CULTR’s 25 Favourite Dance Tracks Of 2025

It has been a landmark year for electronic dance music. From the resurgence of 90s rave nostalgia to the global domination of melodic techno, 2025 delivered countless moments that defined the culture. As the year wraps up, we have curated our definitive list of the top 25 tracks. We looked beyond just the best production, selecting the records that truly shifted the landscape and dominated dancefloors. Of course, whittling it down to just 25 is an impossible challenge, so we have included a list of essential Honourable Mentions at the end. Dive in below to explore the standout records of 2025, in no particular order. Let us know which tracks made your personal list.


Swedish House Mafia feat. Connie Constance – Heaven Takes You Home (SHM Remake)

Swedish House Mafia maintained a relatively low profile on the release front this year. The trio delivered just one official single, ‘Wait So Long’, which performed respectably with over 65 million streams on Spotify. However, the true highlight of 2025 was the surprise drop in September of four sought-after reworks that had previously existed solely within their live performances. The group officially unveiled a new version of ‘Can U Feel It’, ‘Antidote’ (officially released as the ‘Belgium Edit’ by John Alto), and their tour-staple edit of ‘Miami 2 Ibiza’. Yet, the crown jewel was undoubtedly the ‘SHM Remake’ of their Connie Constance collaboration, ‘Heaven Takes You Home’.

A standout moment in their sets since its debut at Tomorrowland in 2024, the track’s nature was a long-running mystery; fans often debated if it was a live mashup or a fresh production. That question was finally answered when it arrived as part of this special package. While the group hasn’t commented on the specific strategy, it is highly likely the release was timed to coincide with Spotify rolling out mixed playlists, effectively allowing SHM to syndicate their live set experience as an official partner. Whatever the reason, having this anthem available in high fidelity is remarkable. The track is simply beautiful, harkening back to the euphoria of their golden days.

Gorgon City – 5AM At Bagleys

Renowned for their command of house music, Gorgon City shifted gears early this year with ‘5AM At Bagleys’. The English duo applied their signature production polish to a UK Garage framework, seamlessly blending their house roots with a nostalgic 2-step shuffle. Featuring ethereal vocal chops and spoken word samples, the track feels timeless yet distinctly modern. It serves as an ode to Bagleys, the iconic London venue that defined an era of clubbing in the 90s and early 2000s, vividly capturing the sensory experience of a late-night rave.

On the inspiration behind the record, the duo stated: “Bagleys was the best club in London growing up as a teenager. We were all too young to get in, but we would buy our rave tickets at record shops and try to get in with fake IDs on the door. Luckily, it worked for me every time, and those raves blew my mind. Slammin Vinyl, United Dance, and One Nation were some of the best raves there. The energy on stage and the madness in the crowd shaped me as a person and a wanna-be DJ. I’ll never forget £1 ice poles on the dance floor, raving to DnB, Jungle, and Old Skool hardcore.”

While the duo delivered other notable offerings throughout 2025—specifically their massive John Summit collaboration ‘Is Everybody Having Fun?’—nothing was as authentic or impactful as ‘5AM At Bagleys’.

Calvin Harris – I’m Not Alone (MPH Remix)

From the moment Chris Lake first road-tested it in his sets, MPH’s remix of Calvin Harris’ legendary ‘I’m Not Alone’ felt like an instant classic. The UK garage prodigy crafted a rework that truly respects the original while injecting a fresh, vibrant energy that captivated dancefloors instantly. It was the crown jewel in a breakout year for MPH; outside of this August release, the English talent was a key contributor to Chris Lake’s Chemistry album (collaborating on the track ‘Reach For You’) and delivered his own concept album, Substance, in October. This relentless output followed his previous LP, Refraction, from just a year prior. Yet, the standout remains his take on Calvin Harris. Combining one of the greatest dance records of all time with a bubbly, modern, and respectful revamp made for one of the undisputed highlights of 2025.

Amy Wiles, Leena Punks & flowanastasia – Heard It All Before

A trio of talented female artists collided on the Anjunabeats anthem ‘Heard It All Before’. The track seamlessly mixes old-school trance elements with a wonderful, raspy vocal from Toronto artist flowanastasia (known for her previous work with Genix). The record projects a feel-good energy, with a 90s sound cutting through an incredibly euphoric arrangement.

Leena recalls the origins of the song: “I wrote a euphoric breaks record last year about a painful breakup with very emotional chords and melodies in the drop and breakdown. I sent it to Amy, and she loved it. It was great to see how our experiences and creativity came on this record and turned it into a big old-school trance banger.

It is not the first time the two London-based producers, Amy Wiles and Leena Punks, have linked up—having previously released the 2023 hit ‘Sweet Feeling’—but it has all come down to ‘Heard It All Before’. The track, which also served as a standout on Wiles’ I Never Want This To End EP later in the year, is simply incredible.

Amy adds, “I just knew when Leena sent over the initial idea for HIAB that I had to work on it. The melodies and chords were very emotional, which is what I love. It’s great to hear how all of our styles have come together on this one, turning it into a commercial old skool trancey-sounding banger, and flowanastia’s lyrics and vocals have added that mainstream/crossover touch that we were after!“.

The Chainsmokers & Beau Nox – White Wine & Adderall

The Chainsmokers returned to their signature electronic sound in 2025 with their Breathe EP. Included in the eight-track project (released in October) was ‘White Wine & Adderall’, an electrifying collaboration with Dutch multi-instrumentalist Beau Nox. The Chainsmokers had previously delved hard into the pop world—which for their original fans often felt inauthentic—but with this EP, the duo are definitively back. ‘White Wine & Adderall’ features a terrific vocal from Nox and distinct sound design through the lead and drops. The track operates as an energetic speed garage anthem that retains The Chainsmokers’ secret sauce. While the record still holds pop elements, it is clear they want to return to their dance roots, all while keeping the commercial door ajar.

Benwal – Dive

Benwal’s ‘Dive’ was a pleasant surprise this year. The Dutch talent dropped the record in April on his own NOUW imprint, and it quickly became a staple in the sets of industry titans. Swedish House Mafia heavily supported the track, frequently layering it with Supermode’s ‘Tell Me Why’ in a mashup that became a highlight of their season. More recently, Tiësto has been championing the record, even playing it during his historic set at the Pyramids of Giza. The track itself is a masterclass in tension; the dark and moody atmosphere eventually switches up into an uplifting, trance-inspired garage anthem as it builds toward a high-octane set of drops.

Sebastian Ingrosso feat. Céline Dion – A New Day

Swedish House Mafia member Sebastian Ingrosso delivered a sensational new rendition of the Céline Dion classic ‘A New Day Has Come’, officially titled ‘A New Day’. Teaming up with rising producer Yaro, the anthem features Dion’s iconic vocals over a bed of trance-infused euphoria. The instrumental builds a vocal-like melody into an incredibly energetic and engaging drop, feeling unique yet ready to slot into any peak-time DJ mix. True to the SHM ethos, the record lived as a highly coveted ID for seven months—first premiering at MDLBEAST Soundstorm in December 2024—before its official release in July. Since then, it has racked up nearly 30 million streams on Spotify. Dion gave the record her ultimate stamp of approval; beyond clearing the sample, she actively promoted the single on Instagram and receives a lead artist credit.

Mau P – The Less I Know The Better

After a nearly two-year saga as one of the scene’s most requested IDs, Mau P was finally cleared to officially release his edit of Tame Impala’s ‘The Less I Know The Better’ in February. The vibey house rework is deceptively simple, preserving the iconic vocals and psychedelic textures of the original while driving them with a groovy, tech-house bassline. It is a definitive case of ‘less is more’—a minimalist approach that led some to question if it warranted a commercial release. Yet, the numbers speak for themselves. A staple in sets from Club Space to EDC long before it hit DSPs, the track has successfully bridged the gap between indie and dance, already sitting at 60 million streams on Spotify. Ultimately, it proved to be the perfect modernization of a classic, giving DJs a lethal weapon to ignite dancefloors.

Armin van Buuren & Rob Swire – Sound of You

Hearing the voice of Pendulum and Knife Party frontman Rob Swire during Armin van Buuren’s 2024 Ultra Music Festival set in Miami was an unexpected highlight. That moment marked the debut of ‘Sound of You’, an incredible progressive house anthem that finally saw its official release in March 2025. While Swire wasn’t present for the Ultra premiere, the pair did eventually unite on stage at Tomorrowland later in the year to unveil a second version of the track. This high-octane Drum & Bass rendition, officially credited to Pendulum, was released in April and has since eclipsed the original in popularity, racking up significantly more streams to become the definitive version for many fans.

SG Lewis – Back Of My Mind

SG Lewis kicked off the campaign for his third studio album, Anemoia, with the lead single ‘Back Of My Mind’ for a reason. Released in May, the single was euphoria in a bottle, filled with shiny synths and a wonderful vocal performance from Lewis himself. ‘Back Of My Mind’ felt like SG Lewis had time-travelled to the 90s, bringing back the era’s best progressive sounds to mix with his own signature style. The record was, and remains, the standout on the album for good reason. Co-written with hitmakers Julian Bunetta and Ed Drewett, and finished with longtime creative partner TEED (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs), the anthem is such a feel-good record that it is still a constant play seven months on from its release. Lewis explained the record as “‘Back of My Mind’ is a track about grief in all its forms, and the catharsis that can be provided by music. I wanted to create something introspective lyrically and it draws inspiration from a lot of the music I was listening to when I started producing, such as 90s trance and early prog house.”

TWOFACED & Nikita W. – I Need You

What began as a viral bootleg of Nikita Warren’s 1991 classic ‘I Need You’ evolved into one of the year’s most essential house records. The track first exploded after being championed by heavyweights like LAMMER, Benwal, and most notably Kettama, whose spin of the track during his Boiler Room London set generated feverish demand. A rip of that specific moment quickly racked up 500,000 plays online, paving the way for an official release via the legendary Positiva Records in late October.

Since then, the numbers have been undeniable. In just a few short months, the official version has already surpassed 3.5 million streams on Spotify. For TWOFACED, the New Zealand-based duo who were relatively unknown prior to this moment, the track has been a career-defining breakthrough. With this level of momentum, their 2026 is shaping up to be incredibly busy.

Tiësto, Odd Mob & Goodboys – Won’t Be Possible

Tiësto has always possessed a sharp eye for rising talent, so his decision to unite with Australian heavyweight Odd Mob came as a welcome, if not entirely surprising, development. Teaming up with UK hitmakers Goodboys, the trio delivered ‘Won’t Be Possible’. The track seamlessly blends the Goodboys’ infectious, hook-driven vocals with Odd Mob’s signature bass-heavy sound design, all wrapped in Tiësto’s stadium-sized production polish. It is a masterful convergence of three distinct identities, resulting in a standout record that expertly traverses the line between commercial appeal and underground grit.

John Summit feat. Inéz – light years

Another solid year for John Summit as he continues to ride the wave at the very top. Linking up with vocalist Inéz for the first of two collaborations this year (the second being ‘crystallized’), Summit produced an electrifying record in ‘light years’. While the track leans into a pop aesthetic, it manages to maintain deep respect for his core dance fanbase. Incorporating distinct elements of speed garage and high-energy dance, it is clear that the production was heavily inspired by the viral NOTION remix of Chrystal’s ‘The Days’. The result is a perfect balance, being commercial enough for the radio while remaining gritty enough for the club.

Martin Garrix & Alesso feat. Shaun Farrugia – Inside Our Hearts

Martin Garrix brought Alesso on stage during his 2023 Ultra Miami set to premiere their long-awaited collaboration, ‘Inside Our Hearts’. The pair jumped around as Shaun Farrugia’s vocals echoed out to the thousands in the crowd, creating an instant festival classic. However, this incredible piece of melodic progressive house sat on their respective hard drives for over two years, finally being released to the many waiting in July 2025. The wait for the track became a movement of sorts, with fans creating banners and posting online with the slogan “IOH Is Alive”. Fittingly, the final version was unveiled in a surprise moment at Ultra Europe just days before its release, bringing the journey full circle.

Layton Giordani, Linney & Sarah de Warren – Act of God

Layton Giordani enjoyed a monumental 2025, kicking it off in style with his massive anthem ‘Act of God’. Released in January on John Summit’s Experts Only imprint, the track enlisted the dual vocal talents of Linney and Sarah de Warren. The result was a thundering melodic techno cut where the vocal interplay became instantly ubiquitous, taking on a life of its own beyond the original mix. CamelPhat later delivered their own interpretation in May, stripping back the production to highlight the vocals while transforming the record into a sophisticated blend of techno and house.

CamelPhat & Josh Gigante – The One

At the tail end of the year, CamelPhat reunited with fellow producer Josh Gigante for the sensational single ‘The One’. Released on their own When Stars Align imprint in late October, the record radiates feel-good energy, driven by a mesmerizing melody and impeccable sound design. The vocal work is equally notable, soaring over a production that is deceivingly simple yet devastatingly effective. There are not a lot of complicated elements here; the groove is tight, the arrangement is spacious, and the result is a track that ticks every box. Overall, ‘The One’ is a perfect 10/10, serving as a masterclass in melodic house that proves you don’t need complexity to create a certified anthem.

KETTAMA – It Gets Better (Forever Mix)

KETTAMA had a standout 2025, touring the globe and finally releasing his long-awaited debut album, Archangel, in October. The second single from the project, ‘It Gets Better (Forever Mix)’, arrived earlier in the year (March) and quickly became the album’s most successful export. The Irishman samples the 2003 club version of ‘Damaged’ by American trance duo Plummet (originally by Plumb) throughout the song. The record takes us back to the old-school sounds of Underworld, feeling instantly nostalgic yet fresh. Music happens in cycles, and KETTAMA is pioneering this revival, feeding a new generation with a 90s electronic sound palette. The track’s crossover appeal was solidified when it received a surprising and major play from Swedish House Mafia during their set at Creamfields.

AVAION & Sofiya Nzau – WACUKA

German producer AVAION linked up with Kenyan sensation Sofiya Nzau for the Afro-house-infused hit ‘WACUKA’. Released in January, the track’s infectious lead, coupled with Nzau’s commanding vocal performance, made this an instant highlight of the year. Given that Nzau had dominated the previous year with her viral Zerb collaboration ‘Mwaki’, it is no surprise to see this follow-up become another global smash. AVAION absolutely nailed the production, crafting a lead sound that feels genuinely unique in a saturated market. Breaking down the sound design in an interview, he explained the technical process: “Synth in Serum and combined the Noise Filter together with a trumpet sound that is LFO automated inside of Serum.” ‘WACUKA’, thanks in part to a great marketing campaign, just ticked over 100 million Spotify streams.

Avicii feat. Elle King – Let’s Ride Away (Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman Golden Era Mix)

While the official posthumous release of ‘Let’s Ride Away’ and the majority of its accompanying remix package was met with valid criticism from a protective fanbase, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman delivered the saving grace. The Swedish duo, long celebrated for their mastery of festival progressive house, presented an incredible new touch on the record. They crafted an amazing melody-focused production that feels genuinely aligned with the euphoric energy Avicii would have loved. The progressive arrangement builds patiently alongside Elle King’s powerful vocals, exploding into a drop that immediately established it as a standout release of 2025. There is a profound reason this remix is explicitly labelled as the ‘Golden Era Mix’, as it is plucked straight from that 2012 timeline. Despite being just months old, the track already feels iconic.

Chris Lake, Skrillex & ANITA B QUEEN – LA NOCHE

After months of teasing the track in their high-octane B2B sets, house heavyweights Chris Lake and Skrillex finally unleashed their collaboration ‘LA NOCHE’ in October 2025. Released via Lake’s own Black Book Records, the track is a masterclass in tension and release, blending Skrillex’s intricate sound design with Lake’s signature groovy basslines. The secret weapon, however, is the commanding vocal performance from Anita B Queen, which cuts through the mix to give the record its fiery Latin-house identity. It was arguably the most anticipated ID of the year, and unlike many tracks that get stuck in “ID purgatory,” the final release lived up to the massive hype.

Calvin Harris feat. Clementine Douglas – Blessings

‘Blessings’ stood tall as Calvin Harris’ biggest record of the year. Teaming up with vocalist Clementine Douglas, the Scottish DJ returned to a more dance-oriented style following his previous release ‘SMOKE THE PAIN AWAY’. On Douglas’ performance, Harris noted that she “gets the soul across, she gets the sound and she knows exactly what sound is”. He is exactly right; while Douglas’ vocal is clearly the standout feature, it would be nothing without Harris’ perfect production to frame it.

To add to the controversy, Chicane had a serious problem with the record. He publicly claimed the track was plagiarised from his seminal 1996 anthem ‘Offshore’. While there were some similarities, there was not enough evidence to get the majority on his side, and ultimately Harris himself showcased how it was merely a coincidence. Despite the drama, the record charted around the world and was a certified success.

Anyma, Argy & Son of Son – Voices In My Head

Anyma’s collaboration with Argy and Son of Son, ‘Voices In My Head’, became one of the year’s defining hits, most notably for its hauntingly catchy vocal. Released in February, the record served as a solid melodic techno anthem from the trio who have cemented their status as leaders of the genre’s explosion. Son of Son’s vocal performance was the key driver of the track’s expansion, with the acapella becoming a staple weapon for other DJs who frequently utilized the isolated vocal in their own sets and mashups. Later in the year, Amelie Lens delivered a thunderous remix in August. Her interpretation injected her signature techno prowess into the production, transforming the melodic original into a faster, harder warehouse weapon.

No Mana, Kuspe & Bertie Scott – Losing Focus

No Mana linked up with Kuspe and vocalist Bertie Scott for the mesmerising single ‘Losing Focus’. Released in March via Monstercat, the track arrived hot on the heels of his 2024 album, a project that, while perhaps flying under the radar for the masses, stood out as an underrated masterpiece and a personal contender for album of the year. ‘Losing Focus’ dropped during a pivotal moment of transition for the producer. While No Mana has since pivoted toward a gritty, old-school electro aesthetic, this record captures him in a different light, delivering a wonderful slice of melodic trance. It is a production that showcases exactly why he is such a special talent, proving he can master multiple genres with ease before moving on to his next era.

Ewan McVicar – Heather Park (salute Remix)

Played for the first time all the way back in 2022, salute’s remix of Ewan McVicar’s ‘Heather Park’ was largely considered just a coveted DJ tool. However, in January 2025, it was finally released officially via Technicolour. While it certainly lost some traction after a wait of over two years, the fact it is officially here is something to highlight. There is a reason there was so much demand; this new edit is gorgeous. salute takes the original, which already boasted a standout melody, and gives it a bit more energy and intricate synth work to create something that is arguably better than the original.

Cloonee, Young M.A & InntRaw – Stephanie (HNTR Remix)

Cloonee’s ‘Stephanie’ was inescapable throughout late 2024 and the first half of 2025, yet it was not the original mix that dominated the airwaves. This specific remix served as the catalyst for HNTR, who burst onto the scene largely thanks to this production and has not slowed down since. The track’s polarising lyrics, a definitive ‘love it or hate it’ affair, permeated the festival circuit, with the vocal sample even finding its way into countless other tracks as a pre-drop stab. While the record’s longevity is debatable and it may not stand up in 2026, there is no denying the significant impact it had on the scene during its peak.


Honourable Mentions

oskar med k – Make Me Feel

Charlie Shell – HITZ 4 THE HOOD

SLESS & Loboski – I Like It

Nicky Romero & Sick Individuals – Hold On

Netsky & Andromedik – Out of Body

Bless You – Gotta Move

Dannic & Robbie Mendez feat. Dyson – Falling Back To Yesterday

Matt Pridgyn & Taya Fanara – Runaway

Mesto – Caramelle

Tourist – Embrace

Jamback – Positive

Tiësto & FORS – Bring Me To Life

MK feat. Chrystal – Dior

Max Styler – You & Me

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