Released in 1997 by PolyGram TV, Wired (New Directions in Dance) is a definitive 2-CD compilation that captures the peak of the UK’s electronic and "Big Beat" movement. The album is lauded for its high-energy curation, featuring 35 tracks from the era's most influential heavyweights, including The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Underworld, and Leftfield. Rather than sticking to a single niche, it successfully bridges the gap between mainstream chart-toppers and the gritty, harder-edged sounds of the underground club scene, making it a polished time capsule of late-90s dance culture.
The compilation is particularly praised for its pacing and diversity, blending high-octane anthems like "Breathe" and "Leave Home" with sophisticated downtempo and trip-hop contributions from artists like Massive Attack and Morcheeba. By including essential remixes—such as Danny Saber's take on Garbage—alongside genre-defining techno and drum and bass tracks, Wired remains a highly-regarded "car stereo" classic. For listeners, it offers a seamless flow that encapsulates the optimistic, experimental spirit of a time when electronic music was rapidly evolving into a global phenomenon.