The best electronic music producers of 2023

Editor's Note: EDM.com is proud to publish four installments of annual year-end coverage: industry leaders, DJ performances and sets, music producers and songs.

DJing and producing music are different. But the difference between the two is like a wallflower: it hides in plain sight and is widely misunderstood.

Publishing a “Top DJ” list would undermine the originality, fearless creativity and unbridled imagination of the artists who dedicate their lives to music production. To honor his deep commitment to art, the EDM.com The staff annually recognizes 10 of the year's best.

In no particular order, discover the best electronic music producers of 2023 below.

Whyte Fang

2023 saw the surprising resurrection of Whyte Fang, the long-lost alias of electronic music superstar Alison Wonderland.

Producing dark, dizzying rhythms that could soundtrack a fever dream. Enter the void, Whyte Fang is the result of a chrysalis of white-hot potential that, like a volcano science project gone wrong, was destined to erupt after more than a decade in hiding. And he did it at Coachella, where his spectacular performance added fuel to one of the most attractive music production projects of the year.

At the time, eight months pregnant, Fang put on a mesmerizing performance from inside a spooky LED cage and watched her streaming numbers skyrocket at a rate of 2,000%. Good news for his successful debut album, GENESISwhich was released that same day and became an instant fan favorite thanks to its distorted bass and cyberpunk feel.

^{Words by Jason Heffler.}

Skrilex

With two comeback albums, a historic rave at Madison Square Garden and a totemic five-hour set at Red Rocks, 2023 was Skrillex's year.

Their first album in almost a decade, In search of firearrived completely unannounced in February before your tracking, Don't get too close, surprisingly released just 24 hours later. Packed with genre-defying crossovers and electronic hits, the albums were a stark reminder that Skrillex still has a lot up his sleeve, and with over 30 new songs revealed this year alone, fans have more reason than ever to rethink what he's doing. They are doing. know about him.

Releasing two albums within a day of each other was guaranteed to generate a reaction, but Skrillex didn't phone them in or blatantly cash in on EDM's latest boom cycle. He pushed himself creatively, explored new sounds, and brought many friends along for the ride. Collaborations with Missy Elliott, Porter Robinson, Noisia, Fred again… and more proved that a rising tide lifts all boats.

Skrillex is the rare artist whose work reveals the true essence of his influence. And after the most prolific year of his illustrious career, we're watching a paradigm shift in electronic music production and performance unfold in real time.

^{Words by Graham Berry, Shakiel Mahjouri and Jason Heffler.}

Anyma

True creativity has no limits. As one half of Tale of Us and co-founder of Afterlife, Matteo Milleri has established himself as a standard-bearer for modern melodic techno.

But that wasn't enough to execute her creative vision, so Anyma was born. Milleri's solo project skyrocketed in 2023 following the release of genesys, their brilliant 14-track debut album. Featuring stellar collaborations with CamelPhat, Innellea, Cassian and Grimes, the record channels cerebral techno to evoke motifs of sentience, transhumanism and dystopia in Anyma's quest to examine the relationship between humanity and technology.

Under the direction of Alessio De Vecchi, who was appointed EDM.comBest visual artist of 2023, genesys resulted in surreal humanoid images, which are tuned for each immersive space in which they appear. With a haunting fabric of astonishing digital art and remarkable sound design, very few music producers can rival Anyma's audiovisual spectacle.

^{Words by Saad Masood.}

Nitepunk

At a time when the bass scene was hungry for innovation, Nitepunk arrived with their notable debut album, HUMAN. The project's lead single, “Too Hot To Touch,” is a high-intensity effort that appropriately turned heads, though the rest shows the true depth of her versatility.

Seamlessly blending genres with a raw, grunge style, the Georgia-born producer consistently brought a new perspective in 2023. From the fast-paced, cinematic sound design of “Hyperdust” to the jungle-infused production of “Spider,” each one of the 2023 tracks revealed a different facet of his increasingly intricate creative identity.

However, one thing remains constant: he is bringing the rock star mentality back to electronic music in every sense of the word.

^{Words by Cameron Sunkel.}

aluna

Aluna's multifaceted musical finesse extends far beyond the limits of her commanding vocal and performance prowess. Her artistic identity shined through in this summer's cheeky campaign. Myceliumone of the best dance albums of the year.

But that record only scratched the surface. Aluna is, in fact, a remarkably talented producer who enjoyed a prolific year in 2023.

Collaborating with chart-topping producer Chris Lake, their efforts resulted in two of the year's biggest house records, “Beggin'” and “More Baby.” His creative genius also found a home on “Inhale Exhale,” one of the undisputed standout tracks from Skrillex's long-awaited comeback album. In search of fire. Additionally, she earned a songwriting credit on Icona Pop's huge album. Club Romantec album contributing to the dynamic dance “Stick Your Tongue Out”.

^{Words by Brooke Bierman.}

Alix Perez

With a deep and raspy sound all her own, Alix Pérez is truly unique.

The renowned beatsmith has established himself at the forefront of bass music by taking a contrarian approach to production and an unabashed commitment to risk-taking. Pérez infuses his dark essence into all of his music through expert-level sound design, drawing listeners deep into his fascinating bass rabbit holes.

Heading the imaginative 1985 Music label, Pérez also emerged as a formidable tastemaker in 2023. In addition to releasing one of the year's most anticipated 140 albums, Cesco and Hamdi's “Swing King,” the label released Pérez's mind-blowing album. Thug album with Headland. Not to mention a couple of brilliant drum & bass tracks, “Green Lane” and “CRL”.

After a monster year, Pérez and his cutting-edge production are paving the way for the future of bass music.

^{Words by Rachel Freeman and Jason Heffler.}

flow

It's no secret that Flowdan is one of the world's leading voices in grime, jungle and drum & bass music, but in 2023 he reached new heights.

Flowdan's notable contributions to “Rumble” led to its furious rise as one of the most anticipated electronic records we've seen in many years. He then went on an undefeated streak alongside Skrillex, with whom he released a trio of global hits: “Hydrate”, “Badders” and “Pepper”.

Then came Flowdan's work on “Baddadan” alongside Chase & Status, Bou, Irah, Trigga and Takura. His contributions helped establish the song as one of the most popular drum & bass releases of the year overwhelmingly and it became an instant fan favorite around the world.

In some ways, that's just the tip of the iceberg for the shape-shifting MC, who made his presence felt during a historic performance in this year's high-profile heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou, dubbed “The battle of the baddest”. That title would also be enough for Flowdan, whose raw songwriting, commanding studio presence, and exciting live performances took him from underground legend to global superstar in 2023.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

CUCKOO

PEEKABOO has never stopped growing since bursting onto the scene in 2017. But this year he squandered his full potential, establishing himself as an undeniable tastemaker and one of bass music's most coveted collaborators.

PEEKABOO's big year started off with a bang with “Hydrate,” a collaboration with Skrillex, Flowdan and Beam that landed on the former Grammy nominee's comeback album. In search of fire. However, his career-defining moment came when he releasedeyes wide open.

Spanning 13 tracks, PEEKABOO's impressive debut album found the rising superstar producing a stunning showcase of his signature sound. Producing minimalist tracks with maximalist energy, she teamed up with a compelling list of collaborators, including her own father, who was a trumpeter with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Others who appeared were Skrillex, Zeds Dead and Grabbitz.

^{Words by Konstantinos Karakolis.}

Persecution and status

If you've ever had a drum & bass song pop into your head this year, chances are it was created by Chase & Status.

Starting with the most obvious, “Baddadan” is a truly generational song that has experienced immense commercial success and introduced many people around the world to drum & bass music. Meanwhile, “Liquor & Cigarillos,” her collaboration with Hedex and ArrDee, reached the top 10 of the UK Dance chart and became a viral sensation.

Chase & Status's London-set blockbuster Boiler Room, which was named one of EDM.comThe best performances of 2023 are widely considered one of the best of his storied career. Boiler Room's quintessential performance served as a reminder that despite being in the industry for two decades, they are still scaling new heights as stalwart standard bearers of drum & bass culture.

^{Words by Nick Yopko.}

lily palmer

Hailing from the hallowed techno mecca of Germany, Lilly Palmer has risen through the ranks of the genre, touring the world and dominating behind the decks with her signature slicked-back hair.

Already a staple of the European festival circuit, Palmer's notoriety skyrocketed in 2023 after a tour of North America, where the techno bubble is breaking out of the underground and onto the main stage. And speaking of which, Palmer's profile was front and center as she commanded the historic Tomorrowland Mainstage at this year's festival.

Since last year's release of a pair of stellar EPs, we control and Resonate, Palmer relentlessly delivered high-energy productions throughout 2023, including “The Violator,” “Fall In Love,” and the dancefloor-destroyer “My Fantasy.” 2024 feels like an exceptional year for this prolific femme fatale.

^{Words by Ulises Vargas.}

Honorable mentions:
Juan Summit
Space laces
Rezz
apashe
Knock2
Kaleena Zanders
LSDREAM
jon casey
flava d
point of sale

thanks to our partners at edm.com