Decade of electronic music‘s first appearance; Morton Subotnik’s 1967 masterpiece Silver Apples Of The Moon by Warner Records marked its introduction into mainstream listener culture using early analogue synths.
These compositions feature an air of softness that elevates them beyond novelty ghetto. Paul Beaver fans should appreciate his strobing proto-techno cut ‘Leave the Driving to Us’ as well.
Synthpop
In the 1970s, synthpop music emerged as a genre-spanning hybrid form that combined elements from multiple genres into an extremely catchy and melodic genre of electronic music. Characterized by using electronic instruments to produce sounds typically created using guitars or pianos as well as heavily processed vocals enhanced through digital effects, synthpop is defined by its signature sounds that straddle genre boundaries while remaining timeless and captivating.
Synthpop was the precursor to post-punk, popularizing the notion that analogue synthesizers weren’t just limited to industrial noise or symphonic metal; they could also be used in pop music. Many bands who started this trend included countercultural aesthetics while exploring new genres; one influential figure who established this movement was Gary Numan of Tubeway Army who discovered Minimoog synthesizer and began experimenting with it to change how their songs were written – this discovery lead them down an unexpected musical path until mainstream hits became available again.
This was one of the earliest examples of synthpop. The Human League, formed as part of post-punk, also made a major impactful in this genre with their debut album Machines for Visions; Phil Oakey’s distinctive singing voice perfectly fit the dark electronic constructions around him.
Vangelis was also an important figure in synthpop, creating the musical score for films Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner as well as being an accomplished pianist himself whose blend of classical music with electronic sounds created a distinct sound which combined cold melodies with warm tones.
Brian Eno was another notable figure. Formerly with Roxy Music as its keyboardist before branching off and beginning his own project, Eno worked closely with Conny Plank – later to collaborate with Bowie and other artists – who would produce many of Eno’s albums across electronic genres, while shaping young musicians by challenging ideas about what music should be. His albums showcased this variety and his influence was felt across genres by younger musicians who looked up to him for guidance in creating their own sounds.
Techno
As the 1970s progressed, musical genres that utilized new technologies flourished. Electronic music pioneers Knut Aufermann and Klaus Schulze explored ambient and drone techniques at their laboratory EMS, while Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel explored more avant-garde styles known as Kosmische Musik (or cosmic music). Meanwhile in America disco emerged, using drum machines such as Roland TR-808 drum machines for rhythmic energy on dance floors; disco artist Sly and the Family Stone used one on their 1971 hit song ‘Family Affair’ which set precedent for future disco artists to follow.
Techno is an experimental form of electronic music, first popularized through DJ culture during the ’80s. Like hip hop, techno relied heavily on instrumental synthesizers and drum machines to produce complex sequences of sounds; unlike its hip hop predecessor, however, techno emphasized rhythm over melody or harmony elements and utilized sound synthesis technology to develop unique timbres.
Breakbeat was an offshoot of techno that featured drum samples taken from hip-hop and jazz recordings, in addition to other audio effects and polyrhythms not tied to traditional beat conventions. Breakbeat helped pave the way for dub and trance that would use similar sound palettes.
Jungle music offered another variation on the electronic theme, drawing heavily from reggae and ska influences with heavy basslines and syncopated drum patterns. Osbourne “King Tubby” Ruddock and Lee ‘Scratch” Perry, as well as producer/keyboardist Errol Thompson were pioneers of jungle. Over time it would become more laidback, becoming known as chill out or ambient music genres. House music grew immensely in the ’80s and ’90s, being heavily influenced by disco and soul. Techno’s impact on club culture was such that in the ’80s hip hop began incorporating turntables as musical instruments and sampling from popular techno tracks into its mixes, featuring four-to-the-floor rhythms and less polished sound sets than electro.
Hip Hop
Hip hop’s advent in the 1970s drew on diverse influences, expanding it from being simply a musical genre into an entire culture. Originating in New York’s Bronx as a response to socioeconomic challenges and lack of recreational outlets, it quickly evolved into an alternative outlet for expression of youthful frustration through dancing, DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaata provided powerful rhythmic block parties that created hope for the future and fostered an atmosphere of community that transcended racial barriers.
Hip hop evolved from disco music, where pioneering MCs (or emcees) rapped over dance breaks. Beats were usually provided by snare drums and cymbals while lyrics often utilized rhyme and wordplay to communicate messages or provoke responses. Over time, this art form also evolved with its own code of ethics which encouraged generosity and fairness within its community.
DJ Kool Herc first coined the term hip hop in the early 1970s when he reimagined popular soul and disco songs by emphasizing instrumental breaks. Employing needle-fine timing, Herc would play back-and-forth two sections of a song on two turntables at once to create an extended break that got crowds moving. Later artists such as Grandmaster Flash would include other genres into hip hop’s repertoire such as funk dub reggae German electronic music into his musical arsenal.
By the 1980s, production technology had advanced enough that producers were capable of creating original sounds instead of relying heavily on sampling, giving rise to new forms of techno, with its pounding beats and intricate sequencing pushing beyond club music boundaries.
“I Feel Love” features an infectious Moog synth bassline and memorable vocoder chants, creating an entrancing, trance-inducing soundscape. Additionally, its innovative studio trickery including phasing vocal effects and interlocking percussion loops foreshadowed the continuous mixing techniques which have since become staples of EDM genres like house and trance.
Ambient
Ambient electronic music found its feet as an experimental form during the late 1960s and throughout the 70s due to the synthesizer’s introduction. This enabled musicians to create expansive textures and moods previously impossible before; its primary aim being to foster concentration, contemplation and relaxation through sounds such as wind, water or birdsong.
Artists like Brian Eno and Harold Budd were pioneers in exploring ambient sounds, pioneering a whole new musical genre with their experiments. Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music for Airports stands as an iconic example of this style.
As well as the Moog synthesizer, drum machines and sequencers became widely available – leading to experimentation among rock bands with electronic instruments and sounds. Kraftwerk is perhaps best known for blending driving rock rhythms with synth pulses and an innovative vocal vocoder; their groundbreaking style helped popularize electronic music into mainstream audiences.
Ash Ra Tempel was another influential group from this era of music; they pioneered an ambient style known as kosmische Musik that combined both dance music and ambient influences into soundscapes that were both relaxing and exuberant at once. Manuel Gottsching pioneered an electronic instrument known as theremin.
Although the Kosmische genre differs considerably from contemporary techno and trance music, it was an integral precursor for these styles and heavily influenced artists such as Giorgio Moroder and Daft Punk, both of whom would go on to achieve massive fame later.
More recently, ambient has become a mainstay in many electronic producers’ production arsenals. Artists such as Tycho, Seefeel and Recondite have pioneered this genre through tracks like Signals, Cold Out There and Private Universe by pushing its boundaries further. Yet some artists stand out most impressively as ambient artists when combined with post-rock influences like Jon Hopkins with albums Opalescent Immunity Abandon Window offering listeners the best of both worlds and creating the immersive experience one would desire from this genre.