitive, the public couldn’t get enough of the breezy, melodic optimism that Kygo provided.   

The “I Took A Pill In Ibiza” Phenomenon

Perhaps the most interesting story of 2016 was Mike Posner’s “I Took A Pill In Ibiza.” The original song was a somber, acoustic folk ballad about the emptiness of fame. However, it was the remix by Norwegian duo Seeb that exploded. Seeb sped it up, added a tropical house beat, and created a drop that felt euphoric, ironically contrasting with the dark lyrics. It became a global smash, perfectly encapsulating the bittersweet hedonism of the era. It remains a masterclass in how electronic production can recontextualize songwriting for a mass audience.   

The Pop-EDM Convergence: When DJs Became Pop Stars

2016 was the year the barrier between “EDM DJ” and “Pop Star” completely dissolved. The charts were dominated by producers, not just as background beat-makers, but as lead artists.

The Chainsmokers’ Era

No act defined 2016 more than The Chainsmokers. They owned the year with a grip that few artists in history have ever achieved.

• “Closer” (feat. Halsey): This wasn’t just a song; it was a cultural event. It spent 12 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With its retro-synth chorus and duet style, it became the singalong anthem of a generation. It spawned infinite memes and was inescapable.   
• “Don’t Let Me Down” (feat. Daya): While “Closer” was pop, “Don’t Let Me Down” kept one foot in the rave scene. Its drop was trap-influenced and aggressive, making it a festival staple. The Illenium Remix of this track became almost as legendary as the original, further bridging the gap between radio listeners and bassheads.   

Alan Walker and the “Faded” Era

From the bedroom to the stadium, Alan Walker represented the power of the internet producer. His track “Faded” was a re-release of an instrumental called “Fade,” but with added vocals from Iselin Solheim. It exploded in 2016, becoming the first Norwegian song to hit 1 billion streams. The track’s haunting, atmospheric production appealed to the gaming community and the mainstream alike. Walker’s debut performance at the X Games Oslo in early 2016 marked his transition into a live touring titan, complete with his signature hoodie-and-mask aesthetic that influenced rave fashion for years to come.   DJ Snake and Bieber

We also cannot forget DJ Snake, who teamed up with Justin Bieber for “Let Me Love You,” and released “Middle” earlier in the year. These tracks showcased a “vocal chop” style that became the standard sound of 2016 pop radio. Similarly, Major Lazer continued their dominance, proving that the “drop” had replaced the guitar solo in modern music.   

The Top 10 Electronic Anthems of 2016

To truly understand the nostalgia, we have to look at the playlist. Based on Billboard charts, streaming data, and festival playcounts, these were the 10 tracks that defined the year:   

1. “Closer” – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
   • The Vibe: Driving with the windows down, singing at the top of your lungs. The undisputed song of the year.
2. “Faded” – Alan Walker
   • The Vibe: Late-night gaming sessions and emotional introspection. The ultimate “bedroom producer” success story.
3. “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers ft. Daya
   • The Vibe: Peak festival energy. The drop that defined the mainstage.
4. “This Is What You Came For” – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna
   • The Vibe: High-gloss celebrity power. A house track that felt like a stadium rock anthem.
5. “I Took A Pill In Ibiza (Seeb Remix)” – Mike Posner
   • The Vibe: Bittersweet euphoria. Sad lyrics hidden inside a happy tropical beat.
6. “Never Be Like You” – Flume ft. Kai
   • The Vibe: glitchy, sexy, and futuristic. The track that made experimental bass music mainstream.
7. “Alone” – Marshmello
   • The Vibe: Bouncy, innocent fun. The track that launched the “Mellogang.”
8. “Middle” – DJ Snake ft. Bipolar Sunshine
   • The Vibe: Sentimental trap. A softer side of the producer who gave us “Turn Down for What.”
9. “Shelter” – Porter Robinson & Madeon
   • The Vibe: Anime-inspired joy. A collaboration between two prodigies that celebrated friendship and visual art.   
10. “Light” – San Holo
    • The Vibe: Uplifting Future Bass. The signature “swirl” sound that defined the lighter side of the bass scene.   

Why We Miss the Music of 2016

The nostalgia for 2016 electronic music isn’t just about the melodies; it’s about the moment in history they represent. It was the last era before the TikTok algorithm fractured music into 15-second soundbites. In 2016, songs like “Closer” and “Faded” were monocultural events, everyone knew them, everyone sang them.

The transition from the aggressive Big Room House of 2013 to the emotional Future Bass and Tropical House of 2016 mirrored the generation’s desire for connection over chaos. We traded the mosh pit for the “feels trip.” As we look back from 2026, those supersaws and tropical flutes remind us of a “Golden Hour”, a time when the future seemed bright, the bass was deep, and the summer never ended.

So go ahead, put on that 2016 playlist. You’re not just listening to music; you’re time traveling to the best year of your life.