At one point in time, EDM appeared to be on its last legs. The bubble had burst and the elaborate builds and laser light shows had lost their sheen; dubstep had deteriorated into routine techno, while hard house had lost much of its charismatic edge.
But has the genre completely faded away? To see, we analyzed Google search results across countries to gain more insight.
1. It’s too associated with bad fashion
EDM music has become synonymous with certain styles of clothing, which is not ideal. People listening to EDM tend to wear strange attire such as neon hoodies and tiny bikinis in addition to glittery tops – while this doesn’t need to be the case, more variety in how people who listen would benefit this genre.
Notable among EDM’s top names is their status as wannabe dance producers who have been ghost produced by Benno and other major DJs; this issue affects all genres of music; yet EDM may just be passing fad that will eventually pass away.
EDM industry growth has been strong over the last several years, yet is beginning to slow. This could be caused by pandemic infection or simply because its market has become oversaturated and requires breathing space; regardless, EDM no longer appears as popular as it once did.
Google Trends makes it clear that searches for EDM have been declining over time. This could be attributable to various factors including Avicii’s death, COVID-19 pandemic or just its general decrease in popularity over time.
It’s possible that EDM’s decline will continue, with its listeners searching for new sounds and genres once more. But it could also evolve into something completely different; that’s OK too; musical tastes always shift and no one knows what will become popular next.
Although some may view EDM as dead, there are still many people who advocate that “EDM is life”. North America remains the primary search destination, while searches for “EDM is death” tend to occur more frequently in Europe and Latin America – meaning these individuals could be missing out on some incredible music!
2. It’s too generic
There’s no denying the fact that many popular electronic music genres have become incredibly generic over time. Artists have begun to place more importance on marketing their brand than on creating quality dance music, leading to an overall decline in standards and music that often lacks life and originality. From LED screens and pyrotechnics, to lack of traditional instruments such as flute, there is now less traditional instrument-driven dance music than ever. And with news of DJ ‘faking it’ scandals occurring on an almost weekly basis, with big names using prerecorded sets or mimetics – this has created an atmosphere of mistrust that threatens entire genre.
People often mistake EDM for EDM-style music, yet that does not define its definition. While some subgenres of electronic music feature mainstream sounds and appeal, which may make them better suited to pop musicians than others; but that does not equate to “pop music”. David Guetta is one of the largest EDM producers worldwide – his tracks have all become international hits worldwide and his productions are considered some of the greatest EDM hits ever!
Electronic music covers many subgenres that may appeal to more niche audiences; these may well be those that will survive. But tastes change over time, making it impossible to determine whether a certain genre of music is dead or alive.
As it stands, electronic music remains popular and will likely remain an integral part of the music scene for some time to come. But keep in mind that tastes change and musical trends evolve, meaning popularity could change dramatically in just a few years. Staying informed of these developments and staying abreast of industry developments is key.
3. It’s too expensive
Most people imagine EDM to be comprised of an image of bros in dayglo vests bouncing to an EDM beat with all of the emotional resonance of Morris dancing – something seen on media outlets and sold as music by many music marketers. Unfortunately this does not capture the spirit of EDM music nor do artists who create something more than simply rave tunes.
But it isn’t only the sound that’s turning people off of electronic music – it’s also its cost of production. Producing good electronic music required an expensive studio space and vast amounts of hardware until recently; thanks to software programs capable of replicating this work at much lower cost it became possible for anyone willing to put in some effort and dedicate themselves enough time to master its production.
Since more people can now produce their own music, electronic music has made a resurgence on charts in recent years. Unfortunately, hardware costs haven’t reduced enough so for many it remains too costly to join in the fun.
Mixing and mastering are often seen as expensive undertakings that are out of reach for most. A professional-quality mixer could cost hundreds of pounds; that alone may act as an impediment.
That is partly why many publications and websites are proclaiming electronic music dead, though I disagree. While certain subgenres of electronic music may have faded in terms of popularity, there will always be people who love it that will find ways to listen – thus the imminent death of electronic music doesn’t appear likely.
4. It’s too dangerous
Electronic music may seem simplistic compared to hip hop or classical, but it has its own sophisticated style that is equally complex and artistic. Electronic music has a long history behind it and many artists have found success within this genre. While electronic music may not get as much recognition as other genres do, its fan base remains large and continues to expand.
As is true of any genre of popular music, some individuals dislike hip-hop. According to these critics, its shallowness and lack of substance make it too cheesy and repetitive for their tastes. Sometimes this happens because people either don’t understand or haven’t had much exposure to hip-hop before.
This is certainly a valid argument, but it’s also important to keep in mind that all forms of music experience phases. Rock and roll went through a time where its audiences dismissed it, before later discovering by new audiences as legitimate genre. Hip hop also experienced this fate before becoming popular again today.
One reason some believe EDM is in decline may be its negative public image. There have been multiple scandals involving DJs faking performances that has hurt its credibility as an industry. People are losing trust in these performers who appear on stage and this may be one of the main factors driving some to believe EDM’s death.
Furthermore, DJs face many problems in how they promote their shows. Some promote illegal substances that may lead to health risks, and it’s essential that we are aware of this potential harm. Hopefully in time DJs will become more responsible.
Though EDM may have recently lost some of its appeal, it should be remembered that the genre has existed for an extended period and could very likely become even more widespread later on.