Why Music Choice Makes or Breaks a Contemporary Piece
I still remember the first time I danced to Sia's "Elastic Heart" in a studio with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and bad lighting. The choreographer played it once, and every single person in the room got chills. That's the power of picking the right track — it doesn't just accompany your movement, it fuels it.
Contemporary dance lives and breathes on emotional connection. A generic pop banger won't cut it. You need songs with texture, dynamic range, and lyrics that hit somewhere deep. Here are ten tracks that have earned their place in studios and on stages worldwide.
The Tracks That Move Bodies and Hearts
"Elastic Heart" — Sia
There's a reason this one shows up in competition after competition. The verses are restrained, almost whispered, and then the chorus explodes. That contrast is a goldmine for choreographers. You can build slow, grounded floorwork in the verses and then launch into aerials or big leaps when the beat drops. The lyric about having "thick skin and an elastic heart" gives dancers permission to be vulnerable and fierce in the same four minutes.
"Latch" (Acoustic) — Disclosure ft. Sam Smith
Most people know the electronic version, but the acoustic rendition is where contemporary dancers find their sweet spot. Sam Smith's voice carries so much ache that you barely need to choreograph emotion — the music does half the work for you. The rhythm stays steady enough for isolations and contact improvisation, but there's room to breathe between the beats.
"Royals" — Lorde
Minimalism in music mirrors minimalism in movement. When the production strips back to almost nothing, every gesture matters more. I've seen dancers use this track to perform entire phrases using just their hands and torso, and it's devastating in the best way. Lorde's vocal tone has this detached cool that pairs beautifully with sharp, controlled movement.
"Take Me to Church" — Hozier
This song is a slow burn, and that's exactly why it works. The first minute lets you establish a character, a relationship, a conflict. Then Hozier's voice climbs and the drums kick in, and suddenly you're in full-out territory. Dancers who understand musicality love this track because it rewards patience — you earn the big moments by committing to the quiet ones first.
"Closer" — The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
Don't roll your eyes. Yes, it was overplayed in 2016. But strip away the associations and listen to the actual structure: a pulsing synth line, two distinct vocal perspectives, and a beat that's perfect for traveling sequences. It's lighter than the other songs on this list, and that's useful. Not every contemporary piece needs to be a tearjerker.
"Shape of You" — Ed Sheeran
The marimba riff alone is begging for rhythmic, percussive movement. Think sharp tutting, body rolls timed to the syncopation, footwork that mirrors the melody line. This is a great track for group pieces because the rhythm is so locked in that even dancers with different experience levels can stay synchronized.
"Rolling in the Deep" — Adele
Adele doesn't whisper. She belts, and the production matches her intensity with pounding drums and swelling strings. This is the track you pick when your choreography needs to feel like an exorcism. The dynamic shifts are enormous — quiet fury in the bridge, then the chorus hits like a wall. Dancers who train in Horton or Graham technique find this song especially rewarding because those styles thrive on contraction and release.
"Levitating" — Dua Lipa
Sometimes you just need to have fun. "Levitating" is pure joy wrapped in a disco-infused beat, and it works surprisingly well for contemporary fusion pieces. The tempo is brisk without being frantic, and the hook is so infectious that audiences start smiling before the dancers even hit their first formation. Use it for a piece that needs to remind people dance can be playful.
"Shallow" — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
The transition from Gaga's soft opening to the full-band explosion is one of the best musical moments in recent pop. For choreographers, that shift is a gift. You can stage an entire narrative arc in one song — hesitation, connection, surrender. The duet nature of the track also makes it ideal for partner work or pas de deux.
"Blinding Lights" — The Weeknd
Retro synths meet modern production, and the result is a track with relentless forward momentum. This one's for the dancers who like to cover space. Big traveling leaps, swooping turns, sequences that move diagonally across the stage — the beat pushes you forward and doesn't let up. It's also one of the few songs on this list that works equally well for solo and ensemble pieces.
Building Your Own Playlist
These ten tracks are a starting point, not a prescription. The best contemporary playlists mix tempos, moods, and energy levels. Pair a gut-wrenching Adele ballad with a buoyant Dua Lipa track, and suddenly your set has range. Listen to the songs not just as a dancer, but as a storyteller. Where does the music take you emotionally? What images does it conjure?
The answer to those questions is your choreography. The music just gives it a place to live.
