Western Music: A Collection of Iconic Big Beat Tracks (Great for Rock Fans Too)

The Private Psychedelic ReelThe Chemical Brothers

The Private Psychedelic Reel

A towering presence of ’90s big beat and a heavyweight in the dance music world, The Chemical Brothers.

The closing track of their second album, Dig Your Own Hole, released in 1997, is truly a masterpiece that transcends genre boundaries.

Running over nine minutes, it’s a grand sonic journey that injects a woozy dose of psychedelia into the big beat framework, and it’s also known for featuring members of Mercury Rev.

Over the relentlessly repeating beat, sitar-like phrases and clarinet coil with a mysterious allure.

In the latter half, everything fuses and erupts in a catharsis that should strike a chord with listeners who crave rock-like dynamism.

When you want to surrender yourself to a flood of sound with no overthinking, why not immerse yourself in this overwhelming sonic experience?

Don’t Falter (feat. Lauren Laverne)Mint Royale

Mint Royale with Lauren Laverne – Don’t Falter (Official Video)

Mint Royale are an electronic music duo from Manchester known for their festive, pop-leaning sound.

One of their early signature tracks, featuring former Kenickie member Lauren Laverne on vocals, shines beyond the confines of big beat.

With powerful breakbeats interwoven with sparkling strings and sprightly guitars, the track has all the makings of a hit.

Laverne’s crystalline voice delivers a steadfast determination to move forward without hesitation, straight and true.

Released in January 2000, the song was a single from the album “On the Ropes” and reached No.

15 on the UK charts.

It’s an exultant number that will win over rock fans as well—definitely give it a listen!

Block Rockin’ BeatsThe Chemical Brothers

The Chemical Brothers – Block Rockin’ Beats (Official Music Video)

The Chemical Brothers, a quintessential presence in big beat and a driving force in the dance music scene since the ’90s.

Their sound is defined by aggressive electro beats that swallow up hip-hop and rock.

This single, cut from the classic album “Dig Your Own Hole,” is their essence distilled.

With a distorted bassline and explosive drums, the vocals proclaim—like a triumphant return—“we’re back with beats that shake the city,” sending listeners’ adrenaline surging.

Released in March 1997, the track hit No.

1 on the UK charts and went on to win a Grammy in 1998.

Also featured in the film “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” this track fuses rock-like dynamism with unshakeable groove—sure to resonate with anyone who just wants to get pumped, no questions asked!

The Funk PhenomenaArmand Van Helden

Armand van Helden – The Funk Phenomena (Official Video)

Armand Van Helden is a producer known for his wide-ranging musicality, from house to speed garage.

Among his works, this is the one I recommend to anyone who wants to feel the raw, early energy of big beat.

Fusing the tough texture of hip-hop with the dynamism of house and adding a fierce dose of funk, the sound seems to spark a “phenomenon” on the dance floor.

Its dirty, sample-heavy construction is packed with groove that moves your body on instinct, no explanation needed.

Featured on his debut release, Old School Junkies: The Album, which came out in October 1996, this track hit No.

1 on Canada’s dance chart.

With distorted bass and explosive, high-speed breakbeats, it’s sure to win over rock fans as well.

B–Boy Stance (featuring Tenor Fly)Freestylers

Freestylers – B Boy Stance

The Freestylers, emblematic of 90s big beat.

This track of theirs is an insanely hot cut, with a gritty breakbeat topped by ragga MC shouts.

The vibe is something like “street pride.” Centered on the tough B-boy stance, it’s crafted to stoke the listener’s fighting spirit.

Released as a single in January 1998 and included on their debut album We Rock Hard, it reached No.

23 on the UK charts, a testament to the fever of the time.

It was also featured on the soundtrack of the French film The Dancer.

That distorted bass and powerful beat are guaranteed to hook rock fans too!

BattleflagLo Fidelity Allstars

Lo Fidelity Allstars – Battleflag [*UNCENSORED*]

The band known as a successor to the acid house boom of the late 1990s is the Lo Fidelity Allstars, formed in 1996.

Their sound voraciously absorbs elements of funk, hip-hop, and punk, resulting in a style that feels like club music approached from the rock side.

This track, included on their acclaimed 1998 release “How to Operate with a Blown Mind,” is a remix of a song by the Washington State band Pigeonhed.

Its distorted vocals and earth-crawling bassline ignite an inner fighting spirit in the listener, brimming with the kind of power that seems to raise a literal “battle flag.” It reached No.

6 on the U.

S.

Modern Rock chart and was featured in numerous works, including the film “Mean Machine” and the TV drama “ER.” It’s a number especially recommended for those who want to experience the raw impulse of rock together with the euphoria of dance music.

Right Here, Right NowFatboy Slim

Right Here, Right Now

Fatboy Slim is one of the solo project names of Norman Cook, a club DJ and producer from Bromley, England, and he is known as a leading DJ representing the big beat genre.

During the period when he used various artist names such as Pizzaman, The Mighty Dub Kats, and Fried Funk Food, he adopted the name Fatboy Slim in 1995.

His debut single Santa Cruz and first album were released in the summer of 1996, and he is especially known for the singles from his second album You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby, released in 1998 during the big beat movement, and his fourth album Palookaville, released in 2004.

His selection, which incorporates dance music and big beat in a pop and catchy way, is masterful, and his live show on July 13, 2002 at Brighton Beach became legendary, drawing an audience of 250,000.