Opinion: All of deadmau5’s Studio Albums, Ranked

3. Random Album Title – (2008)

A breakout album is always special, and deadmau5 made his count as much as any. It was his first album to hit major global charts, reaching 3 in both the UK and US ‘Dance Album’ charts. His first release in his now infamous feud with Ultra Records, Random Album Title signaled the beginning of the deadmau5 your cousins and co-workers unwittingly discuss when they bring up dead-mow-five. Although they’d never be able to pick out the difference between Faxing Berlin, Alone With You, and Arguru, it is Random Album Title that is responsible for picking-up popular interest in deadmau5, and EDM, in 2008 and beyond.

2. For Lack of a Better Name – (2009)

Beginning with the forceful FML, and turning into some fun with Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff (and Moar…), For Lack of a Better Name is ten-tracks of pure mau5-heaven. Featuring a darker, edgier, harder-hitting sound than previous releases throughout the majority of the album, For Lack of a Better Name is another of deadmau5’s works that is brilliant in continuous mix form. And then there’s Strobe. The ten-minute spectacle is one of dance music’s true gems, whether it’s experienced as a track, in a mix, or live in-person.

Throwing that on a trim, highly-efficient album with the heavy-hitting tracks mentioned before, and you have the recipe for a great release. So great, that For Lack of a Better Name would be the first of deadmau5’s studio albums to chart in several countries, such as Ireland, Australia, Canada, UK, and the US. It’s easy to enjoy, and like most deadmau5 releases, begs for listen after listen.

1. 4×4=12 – (2010)

This album is incredible, and the best of a bright bunch of works from a masterful artist. Like most of Zimmerman’s works, the opening track is banger, and one of his all-time best in Some Chords. Continuing the hard-and-heavy sound from For Lack of a Better Name, deadmau5 adds some even heavier bass in 4×4=12, and utilizes it to perfection. There’s also Cthulu Sleeps, reminding us of early deadmau5 productions, and Right This Second, which could easily fit in on while(1<2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzlVPCCPFs0&list=PL5A408DF7FB9A7F06

Two tunes with SOFI are additional highlights on the album, further evidence of deadmau5’s incredible ability to work with a wide-variety of vocalists. But there’s a song on 4×4=12 that puts the album, and deadmau5, on the top of this, and many other lists. Raise Your Weapon, featuring the vocals of Greta Svabo Bech, is one of his best productions, and a favorite of fans around the world. The piano-led intro draws the listener in like a Sirens’ song, before the beat pushes right into all of the wubs any basshead could ask for. It’s a fantastic tune, on a brilliant album, released at exactly the right moment.

4×4=12 was also, at the time, deadmau5’s most commercially successful album. Reaching the top-10 on charts in the US, Canada, and Australia, as well as charting in nearly a dozen countries, 4×4=12 was nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album at the 54th Grammy Awards. The album, our favorite of them all, cemented deadmau5’s place among the best in an ever-growing pool of artists.

Of course, everyone has their own, personal favorite and least-favorite deadmau5 tunes and albums. Let us know what you think of deadmau5’s latest work, and which of his albums are your favorite! Comment below, on Facebook, or reply on Twitter!