The Best of Contemporary Electronic Dance Music
Contents
Looking for the best in contemporary electronic dance music? You’ve come to the right place! Here at The Best of Contemporary Electronic Dance Music, we’ll keep you up to date on all the latest and greatest EDM hits.
Introduction
Contemporary electronic dance music has its roots in the disco and house music of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the 1990s, techno and trance rhythms began to dominate the dancefloor, and in the 2000s, we saw the rise of EDM (electronic dance music) as a mainstream genre. Today, there is a huge variety of electronic dance music styles to choose from, each with its own unique sound and flavor.
Whether you’re a fan of thumping basslines, hypnotic melodies, or both, there’s an EDM style out there for you. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular contemporary electronic dance music genres, so you can find the right sound for your next party or workout session.
What is Contemporary Electronic Dance Music?
Contemporary Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, has become one of the most popular genres of music in recent years. EDM is a subgenre of electronic music that is characterized by a heavy emphasis on rhythm and melody. This type of music is often played in clubs and festivals, and is known for its high energy and catchy melodies.
Origins
The origins of contemporary electronic dance music can be traced back to the early 1970s when electronic instruments and synthesizers began to be widely used in pop music. This marked a shift away from the traditional rock and roll sound that had dominated the music scene for many years. By the late 1970s, a new genre of music called disco had emerged, and it quickly became one of the most popular genres of the time.
However, disco was not the only type of contemporary electronic dance music that was being created; other genres such as synth-pop, new wave, and house were also beginning to emerge. These genres would go on to have a major impact on the contemporary electronic dance music scene, and many of the best-known and most popular DJs and producers today got their start in one of these genres.
Characteristics
Contemporary electronic dance music is characterized by strong basslines and beats. The music often relies heavily on synthesizers and drum machines, and is often devoid of vocals.
Styles
Contemporary electronic dance music is a wide-ranging genre of music that is generally produced for use by DJs in nightclubs, at parties, and in festivals. It covers a wide range of styles, including house, techno, trance, drum and bass, dubstep, and more.
There are many subgenres of contemporary electronic dance music, each with its own unique style and flavor. House music is a style of EDM that originated in the 1980s in Chicago. It is characterized by a thumping 4/4 beat and often incorporates samples of other songs or instrumental tracks. Techno is another popular subgenre of EDM that originated in Detroit in the 1980s. It is characterized by repetitive beats and often has an industrial or robotic sound. Trance is a style of EDM that originated in the early 1990s in Germany. It is characterized by dreamy melodies and often has a more progressive sound. Drum and bass is a style of EDM that originated in the UK in the early 1990s. It is characterized by fast-paced beats and often has a dark or aggressive sound. Dubstep is a style of EDM that originated in London in the early 2000s. It is characterized by heavy basslines and often has a wobbly or “dirty” sound.
The Best of Contemporary Electronic Dance Music
Contemporary electronic dance music is a genre of music that is typically produced for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. It is characterized by a strong bassline and drums, as well as a variety of synth and samples.
The Best DJs
DJs have been around since the early days of electronic music, and their importance has only grown in recent years. Today, there are thousands of professional DJs operating all over the world, catering to a huge range of different audiences. With so many different DJs to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.
This list features some of the best contemporary electronic dance music DJs, chosen for their skill, innovation, and popularity. These are all DJs who are currently active and who have made a significant impact on the EDM scene in recent years. If you’re looking for someone to get you started on your journey into the world of EDM, any of these DJs would be a great place to start.
The Best Songs
Whether you’re a fan of dubstep, techno, trance, or house, there are certain tracks that just get everyone moving on the dance floor. Here are 10 of the best contemporary electronic dance songs that are sure to get the party started.
1. “Bounce” by Calvin Harris
2. “ Levels” by Avicii
3. “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia
4. “I Could Be the One” by Avicii vs Nicky Romero
5. “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
6. “Animals” by Martin Garrix
7. “Treasure” by Bruno Mars
8. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams
9. “La La La” by Naughty Boy feat Sam Smith
10. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
The Best Albums
There are many great contemporary electronic dance music albums, but these are our favorites.
1. Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories- This album was highly acclaimed upon its release in 2013, and it’s easy to see why. The French duo’s fourth studio album is a tour de force of contemporary electronic dance music, with hit singles like “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance” showcasing their signature sound.
2. Calvin Harris’ 18 Months- This 2012 album from Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris features an impressive roster of collaborators, including Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Ellie Goulding, and Florence Welch. The result is a collection of club-ready tracks that are both catchy and infectious.
3. Disclosure’s Settle- The debut album from British brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, Settle was one of the most talked about electronic dance music albums of 2013. Featuring collaborations with Sam Smith, AlunaGeorge, and Jessie Ware, the record is a masterclass in modern dance music production.
4. Kaskade’s Atmosphere- Released in 2013, this album from American DJ and producer Kaskade was inspired by his headlining set at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas. It’s a beautiful record that captures the spirit of the EDM festival experience.
5. Zedd’s Clarity- German DJ and producer Zedd scored a mainstream crossover hit with this album’s title track, which features Foxes on vocals. But the rest of the record is just as good, with each track showcasing Zedd’s skillful production work.
Conclusion
This list is a snapshot of what is popular in the EDM world today. It is by no means exhaustive, but it does include some of the most popular artists and tracks in the genre. If you are looking for a starting point in your exploration of contemporary electronic dance music, this list is a good place to start.
