Deciding the “best” tracks that are released over the span of an entire year is almost impossible. Whie today’s meaning of “dubstep” encompasses many different subgenres, the tracks below represent what we feel are some of the dubstep, brostep, chillstep, and trancestep tracks of 2012.

Note: This list represents our personal favorites – there is no definitive “best of” list. That being said, please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Jordan

Sander van Doorn & Julian Jordan – Kangaroo

While technically a hybrid of house and dubstep, his single track redefined the way I looked at dubstep and also Spinnin’ Records. This track is a fresh take on complextro and I was definitely pleased with it. Kudos to Sander for taking this risk with an otherwise unknown producer, as well.

Freq Nasty – Bon Merde (Liquid Stranger Remix)

Personally I could probably nominate just about every single Liquid Stranger track for this category, so naturally it was difficult just choosing one. Something about the reggae vibes and filthy bass just had me begging for more. This remix definitely deserved more airtime than it received.

Datsik & Z-Trip – Double Trouble

Datsik’s first full-length album garnered some criticism from fans, and while I’d agree with some of them, this is definitely one of his best works to date.

Royce

NY – Music (Bill Posters Remix)

Who the heck is/are Bill Posters anyway? They come out of nowhere and drop this one track that is nothing short of perfect. The mixture of gnar-bass, vocals, and melody come together to form the most undeniably danceable dubstep tuneI have come across. Easily the most slept on track this year.

Document One – Already Lost

Document One is hands down my favorite producer right now. Nearly every track he puts out has the right mixture of melody and mind-shattering sound sequences that just make me want to dance. ‘Already Lost’ is the pinnacle example of this apex producer.

Bytesize – Needing You (Infuze Remix)

Never have I heard a more creative combination of melody and ridiculously heavy bass working in tandem. Infuze creates a masterfully chaotic atmosphere that confuses you whether about you want to dance, or scrape your brains off the wall and try to shove them back inside your head.

Dillon

Kill Paris – Tender Love (Original Mix)

Amidst the endless sea of producers in the EDM world, few artists have impressed me as much as Kill Paris has this past year. Incorporating dreamy vocals with his tantalizing self-proclaimed “Baby-making” melodies, “Tender Love” is a song worth remembering.

Velvetine – The Great Divide (Seven Lions Remix)

Finding the much sought after middle-ground between Trance and Dubstep, Seven Lions style is as melodic as is it is heavy. His rework of Velvetine’s “The Great Divide” showcases the depth of his production ability with varying drops and synth work.

Shannon

Delerium – Days Turn Into Nights (Seven Lions Remix)

This eerie progressive dubstep track starts out with the whispering of “it’s Just a dream” and then gets down to bussiness. Like Dillion said earlier about Seven Lions, his groovy yet heavy style is different than the usual dubstep… especially with his remix of Days Turn Into Nights. Seven Lions’ work isn’t bluntly “grimey” but definitley has the dirty feel, somehow. Its a beautiful track, with melodic and warped vocals and synths.

Rachel

Yuna – Lullabies (Adventure Club Remix)

Between the stunning vocals of the Malaysian princess and the evocative dubstep sounds, Adventure Club took Yuna’s “Lullabies” to a whole new melodic level. These guys are absolute production champions. And for that, we thank you.

Xavier

Major Lazer feat. Flux Pavilion – Jah No Partial

For me, this was the most original dubstep track of this year. Diplo, Flux Pavilion and the rather unspecified other members of the Major Lazer crew did a masterful job of working an old school acapella of reggae pioneer Johhny Osbourne into a truly unique dubstep track. The track has a great vibe to it, can rock a party at the same time and also has a deep message as well.

Tyler

Benga – Hitman

It’s difficult to compile a list of the best dubstep tracks of the year without including the bone-shattering, undeniable bass off the BBC’s own Benga. As one half of magnetic man, Benga has set the bar for what dubstep should be today and his multi-layerd homage to all things deadly is no exception. Creeping bass and spine tingling melodies make this one of my favorite dubstep tracks of 2012.

The Playlist

I started this website in 2009 as a means of sharing my EDM findings with my friends. Since then, the website has experienced an explosion in growth that I never once imagined. This excitement and growth inspires me to make ElectroJams the #1 source for new electronic music.