Clubhopping Top 10: Essential Dance Tracks for December

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Welcome to our Clubhopping Top 10, a monthly list of dance tracks that have caught us by the ears and feet (not necessarily in that order), with embeds so you can hear them for yourself. This month’s roundup includes everyone from Dennis Ferrer to Mount Kimbie to Stereolab, in alphabetical order after the jump.

DJ Kaos, “Horny Morning Loop (Dr. Dunks Kaotic Mix)” (Jolly Jams)

One of German dance music’s most eccentric characters (which is saying a lot) meets New Yorker Eric Duncan (also of the great Still Going) in his Dr. Dunks guise, and slow-roasting house classicism ensues.

dOP, “After Party (Clockwork Remix)” (Life and Death)

A French trio that specializes in deeply woozy house meet their match in the Italian remixer born Francesco Leali. The result is subterranean-dubby; slow-mo without any decrease in tempo.

Dennis Ferrer, “The Red Room (Obj. Vocal Mix)” (Objektivity)

Pumping, conga-laced house is hit-maker Ferrer’s specialty: see his “Hey Hey” from earlier this year. But “The Red Room” is more acidic (in every sense) than that anthem, and is better off for it.

Horror Inc., “Aurore” (Hauntology)

The first 12-inch Montreal’s Marc Leclair has recorded under the Horror, Inc. moniker in six years leads off with this chimes-driven, low-key beauty — recommended to fans of recent Four Tet, among others.

Mount Kimbie, “Maybes (Live at Berghain)” (Hotflush)

It’s not often that a live version of an album track will get the nod here, but this EP B-side, recorded at the legendary Berlin club Berghain, has a gauzy, teary feel that’s hard not to be swept up by.

SBTRKT, “2020” (Brainmath)

This month’s way-back machine brings us all the way to April, when the Londoner born Aaron Jerome brought out this slinky, abstract gem featuring a breakbeat that’s both crisp and muted beneath those rising string pads.

Signor Andreoni, “Flip Side” (T-Bet)

Forceful and comfortable, this tech-house track is the kind of record a DJ puts on to let you know things are about to heat up.

Stereolab, “Silver Sands (Emperor Machine Mix)” (Domino) Yes, the unquestioned highlight of what appears to be Stereolab’s final album is a remix: 10.5 minutes of analog-synth exploration that keeps changing focus while remaining involving.

Thugfucker, “Disco Gnome (Tale of Us Version)” (Life and Death)

Sing along: “We came here to party / Join together, everybody, let’s celebrate (party goin’ on) / It’s a holiday (there’s a party goin’ on).” Considering the lovely, basic house track that houses those lyrics, how can you not, even through all those filters?

Walls, “Gaberdine (Truffle Shuffle’s Epic Stoner Mix)” (Kompakt Digital) Sometimes a remix’s subtitle really does say it all.