The 101 Most Vital Tracks of 2014 | 70 - 61

The first single off the band's wonderful album

Nabuma Rubberband

, "Klapp Klapp" is a heavy-synth joyride for the senses. From the opening notes, to the first lines of Yukimi Nagano's punchy verses, you can't pull away for a second from this undulating grower. -DG

UK producer and Kanye collaborator keeps things nice and eerie on this cold slab of spooked out, rain-damaged, deconstructed avant-electronics. It sounds shredded, fraught, wrecked and ruined. Think Merzbow reworking a jungle tune, or one of the Night Slugs family taking Wolf Eyes to town. -JB

"Down On My Luck" represents as big a crossover of genres in 2014 as Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal's "Dance Wiv Me" did in 2008. Also, they're both set in clubs and prominently feature an MCs grinning from ear to ear in their music videos. But that's probably none of our business. -ZR

While CL is owning her baddest-ness, Big Bang's bad boys front like they're good on a collab that doesn't quite live up to G-Dragon's solo hits but definitely bests Taeyang's "Ringa Linga" in swag. Note: next year we need to figure out what comes after trap. -ZM

Wasted time and opportunities are the themes that have dominated the conversation around Azealia Banks' long-delayed debut album, Broke With Expensive Taste. How appropriate, then, that she eats and spits out these criticisms into this bubbly pop track. Half-sung and half-rapped, "Chasing Time" is Azealia at her best—smart, sassy, catchy, and really good at saying "fuck you." -ML

The first single from Faker's Built In Glass, "Talk Is Cheap," perfectly encapsulates all the raw emotion that this creative mastermind is able to express, convincing any doubters that his album would be more than just hype. -ZR

For those who didn't dig the Pharrell-produced original, this all-Aussie remix pulls through. Kylie and The Presets champion a just do it mentality through heavy basslines and dancing. Consider it done. -OS

On this sleeper hit from Hercules & Love Affair's third LP, Belgian singer Gustaph (aka Stef Caers) attacks his performance with a fire that matches the lyrical heat of lines like "If I burn down the city, would you put out the flames?" Yes, to all. -ZM

Too dub for pop too pop for the dub heads, "Go" was maligned by some for giving this much-discussed artist a new sound. Still, Grimes' etherealism is all the more potent when matched by a weighty bass, courtesy of repeat collaborator Blood Diamonds. -ZM

UK Garage maverick Huxley phoned the old school in collaborating with Roger "S-Man" Sanchez on one of the standout tunes from his 2014 album. Although the tune holds the UK vibe everybody was jocking this year, it's club-ready with no-frills, and finished with that quintessential Huxleyan touch of class. -JK

Words by THUMP Staff: Zel McCarthy, Jemayel Khawaja, Michelle Lhooq, David Garber, Ziad Ramley, Josh Baines, Olyvia Salyer, Dylan Coburn and Joel Fowler.

The 101 Most Vital Tracks of 2014 | No. 101 - 91 | No. 90 - 81 | No. 80 - 71 | No. 70 - 61 |
| No. 60 - 51 | No. 50 - 41 | No. 40 - 31 | No. 30 - 21 | No. 20 - 11 | No. 10 - 1 |