EDM Genres
The world of electronic music is probably one of the most misunderstood communities in the world. The general conception from a non-raver is that everyone is a drug addict and that "All EDM sounds the exact same". I aim to create a guide to the elusive and confusing world of EDM, breaking it down into it's relevant scenes and further into those scenes sub-genres.
Joshua "Zomboy" Mellody, a notable producer in the bass music scene who is relevant in Brostep, Riddim & Trap music.
Bass music is the most diverse scene in the world of EDM. It is somewhat of an amalgam, with several unique and unrelated genres falling under this scene. Here you will find a focus on very dancefloor driven songs with unique bass sound design. Genres like Dubstep, Brostep, Drum & Bass, Wave, Trap, etc. can be found in this scene. It is notable that these genres do not have a four-to-the-floor kick drum like a lot of other EDM Genres.
House music is largest and most popular scenes in the world of EDM. There are hundreds and hundreds of sub-genres of house. House music usually follows a similar structure with a kick drum that is four-to-the-floor accompanied with an off-beat hi-hat. House music is very common in clubs and festivals and is very danceable because of the driving feel and bpm shared between house sub-genres.
Thijs "Brooks" Westbroek, a pioneer of the style known as 'Future Bounce'; a unique take on Future House that has very interesting melody rhythms and sound design.
Hard Dance Music (HDM) is the deep end of the EDM world. A lot of genres in this scene can be quite startling to new listeners. This scene is a world of boundary pushing and festival worthy songs. HDM producers are some of the best in the EDM scene, with genres falling under this scene being some of the most difficult to produce at a top level.
Willem "Headhunterz" Rebergen, a legendary and genre defining producer who's productions revolutionised the world of Hardstyle in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Trance music is one of the most crucial scenes in the EDM world. Trance music has had an influence on so many genres in other scenes. The world of Trance is an ethereal and euphoric experience with the music being something to awe at. The trance community is also one of the most welcoming and happy communities in music of a whole.
Markus Schulz, a long-time trance producer with his earliest releases dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. His unique style is instantly recognisable among the world of Trance.
The world of Techno is one of the most underground among all of EDM. Techno is aimed to provide a raving experience like no other. The world of Tehcno is a deep rabbit hole that is more diverse than it first seems. Many non-EDM listeners tend to classify all electronic music as Techno, which could not be more incorrect and insulting to those in the Techno scene.
Carl Cox, a legendary House and Techno producer & DJ who has over 4 decades of experience in the EDM scene. His contributions are invaluable to both the House Music & Techno Scenes.
This side of the EDM scene is very unique and unlike other genres. Here you will find genres that aren't necessarily made for the sole purpose of raving, but rather for personal listening. Genres like Chillstep, Ambient, Future Garage, Chillhop, Trip Hop, etc. are found in this scene. This is the most relaxing and most underrated scene in the whole of the EDM world.
Brian Eno, a producer who's work revolutionised and started the world that is Ambient music. And laid the foundation for the scene that is Ambient/Downtempo Music.
This is a term that I personally use as a way to distinguish any genre that doesn't objectively meet the requirements to be included into any of the aforementioned scenes. This isn't a concrete term and different people will agree or disagree on the genres that are included here; this is just my classification.
A. G. Cook, a producer who re-invented pop music and gave birth to the world of PC Music, now referred to as the genre Bubblegum Bass. His work laid the foundation for what is now Hyperpop.