Do You Like EDM?

Last summer, the “Brat Summer” trend made a powerful wave. It stemmed from Charli XCX’s EDM album Brat, promoting a free and spontaneous lifestyle. Along with this, interest in EDM has also been rising. Today, EDM is one of the most loved genres by both producers and the public. So, what exactly is EDM? It stands for Electronic Dance Music. It’s an umbrella term that covers many dance music genres like Drum & Bass, House, and Techno. Let’s dive into the world of electronic dance music together!

First it was Kaytranada, then Fred again.., and now, Brat Summer —

The Past and Present of EDM

1970 (Disco)

Disco, often seen as the beginning of EDM, originated in the early 80s from the Funk music trend. It was heavily influenced by Soul, Funk, and Latin music, with many songs featuring vocals, drums, bass, guitar, organ, brass, and percussion.

Bee Gees - Night Fever (1977)

1980 (Synthpop)

From the 1980s, electronic music in a pop style became popular, and synthesizers began to be actively used in music.

A-ha - Take On Me (1985)

1990 (House, Techno)

House is a fusion of Disco and Synthpop, featuring a four-beat kick created by a drum machine, rich bass, and various electronic sounds or samples. Many subgenres emerged from House, with Techno being a notable one.

Frankie Knuckles - Your Love (1987)

2000~ (The Mainstreaming of EDM)

In the 2000s, with the spread of personal computers and the popularization of DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), EDM also became mainstream. As EDM gained popularity, world-class DJs and producers like Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, and David Guetta rose to fame, and massive EDM festivals emerged. For me, David Guetta’s Nothing but the Beat [2011] album was a turning point for EDM’s entry into the modern music market.

David Guetta - Titanium (feat. Sia) (2011)

EDM by Decade

As music production technology, including hardware and software, advances, various EDM genres have emerged, and the market has grown significantly. EDM can now be heard not only in clubs or festivals but also on the streets and in mainstream pop music. EDM is categorized into various subgenres based on BPM, sound, mood, and song structure, with new genres constantly evolving.

Source: eltonaudio

Want to learn more about EDM genres by decade and hear iconic tracks? Explore here. Hours will fly by as you listen.

source: https://music.ishkur.com/

Popular EDM Genres

Let’s dive deeper into some of the most popular EDM genres.

House

House and its subgenres have dedicated fan bases and have had a significant influence on pop music. House was born from Disco, characterized by a four-beat kick drum, synth riffs, and a deep bassline. Typically, house tracks range from 120 to 128 BPM.

• Subgenres

  • Electro House: Features repetitive, gritty bass. 126–128 BPM.

  • Progressive House: Melodic, emotional, with a spacious sound. 125–128 BPM (similar to the trance genre).

  • Deep House: Soft bass tones, varied riffs, minimal instrumental arrangement. 118–122 BPM.

  • Future House: Features a melodic pluck bass. 124–126 BPM.

  • Tropical House: Cool, non-aggressive sound composition. 110–124 BPM.

Lady Gaga, BLACKPINK - Sour Candy [House]

Bob Sinclar Ft. Steve Edwards - World Hold On (Fisher Rework) [House]

Techno

Originating in mid-80s Detroit, Techno is similar to House but typically features darker, purely electronic sounds. BPM varies widely between 125 and 150.

Teenage Mutants - Dark Clouds Feat. Heerhorst & Peter Pahn

Trap

A hybrid of Hip-Hop and EDM, characterized by processed Hip-Hop drum samples, deep 808 bass, and synth riffs. It typically ranges around 140 or 100 BPM.

Yellow Claw - DJ Turn It Up

BLACKPINK - Shut Down

Future Bass

Though hard to define due to its electronic variety, Future Bass mixes elements of Trap with a softer, more melodic feel. It often uses LFO modulation in synths and frequently features vocal chops.

Lorde - Tennis Court (Flume Remix)

Dubstep

Combining two-step rhythms with dub elements (derived from reggae), Dubstep usually hovers around 140 BPM. It features powerful kick, snare, wobble bass, and destructive electronic sounds.

Skrillex - Bangarang feat. Sirah

EDM Sites for Fans Like You

Curious to explore more EDM? If you’ve fallen deep into the EDM rabbit hole, check out the sites below for endless digging:

• Beatport: The world’s most famous EDM site where many DJs download tracks. Weekly genre charts are updated here.

• DJ Mag: A great site for DJ rankings and EDM-related information.

• Mixcloud: Listen to mixsets from famous DJs and amateurs alike. You can even upload your own music.

How was your EDM exploration? Even though it’s complex, discovering new genres and sounds is endlessly fascinating. I remember losing hours exploring, listening, and learning about the different genres when I first got hooked on EDM. I hope we can continue to love music, dance, and enjoy it together!