Words by Ross Goldenberg.
“Carry You” stands out as a remarkable anomaly in the music scene.
Traditionally, Dancing Astronaut selects a Track of the Year that debuts within the same calendar year. However, “Carry You” breaks this mold. Following Martin Garrix’s introduction of “Flashlights” during Ultra 2023, anticipation for the track’s release surged. As its one-year anniversary approached, questions arose about when it would officially drop. Garrix and Third Party revealed they were waiting to pair the perfect vocal with an instrumental many—including us—deemed already flawless.
And they succeeded.
In many cases, a vocal mix fails to meet the expectations set by an instrumental. “Carry You” is a rare exception, proving that an exceptional vocal can enhance an already brilliant composition.
On a late January evening, we received Instagram messages featuring videos from fans at Third Party’s performance in Opium Barcelona. The first listen of “Carry You” sparked visions of future Dancing Astronaut posts celebrating its anniversary in one, five, or even ten years. Garrix and Third Party enlisted Winona Oak (known as Oaks for this release) and Declan J Donovan, achieving the impossible: a stunning male-female duet that elevated an already exceptional track. Shortly after, Garrix would unveil IDEM—a STMPD RCRDS EP featuring four highly sought-after Garrix IDs—beginning with what would ultimately earn the title of our 2024 Track of the Year.
We were cautious earlier this year, but now, ten months post-February 16, we confidently assert that “Carry You” evokes the same emotions as “Calling (Lose My Mind)”—or “ID – ID” in the Dancing Astronaut realm—did twelve years ago. While it might be premature to rank “Carry You” alongside the legendary track from Alesso, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Ryan Tedder in 2012, we have no doubt it will attain similar recognition in due course.
While we’ve chosen to name a singular Dancing Astronaut Track of the Year for 2024—departing from our practice of co-naming three tracks in recent years—we wish to acknowledge two additional tracks that closely follow “Carry You.”
Our first honorable mention for 2024 Track of the Year comes from Dancing Astronaut’s 2024 Artist of the Year, ISOxo, and Knock2’s Ultra ID-turned-trap anthem with RL Grime, “SMACK TALK.” This track unmistakably reaffirms the vitality of the trap genre. Similarly, our second honorable mention also stems from our end-of-year awards: Dancing Astronaut’s Top Albums of 2024, featuring Justice and Tame Impala’s collaboration on “One Night / All Night.” This memorable pairing was further elevated with a subsequent collaboration on Justice’s fourth LP, “Neverender.”
The past year in dance music extends beyond these three notable tracks, which is why our annual series of Dancing Astronaut’s Top 100 Tracks of the Year—in alphabetical order—returns. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Featured image: Louis van Baar
Categories: Music
