Claptone’s unique journey through global dance floors and chart-topping productions over the last two decades offers a unique perspective on the genre’s evolution and its vibrant future. In 2023, house music blew up more than ever, infusing faster tempos with diverse influences from rave to jungle while embracing a rich tapestry of more complex rhythms and grooves. Claptone has long been a champion of the genre’s shifting dynamics – I guess you have to be to achieve the level of success he has in the industry – which highlights not only the genre’s ability to innovate while staying true to its core rhythmic roots but also the artists playing the music to do so as well.
Despite the competitive landscape and the countless critiques the old industry guards weigh in, Claptone’s optimistic vision places house music on a high pedestal, celebrating its inclusivity and universal appeal. His label, Golden Recordings, exemplifies this thriving scene, quickly ascending to acclaim within the community.
As we venture into 2024, Claptone dreams of a genre that revives funk, embraces melody and transcends passing trends, continuing to be a beacon for unity on dance floors worldwide. Join us as we explore the state of house music in 2024 and revisit the genre’s top tracks from 2023 through the eyes of a true visionary.
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How would you describe the sound of house music throughout 2023, and how do you think it reflects global events and culture of the time?
I like that HOUSE MUSIC in is an open field. You can do anything within that genre if you obey the 4/4 groove: Go fast, go slow, use vocals, go instrumental, use obvious samples, stay obscure. But you are right, obviously, there are trends in the house. Over the last few years the music is getting faster and faster, once at a firm 122, it was 124 and now 126 to 128bpm in average.
The faster you get the harder it is to get a funky groove going. There have been lots more Rave, Jungle, and Techno influences in 2023 than in the years before. At the same time, 2023 saw many polyrhythmic percussion and heavy groove/bassline-driven tracks I really liked. Since Fisher/Chris Lake entered the game, there’s a different drum sound, compression level, and energy to lots of houses.
I love the ever-evolving nature of the genre; it keeps you on your toes, trying to blend old with new, find new approaches, and create new sonics within a universe of sound.
Dive into the latest electronic beats with ‘The Best Electronic Dance Music Albums That Dropped in 2023’ – experience this year’s top albums here.
Do you think house music is in a good place in 2023?
Techno has become a big phenomenon again, but HOUSE MUSIC is still in a perfect place. Not all of the tracks coming out every week will be classics in 10 years.
House as Techno allows young bedroom producers to put stuff out faster and easier than ever before, so less quality control, more anarchy. I love it. Overall I don’t see it as competition between the genres. I listen to Electronica, Off Pop, Indie Rock, New Wave, well basically everything I deem to be good music. HOUSE MUSIC is the music I love as a DJ; it’s the music everyone can dance to, no drugs necessary.
It’s fun and welcomes everyone. Real HOUSE MUSIC doesn’t discriminate at all. The inherent values in culture and music allowed HOUSE MUSIC to flourish for decades; there is a strong foundation on which we can build the future.
What are your three predictions about house music in 2024? What do you think will be different about the sound and the industry by this time next year?
I’m not able to look in to the future, so here’s my wishlist for House 2024:
- Don’t try to be too cool for school.
- Bring back the Funk – maybe a little French House flavor – and get over the Tech House boredom.
- Bring back a nice melody here and there. Very selfish wishlist.
- As for the industry: I just started my own label GOLDEN RECORDINGS this year and it’s already amongst the 3 best selling house labels of 2023.
Let’s continue this in 2024!
Looking for the year’s top house music from a year gone by? Dive into ‘The 22 Best House Tracks of 2022’ – experience the best beats here.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
