Well, folks, it's almost the end of 2018 and it's time for us all to reflect back on the year that was. I'm a big future guy so I don't like to look in the past, but for music, I feel you hear SOOO much new music that it's easy to forget a track or completely miss one altogether. So since I've been going back on my Spotify history, I wanted to compile what I think was the best trance music of 2018.
There were a ton of great releases this year in the trance genre and all its glorious sub-genres. Whether it was vocal trance, uplifting trance, progressive trance, tech-trance, big room trance, or just old school trance there was on overload of trance this year. Below I broke down and linked to what I think we're some of the “best of's” in the trance genre for the year of. From best track to best label, I picked my favorites in a bunch of categories. Below I proudly present to you…The Best Trance Music Of 2018
Related: The Best Trance of 2017 Winners
The Best Trance Of 2018
Top 5 Trance Artists Of 2018
1. Cosmic Gate
Up from #3 last year, Cosmic Gate has taken the top spot as the Best Trance Artists of 2018. When you have our #2 single of the year & our #1 remix of the year, its tough not to take the top spot. Also releasing bombers this year such as “YEAH!”, “If Not Now” (Club Mix) and remixing Gareth Emery's “Call To Arms”, Cosmic Gate dominated 2018. Oh yeah, they also got nominated for a Grammy!
2. Ferry Corsten
The legend Ferry Corsten comes in at #2 this year in our Top 5 Trance artists of 2018. With his weekly radio show Corsten's Countdown still being a staple in the Trance scene and his UNITY collaboration project breaking the barriers between Trance genres, Corsten somehow still found time to drop a few monster remixes this year as well as dropping releases of FSOE and Flashover Recordings
3. RAM
Our #3 Trance artist of 2018 is one of the men behind one of the biggest labels in Trance, Grotesque, and that man is none other than the legend RAM. Since 2009 with “RAMsterdam”, RAM has been a leader in the trance scene. 2018 was no different with some absolute anthems including “Northern Star”, “Youniverse”, and “Gladiator”. With his RAM events also gaining major steam, RAM is cementing his place in Trance lore for good.
4. Lostly
If you love uplifting, euphoric trance, our #4 Trance artist of 2018, Lostly, is probably high on your lists as well. My favorite uplifting Trance artist, Lostly has been a staple in the scene this year with over a dozen absolute CHOONS including our #5 tune of the year “Distant Shores”. When you get a Lostly release, you know that it'll be a key cog in trance sets around the world.
5. ALPHA 9
ARTY's trance alter-ego ALPHA 9 made his way into our Top 5 this year at #5 with the massive success he's had in 2018. Dominating the Trance charts on Anjuna, Armada, Flashover & anywhere else he can, ALPHA 9 released over a half a dozen monster singles & a few MAJOR remixes including remixing”Shivers” by Armin van Buuren & “My Own Hymn” by Above & Beyond. Welcome to the top 2!
Top 5 Trance Singles Of 2018
1. Richard Durand – The Air I Breathe [Black Hole Recordings]
2. Cosmic Gate & Jason Ross – Awaken [Anjunabeats]
3. RAM & Susana – Northern Star [Black Hole Recordings]
4. Craig Connelly feat. Roxanne Emery – This Life [Who's Afraid Of 138?!]
5. Lostly – Distant Shores [Pure Trance]
Top 5 Trance Remixes Of 2018
1. Gabriel & Dresdan – Only Road (Cosmic Gate Remix) [Anjunabeats]
2. Solarstone + Scott Bond — Red Line Highway (Factor B's Back To The Future Remix) [Armada]
3. John O'Callaghan – Out of Nowhere (Giuseppe Ottaviani Remix) [Subculture]
4. Armin van Buuren – Shivers (ALPHA 9 Remix) [Armada]
5. HALIENE – Dream In Color (Ferry Corsten Remix) [Monstercat]
Top 5 Trance Albums Of 2018
1. In Search of Sunrise 14 – Mixed by Markus Schulz & Gabriel & Dresden & Andy Moor [Black Hole Recordings]
2. Paul van Dyk – Music Rescues Me [VANDIT]
3. ilan Bluestone – Scars [Anjunabeats]
4. Above & Beyond – Common Ground [Anjunabeats]
5. Alexander Popov – Intention [Armada]