Electronic music refers to any musical form which employs electronic devices for creating sounds. This distinguishes it from acoustic music which relies on instruments being played live to produce its sound.
Electronic music’s roots can be traced back to Jamaica in the 1960s when artists employed reel-to-reel tape recorders to overlay multiple tracks with this technique known as musique concrete.
Techno
Techno is the pioneering genre that started it all and remains a compelling, driving style perfect for club nights and dancefloors. Its four-on-the-floor beat, synthesized melodies and electronic instruments make it a favorite choice among DJs and listeners alike; although its style has evolved into multiple subgenres over time, its core values remain the same: futurism, optimism, escape, catharsis and people dancing together as one unit.
Electronic musical instruments first made their debut in the 1920s. But digital technology allowed for an explosion of new sounds and techniques during the 1980s – inspiring genres like industrial music, electro and even new age music to heavily incorporate electronic components.
Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May (commonly referred to as The Belleville Three) from Detroit played a vital role in creating techno. Together they pioneered its rhythm that has since become widely recognized; their music combined disco with synthpop as well as other popular genres at that time, while using electronic equipment enabled them to create unique timbres not found with traditional instruments.
After becoming popular in Germany, techno quickly spread globally. As technology advanced further, techno producers created different subgenres of this genre such as acid techno and hardcore techno that feature distinctive sounds, tempos, and basslines.
By the mid-1990s, artists such as Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, and Hawtin had provided techno music with an edge while remaining true to its roots. Their tracks provided the soundtrack for post-communist Berlin’s post-industrial spaces that often served as hosts for raves ad-hoc raves hosted in abandoned warehouses or squats.
Techno music is a highly repetitive style of music composed of drum machines, sequencers and synthesizers that produce its signature four-four beat. Usually played at 4/4 tempo – meaning its main rhythm comes from kick (bass drum) on every quarter-note pulse followed by snare or clap sounds every second and fourth beat plus an open hi-hat sound every eight note – it follows this format throughout each song.
Melodic techno is a subgenre of techno that incorporates elements from classic house and trance music, known for its upbeat and emotional soundscape, using melodic synth leads, lush pads, and driving rhythms. This style is popular among DJs as well as listeners looking for danceable yet reflective sounds.
Dubstep
Dubstep has become one of the most acclaimed genres of EDM. Characterized by heavy bass lines and synths that create a distinct soundscape, its popularity skyrocketed during the early 2000s when artists like Skrillex became household names. Furthermore, its fast tempo and heavy beats quickly established it as part of popular culture; although critics may refer to dubstep as repetitive.
Dubstep may be relatively new genre, but its roots lie within London’s underground scene in the 1990s. Remixers of 2-step garage tracks began experimenting with dub by changing its tempo for an upbeat, faster pulse – this trend became so popular it required its own name: Dubstep was then coined.
“Dubstep” is composed of two words combined into one: “2-step garage” and “dub.” The first term refers to dance moves performed during 2-step garage songs, while dub refers to its rhythm; typically this beat features kick drum-snare drum alternations with a tempo between 140 beats per minute and slower wobble dubstep songs.
Dubstep encompasses many subgenres, each with their own distinctive traits. Glitch Hop uses an electronically produced sound that sounds similar to that found in video games; other sub-genres include Drumstep with more aggressive beats; Gurls is another variation which adds hip-hop elements, featuring distorted guitar riffs for an additional hip-hop flavor;
Many subgenres of dubstep enjoy their own followings and fans, though some critics maintain its overrated popularity. Critics cite its overuse, lacking diversity among individual songs and some artists’ use of aggressive themes which could harm young listeners as primary concerns.
EDM
Electronic dance music (EDM) is a form of musical expression which incorporates electronic instruments. Usually heard at dance parties and clubs, EDM can also be characterized by repetitive rhythms and high beats per minute; additionally it often utilizes synthesizers and other electronic instruments for its soundscape. Many artists and producers utilize computer software to compose this genre, enabling even amateurs to produce similar tracks to what can be found on radio stations or clubs.
EDM (Electronic Dance Music) is an umbrella genre with numerous subgenres that span its spectrum. These subgenres include big room house, hybrid trap, dubstep, and future bass – the genres you will likely hear at major festivals and clubs – pioneered by Hardwell, Skrillex, Diplo etc. However, many more genre subdivisions exist under its purview.
Electronic music’s history is highly intriguing and has been greatly shaped by technological development throughout its lifetime. Early compositions were produced using primitive tools such as magnetic tape and acoustic synthesizers, but these have since been replaced by digital audio workstations and other computer technologies, making it possible for even amateur composers to produce high-caliber electronic compositions that were once only produced professionally in studios.
Electronic music’s popularity has skyrocketed over the years and more bands are including elements of it into their own songs. While various genres contain aspects of electronic music, best to define it as a supergenre that includes any style that relies on electronics for mixing or production; this excludes genres like rock or pop which may contain electronic components but do not originate as such.
As musical genres continue to progress, new sounds emerge by combining different genres. A great example is future bass music’s recent rise; this genre combines elements from hip hop, big-room house and dubstep into one unique style that is quickly becoming very popular in clubs and festivals worldwide – it has even gained support from DJs such as Martin Garrix, Zedd and The Chainsmokers!
Electro
Electro music is an amalgamation of elements found in funk, hip-hop, disco and synth-pop genres. It is distinguished by the use of drum machines; typically featuring simple melodies with repetitive rhythms as well as sine waves or offbeat rhythms for added effect. Tempos typically range between 120 to 150 beats per minute.
Techno music’s roots date back to the 1970s. European electronic musicians such as Kraftwerk and C.J. Bolland pioneered techno, while Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sly Stone and Norman Whitfield helped expand this genre with groundbreaking performances that expanded stifled African American music while exploring new technologies like electric keyboards and rotary generators.
In the 1980s, Detroit Techno was flourishing. Producers James Stinson and Gerald Donald formed Drexciya and explored themes related to science fiction and aquatic life. Over time, their sound would develop into electro house.
By fusing elements of rock and funk with electronic drum machines and bass lines, this style has become immensely popular worldwide. It is known for featuring major buildups and drops throughout a song’s course; young dancers tend to prefer it over faster-tempo styles of electronic music.
Intelligent Dance Music (IDM) is another form of electronic music. Unlike its cousins, IDM focuses on individual experimentation rather than genre characteristics and is best suited for listening at home rather than dancing; some artists who make IDM include Aphex Twin, Massive Attack and Orb.
Complextro is an emerging subgenre of electronic music that draws influence from dubstep and electro house, featuring glitchy basslines with subtle electronic tones as well as influences from analogue sources such as piano music. While not as widespread as its counterparts, Complextro continues to grow in popularity.
Electro music has not only given rise to intricate basslines and synthesizers, but has also developed its own distinctive vocal style. Most commonly processed through a vocoder for robotic or mechanical effects; however some artists use speech synthesis technology such as in Warp 9’s song “Planet Rock”.