In abandoned warehouses, frat parties with spilled beer and massive outdoor festivals, electronic dance music (EDM) has been a staple of party culture. Of the regional styles that have emerged since the late 1970’s, European EDM reigns supreme over dubstep and techno. The wubs are temporary and barely hold a candle to these three key albums produced by our friends across the Atlantic.

//“Discovery” by Daft Punk (Virgin, 2001)

This album was revolutionary in bringing auto-tune to the EDM scene. Prior to this album release, it had only really been used once in 1997 by Aphex Twin. It has an entire “Guardians of the Galaxy”-esque movie that follows the track order, known as “Interstella 5555.” No other EDM album in history has accomplished such feats. Even though French duo Daft Punk is no more, this album was crucial in helping globalize EDM. There are many strong tracks on this album but the standout track is “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”. This song has been a staple sample for many other genres and the simplicity of the track makes it catchy without sacrificing its integrity.

//“Caracal” by Disclosure (Island Records, 2015)

This album originates from British duo Disclosure. It blends house with artists such as Sam Smith, The Weeknd and Gregory Porter. The tracklist hits nearly every niche. The best tracks have to be the R&B-house mix “Omen” with Sam Smith and the up-tempo nightclub track “Hourglass” with Lion Babe. Although it came around during a time when dubstep was popular, this album propelled Disclosure to nearly worldwide acclaim.

//“VF Vol. II” by Sam Gellaitry (FFRR, 2022)

With a variety of new and old sounds, this album demonstrates how EDM is evolving while staying true to its roots. The magnum opus on this album has to be “New Wave.” It fits perfectly for the average college student because it’s an upbeat track that tells a coming of age story fraught with regrettable decisions and personal growth.