Drumcode A-Sides: 12 Artists Share Their Favourite Tracks

Since its inception in 2012, Drumcode’s A-Sides series has stood as an invaluable temperature gauge of techno’s evolving tides, consistently showcasing standout standalone cuts carefully curated by Adam Beyer, while also playing a key role in the career breakthroughs of artists such as Layton Giordani, Wehbba and Charles D, who first emerged on Beyer’s label through this influential compilation. Serving as an annual snapshot of Drumcode’s evolving sound, the series blends emerging talent with established names, offering a clear view of the label’s direction and the broader trends shaping contemporary techno.

Following the release of ‘A-Sides Vol. 14’ on 12 December, We Rave You caught up with 12 artists from this year’s edition to get their take on the A-Sides tracks they most admire from across the series. Dig in to discover the standout selections and revisit the classics, before streaming the latest A-Sides release below.

Wehbba – Fake – A-Sides Vol. 6 (2017)

“It’s a dark, cool and deeply driving techno track with a massive, sustained bass that catches me every single time and still feels absolutely timeless.” – Oliver Huntemann

Marie Vaunt – Dark Room – A-Sides Vol. 12 (2023)

“This has that rare quality where it hits just as hard in a packed Berlin basement as it does at an early Ultra set—hypnotic, stripped-back techno that always delivers.” – ZLATA

Jel Ford – Grand Union – A-Sides Vol. 2 (2014)

“If I had to pick one, I’d go with ‘Grand Union’ by Jel Ford. It really marked me in my early days of music production. I’ve always admired the simplicity of that incredible bassline and the relentless groove it creates. I still carry it on my USB to this day.” – Enzo Monza

“This had a real renaissance in my playlists one festival summer ago. Very special groove that always marks a highlight within the mix.” – Kaufmann

Wehbba – Mantra – A-Sides Vol. 8 (2019)

“At this point, he was already so forward-thinking in production – it gave us a lot of inspiration for our music.” – Teenage Mutants

Secret Cinema & Egbert – Maximaal – A-Sides Vol. 5 (2016)

“I’m a Secret Cinema fanboy! I wish I’d have made this. I’ve played this since it came out, and it’s never left my collection. This track is still a benchmark for me to try and eclipse. Genius. Absolute weapon that still tears it up.” – AdamK

A.D.H.S. – Razor – A-Sides Vol. 11 (2022)

“So, in this case, I’m choosing my own track ‘Razor’ from the 2022 A Side, not as the best A-Sides track, but the most special one for me as it’s been my entry into Drumcode and marked an amazing achievement for me in my career.  I did this track on my couch while being infected with COVID-19. Still amazes me how it went from there to all the major festivals that summer and in the end on the A-Sides compilation.” – A.D.H.S.

Adam Beyer & Enrico Sangiuliano – Preset Heaven – A-Sides Vol. 6 (2017)

“It marked my entry into the world of techno, along with other tracks from back then. It’s one of the tracks that, for me, best represented the Drumcode sound of that time. The vibes on the track are unique.” – Nicolas Taboada

Zimmz – Qualia – A-Sides Vol. 11 (2022)

“It always stood out to me for the way it blends this kind of trancy tension with emotional depth it feels both hypnotic and human, a rare balance that hits you on the dancefloor and stays with you after.” – Mattia Saviolo

Adam Beyer & Mark Reeve – Nine Of You – A-Sides Vol. 5 (2016)

“A timeless techno track with lots of happy memories. Nine is Adam’s lucky number, and I had 9 in the family, so it was the perfect name at the time.” – Mark Reeve

Balthazar & JackRock – Red Village Disco Hustle – A-Sides Vol. 9 (2020)

“For me, it’s definitely ‘Red Village Disco Hustle’ by myself and Balthazar from A-Sides Vol. 9. I’ll never forget the supercharged emotion when Adam played it for the first time and I was there. It delivers a 10/10 dancefloor reaction every time it’s played, no matter where. For me, it stands as a statement of what techno can do – no melody, no hook, just pure drive and build-up.” – JackRock

Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz – Intuit – A-Sides Vol. 9 (2020)

“Choosing just one track is difficult, as there are many that catch my attention. I love how ‘Intuit’ combines a sleek, futuristic groove with a powerful techno drive, it always hits hard on the dancefloor and sticks in your head long after it ends.” – Vikthor

Now it’s your turn to pick a favourite from the ‘A-Sides Vol. 14’ compilation, out now. Listen below: