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**5 Must-Have Songs for Expressive Contemporary Choreography**

5 Must-Have Songs for Expressive Contemporary Choreography

Curate the perfect emotional journey with a soundtrack that breathes life into movement.

Every contemporary dancer and choreographer knows it: the right music doesn't just accompany the movement—it is the movement. It provides the emotional landscape, the rhythm for the breath, and the impetus for every fall and recovery. Finding that perfect track, one that offers both dynamic range and raw emotional depth, is like striking gold.

Whether you're crafting a competition piece, a studio showcase, or a personal project, the search for incredible music is constant. To save you hours of scrolling through playlists, we've curated five powerful, contemporary-ready tracks that are currently inspiring choreographers worldwide.

Breathe Me

Sia

A timeless piece that never loses its emotional potency. Sia's fragile, vulnerable vocals build into a powerful crescendo of strings and piano, creating a narrative arc that is perfect for storytelling. It’s a masterclass in building tension and release.

Why it works: The song's structure is inherently choreographic. It allows for soft, intricate gestural work in the beginning, evolving into large, desperate, full-body movements and lifts as the instrumentation swells. It’s ideal for themes of isolation, yearning, and finally, a plea for connection.

To Build A Home

The Cinematic Orchestra

This is more than a song; it's a landscape. With its poignant piano melody and deeply reflective lyrics, it evokes a sense of nostalgia, loss, and the bittersweet nature of memory. It feels both intimate and expansive.

Why it works: It provides a steady, pulsing rhythm that is easy to connect to breath, while the emotional content is open to interpretation. Choreographers often use it for duets or group pieces about relationship dynamics, belonging, and the concept of "home" as both a physical and emotional space.

Waves

Ludovico Einaudi (Reimagined by Various Artists)

While the original is beautiful, many electronic or cinematic reimaginings of this Einaudi classic add a profound layer of rhythmic drive and texture. These versions often incorporate pulsing electronic beats underneath the iconic piano, creating a perfect fusion of classical emotion and modern energy.

Why it works: The combination of a familiar, flowing melody with an unexpected, driving beat allows for a juxtaposition of movement qualities—fluid, lyrical upper body contrasted with sharp, rhythmic lower body or weight-sharing partner work. It’s incredibly versatile.

Wait

M83

An epic, atmospheric track built on a foundation of synths and haunting vocals that soars to an incredible cinematic peak. It feels like the soundtrack to a pivotal moment in a film, full of hope, anguish, and cosmic scale.

Why it works: This song is pure emotion in audio form. Its long, sustained build allows for slow, developing movement phrases that grow in intensity and spatial design. It's perfect for large groups to create stunning, sweeping formations and for dancers who excel at performing with intense commitment.

Hometown

Tom Odell

Lesser-known but incredibly powerful, this track builds from a simple, repetitive piano line into a crashing, cathartic finale. Odell's raw and strained vocal delivery adds a layer of gritty, authentic emotion that is irresistible to move to.

Why it works: The repetitive motif allows for the development of a movement motif that can evolve throughout the piece. The explosive climax is a gift for a choreographic climax, demanding powerful, full-bodied, and emotionally charged movement. Excellent for a solo about internal struggle or resilience.

Your Movement, Your Soundtrack

The best choreography emerges from a true dialogue between music and movement. Don't be afraid to listen beyond these suggestions, to dig for hidden gems, and to let a piece of music speak to you personally. The most powerful piece you'll ever create will be to a song that you feel in your bones. Now, go create.

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