Marshmallow Gun's Top 10 Songs of 2012 - Progressive House

The Progressive House genre has received a lot more recognition this year. People like Avicii took the role of Progressive House king and produced hit after hit. Up coming artists like Dubvision played the prince part and produced gems that are only known by the hardcore Progressive House fans. This year I've come across many Progressive House producers who rose to the top of the music chain and who are at the bottom of the chain but quickly rising. Jakob Liedholm rose to phenomenal success in such a short time through his irresistible drums and catchy synths. Zedd dropped his anticipated album Clarity creating many memorable songs such as the song Clarity. So many things had happen in the Progressive House genre and I only see nothing but success in 2013. With that being said, here are my top 10 songs of this year.

**Note there are a lot of tracks that I could have/could have not listen to. This is merely my opinion as these are the tracks that stuck out to me. Also I decided not list which is 1 to 10 as I feel like each song has its own strengths and weaknesses.


Syke'n'Sugarstarr & Jay Sebag - Like That Sound (Dubvision Remix) [June 4, 2012]


Dubvision has been an amazing Progressive House group this year. With their tracks like All By Myself and You & I, they have quickly risen to the top of the genre earning respect from other artists like Armin Van Buuren, Steve Aoki, and Basto. One song in particular caught my interest and that is their remix of Syke'n'Sugarstarr & Jay Sebag's Like That Sound. From about 1:30 to 2:30, you listen to one of the best Progressive House cords I've ever heard. Just those cords alone placed this song in the top 10.





Basto - I Rave You [May 28, 2012]

Basto has to be one of my favorite kept secret. He is by far one of the artists that has been producing hits under the radar. Tracks such as Gregory's Theme has caught a lot of attention from the EDM Community and this track I Rave You (released under Spinnin' Records) has lifted him from the dark light to the spot light. The track is just insane after the drop. It is one of the darkest synths I've heard for a Progressive House track in the longest. The combination of an uplifting build with a dark and dirty drop will only add excitement to the listener!





Hardwell Ft. Showtek - How We Do [July 30, 2012]

Hardwell is just an absolute beast this year! With his hits like Apollo (which just recently came out) and Three Triangles, 2012 is definitely his year as a producer. Also with his record label Revealed Recordings, which has put out banger after banger for consecutive months, Hardwell is on top of the world at this moment. While he is touring around the world and managing a successful label, he found time to work with Hardstyle duo Showtek on a track which I thought completely caught most people off their guard. The song from start to finish is just a banger. From the catchy synths to Hardwell saying "Yeeeah thats how we do." everything is mushed up to perfection!





Grant Smillie & Walden Ft. Zoe Badwi - A Million Lights (Youngs Bombs Remix) [September 7, 2012]

I'm sure most people haven't heard of either Grant Smillie, Walden, or Zoe Badwi. It's okay because they are up and coming produces from the down south and they are on the rise so be sure to check them out! But this remix that the Young Bombs did hit a chord. I thought it was well remixed from start to finish. From the vocals to the synths, this track is uplifting overall. I'm not sure if many DJ's played this track but I honestly think they should be recognized for making a Progressive House anthem! So be sure to check this song out, you won't regret it.





Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Lonczinski Remix) [August 6, 2012]

This guy is another best kept secret. Lonczinski is a Brazilian producer who cannot stop producing hits! I repeat, cannot stop producing hits! His remix of Summertime Sadness is absolutely one of the BEST remixes of this song. I kid you not, If you don't believe me, the link is below and you can be the judge. From the piano chords to the rising synth, he just knew how to craft a master piece. I cannot wait for this guy to hit the spotlight!






Yuna - Live Your Life (Jakob Liedholm & DJ Carnage Remix) [May 30th, 2012]

Jakob Liedholm is one of Progressive House's top producer of this year. This guy rose to fame in such a short amount of time, its ridiculous! I think the song that started his path to stardom was this remix. This remix got so much attention that it became an official remix! The one thing that struck me the most was the build. The vocals meshed up with the synths, it felt like an original mix more than anything. Once you hear the drop, your done...nothing else you can do but to dance your ass off. It's that great!






Steve Angello & Third Party - Lights [October 26, 2012]

Third Party and Steve Angello are one of the top Progressive House producers right now. I heard this track back when Skrillex did a podcast with Bonnaroo and I couldn't believe that Steve Angello did this track. I was partially right but It turned out Third Party was apart of the track. I love the synth in this track. Its just absolutely mind blowing every time I hear this track! I think it was well composed from start to finish.





Avicii - Silhouettes [May 4, 2012]

What is a top 2012 songs without Avicii? Well I'm sure a lot of people are annoyed with Levels and the remixes, but I think this track is better than Levels. It sounds like Levels but It has a light note than levels. The music video is absolutely weird. If you haven't had the chance to watch the video, you have to go on YouTube and watch it! The piano chords are catchy as hell. Also the vocals are just perfect with this song, I mean "We come a long way since that day and we will never look back at the fade silhouette." I'm sure that has a lot of meaning to Avicii and his career and other people who can relate. Overall this song is oozing with authenticity.





Arty, Matisse & Sadko - Trio [March 5, 2012]

No Arty, no party? I believe so, I've always been a fan of Arty since 2011 when he came to California and played at this small rave. By far Synapse Dynamics (Arty Remix) will forever be my favorite track from him but wow Trio is just another story. Arty made this perfect transition to the Progressive House scene with this track and I think Matisse & Sadko played a key role in this track. I remember going bonkers when I heard this track at Insomniac's Beyond Wonderland in Southern California. It has this Trance feel but yet a progressive synths.





Mat Zo & Porter Robinson - Easy [December 17, 2012]

"Cause nothing new is easy". I think thats true. I heard this track at the final Trance Around The World and when Mat Zo dropped this track, I couldn't believe what I was listening to. From start to finish I replayed the track over and over and well I couldn't get enough of it. I still can't get enough of it as It will be played by every major DJ in 2013. The combination of Trance with Mat Zo and Electro/Progressive House from Porter Robinson creates this euphoric synths and catchy patterns. This song is irresistible and even though it just came out it deserves a spot in this year.






Honorable Mention

Nicky Romero & Zedd - Human (Gatzby Remix) [TBA]

Gatzby is one crazy ass producer. He is a gem when it comes to producing Progressive House. This remix in particular has to be one of the best Human remixes I've ever heard! He is something special which is why this track deserves an honorable mention in this list!