EDM, like every major music genre, has developed many subgenres over time; making it difficult to pinpoint which are the most widely enjoyed EDM genres globally.
Future-bass artists such as Marshmello and DJ Snake enjoy wider market penetration while techno music tends to focus more heavily on northern European regions.
House
House music has been around since the 1970s, when disco was beginning to fade and DJs started remixing records in nightclubs with state-of-the-art equipment and sound software to engineer repetitive sounds that create an unforgettable club experience – one which draws you in only to leave you life changed and completely transformed by its power.
House music today encompasses many subgenres. Some examples are deep house, uplifting progressive house, electro, techno and trance – each genre often associated with specific cities and festivals for ultimate experience.
Porter Robinson has emerged as one of the premier names in contemporary house music with his eponymous label, producing releases that combine pop, dance and rock elements. Citing video game soundtracks and 1980s analog synth music as key influences in his work characterized by glitchy basslines and intricate textures crafted by rapidly switching instruments on and off quickly, Porter Robinson is recognized as an innovator who often works alone without collaborators or subcontractors.
Avicii, who has become synonymous with melodic, uplifting tracks that draw influence from various genres such as dance, hip hop and rock music is another prominent name on the scene. His track ‘Clarity’ nods towards pop and R&B, while ‘Take Over Control’ leans more toward techno.
Techno is a fast-paced and high-energy style of house music that first gained popularity during the 90s. Distinguished by a pounding kick drum and prominent bassline, techno sounds similar to an amplified version of regular house music. Hardcore techno from The Netherlands stands out among this genre due to its fast beats and distortion effects.
Techno is widely loved in the US, where festivals and clubs cater to its enthusiasts. Chicago is widely seen as the birthplace of house music; thus its culture celebrates it through various museums like Stony Island Arts Bank that exhibit Frankie Knuckles’ record collection or visiting one of Chicago’s many clubs that host artists performing.
Techno
Techno music hails from Detroit’s industrial heartland, where three young African-American pioneers created its foundation during the 1980s. Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson — commonly referred to as the Belleville Three — experimented with drum machines and European synth pop to craft what has since become one of the most influential forms of dance music.
Today, techno music remains one of the most beloved forms of electronic dance music across Europe and North America, while still featuring at clubs in both countries. Festivals such as Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival host it annually as well. Many techno musicians include elements from other genres – funk, hip hop and reggae in particular – into their tracks to widen its global appeal.
Techno has garnered considerable popularity, yet is often met with criticism from its most loyal supporters. Techno purists claim the current renditions lack soul and creativity that made it initially appealing, often taking aim at Zoomers who they feel ruin dance music with their gabber-adjacent pop edits and nonstop social media posting.
Techno artists such as German producer Rebuke have more traditional sounds. His unique signature style stands out in an otherwise overcrowded industry; his expertise lies in using simple sounds to produce complex beats and layers perfect for dancefloors.
Detroit techno has quickly grown out of its industrial city roots to become an international phenomenon, spreading throughout Germany and other European nations as well as to North and South American underground clubs where it’s growing ever-more popular. New artists can reach wider audiences while garnering new fans, helping the genre become commercial and mainstream; most recently it has seen the emergence of tech-house as its preferred electronic dance music form this year.
Dubstep
Dubstep (also referred to as Drum and Bass (DnB)) is a heavy bass music genre with steadily growing popularity over recent years, boasting an engaged micro-community that now rivals that of house and techno in terms of global reach. Major bass artists can now sell out clubs effortlessly while festivals like Lost Lands attract thousands of followers; dubstep has often been accused of being too hard or harsh, yet its true versatility keeps critics at bay.
Dubstep stands apart from other forms of EDM in that its music is deeply rooted within dance floors, boasting its own distinct sound that sets it apart. Drawing elements from 2 step garage, reggae, drum n bass and jungle music as well as its deep wobble basses and intricate rhythms it has its own identity – while mid-range frequencies help set an ambient atmosphere throughout its tracks.
Genre developed in UK during late 1990s. Genre is comprised of 2-step garage beats (with some syncopation and swingy elements), drum and bass (fast breakbeats over 1/2 tempo kicks) and dub music (big sub bass sounds derived from reggae), along with complex syncopated rhythms such as shuffle rhythms. Also notable for its wobble basses.
Since its initial appearance, techno has transformed into an ever more diverse genre and expanded globally. It has found support among listeners of various ages and is the backbone of underground dance scenes around the world. Additionally, techno has found its way into other styles of music including mainstream pop like Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been” and Kanye West’s “Power.”
Some producers have attempted to update the sound of Dubstep by adopting new production techniques and incorporating sounds from other genres of electronic music. This has given rise to post-Dubstep, featuring minimalist production with atmospheric sounds. Artists such as James Blake, Mount Kimbie, and Burial have helped further this movement by pushing beyond its boundaries while adding elements from ambient, indie, and future garage genres into this movement.
Electronica
Electronica is a term used to refer to music made using electronic instruments and production techniques, such as synthesizers. This genre-spanning genre encompasses ambient, dark techno, downtempo styles as well as folktronica that uses traditional instruments but uses electronic sounds instead. Genres within electronica include ambient, dark techno and downtempo styles – as demonstrated by artists such as Bonobo or Four Tet. Folktronica music may be either danceable or meditative depending on who produces it while its roots lie within classical, avant garde jazz as well as experimental forms of music production techniques.
In the 1960s and 70s, electronic music’s development was enabled by new technologies. At that time, musicians such as Delia Derbyshire of Radiophonic Workshop experimented with new sounds to create textures which have since had an influence on other composers. Later synthesizers were used to produce pop music; leading to Erasure and Pet Shop Boys becoming well-known acts.
Electronica emerged as a popular dance music genre during the 1990s. Many subgenres developed, including hardcore techno and industrial electro. Hardcore techno is distinguished by faster tempos with harsh or shouted vocals; its subgenre of EDM includes gabber, hardcore house, and industrial hardcore.
Electronica music has never been so varied and expansive! No matter what genre of music you prefer, chances are there’s an electronica artist out there that suits your taste perfectly. Additionally, many online resources exist that can help you locate an ideal track for your next workout or evening session.
Electronica music spans multiple genres and can be heard worldwide in clubs of various kinds. While its influence spans worldwide, some countries in particular seem particularly fond of electronic music: Chicago and Detroit are considered birthplaces for House and Techno music respectively while UK Rave culture was an immense influencer of EDM overall. These examples demonstrate its global reach; nonetheless it appears as though electronic music has an expansive future ahead of itself.