Electronic Dance Music Subgenres You Need to Know

Get to know the different subgenres of electronic dance music so you can make informed decisions when listening, going to shows, and buying records.

Introduction to Electronic Dance Music

Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by DJsc, and is a staple genre within the club culture. Electronic dance music subgenres you need to know include: techno, house, drum and bass, dubstep, and trance.

Defining EDM

Electronic dance music, commonly known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres produced largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys (DJs) who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.

The popularity of EDM has grown exponentially in recent years. In North America and Europe in particular, EDM has become one of the most popular genres of music. This popularity has led to the development of a number of subgenres within EDM including house, techno, trance, and drum and bass.

In order to appreciate the variety within EDM, it is helpful to understand the different subgenres that make up this broad genre of music.

Origins of EDM

The origins of electronic dance music can be traced back to the early 1970s when electronic instruments and synthesizers began to be used in disco and rock music. Disco music, in particular, was a major influence on the early development of EDM. In the 1980s, the use of electronic instruments and synthesizers in disco and rock music gave rise to new subgenres of EDM, such as house music, techno music, and acid house. By the early 1990s, EDM had emerged as a distinct genre of popular music.

Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. It is characterized by its use of electronic instruments and synthesizers, as well as its fast tempo and often-repetitive nature. EDM is typically produced by DJs and producers who create remixes or original tracks.

There are many different subgenres of EDM, each with its own unique style and sound. Some of the most popular subgenres of EDM include trance, dubstep, techno, house, hardstyle, drum & bass, and bass music.

The Different Subgenres of EDM

Electronic dance music, or EDM for short, has exploded in popularity in recent years. But what many people don’t realize is that there is a wide variety of subgenres within EDM. In this article, we’ll give you a brief overview of some of the most popular subgenres of EDM.

House

House is a subgenre of EDM that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. House music is characterized by a steady 4/4 beat, synth basslines, and Lo-Fi drum beats. House music tracks often have a build-up and drop, similar to trance music. House music is often played in clubs and festivals. Notable house music artists include Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, and Avicii.

Techno

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often has a synthesized or robotic sound. Techno is part of the wider category of house music, but it has its own distinct style and sound.

The first techno tracks were produced by DJs in Detroit, Michigan, USA, who were influenced by the electro-funk sound of artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Cybotron. The genre developed further in the early 1990s with the help of labels like Warp Records and Plus 8, who released groundbreaking tracks by artists like Aphex Twin and Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman).

In the mid-1990s, techno became popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, where it spawned the subgenre of trance. Techno also influenced other genres, such as Drum & Bass and IDM (Intelligent Dance Music). Today, techno is enjoyed all over the world by clubbers and festival-goers alike.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s in Germany. It is characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 beats per minute, and repetitive, often melodic, synthesizer-based melodies. The word “trance” is derived from the Latin word “transire”, which means “to cross”.

The genre gained popularity in the mid-1990s with the release of early Commercial Trance records such as Robert Miles’ “Children”, DJ Jean’s “The Launch”, and Humate’s “Love Stimulation”. In the late 1990s, trance music became more mainstream with the commercial success of releases such as Push’s “Universal Nation”, ATB’s “9pm (Till I Come)”, Motorcycle’s “As the Rush Comes”, and Rank 1’s “Airwave”.

In the early 2000s, trance music experienced a rise in popularity with releases such as Hybrid’s “Silence”, Tiesto’s “Adagio for Strings”, and above & beyond featuring Zoe Johnston’s “No One on Earth”. Since then, trance has become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music.

Some well-known trance artists include: Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, Paul van Dyk, Aly & Fila, Andrew Rayel, and Markus Schulz.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass (also written as “drum ‘n’ bass” or “d’n’b”) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically between 160–180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, sampled sources, and synthesizers. The genre grew out of the UK’s jungle and rave scenes in the early 1990s, and over the last few decades has gone through several phases of popularity, with original jungle and rave-based drum and bass giving way to various more commercial styles such as jump-up and intelligent drum and bass. Drum and bass tends to be produced using a personal computer in contrast to earlier forms of dance music that were mostly produced using expensive professional studio equipment.

The genre is particularly associated with the UK, where it developed, although it has subsequently achieved global popularity thanks to numerous crossover hits from artists such as The Prodigy, Pendulum, Chase & Status and Nero.

Dubstep

Invented in London in the early 2000s, dubstep was originally quite a dark, heavy type of electronic dance music. It was popular among underground clubbers and soon began to be played on mainstream radio. The signature sound of dubstep is a spacey, reverberating bassline that drops in and out, often accompanied by simple drums and other sparse electronic elements.

The Future of EDM

Electronic dance music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the rave culture of the early 1990s. What was once a niche genre of music has now exploded into the mainstream, with subgenres to please any taste. But where is EDM headed next? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular subgenres of EDM and where they might be headed in the future.

The Growth of EDM

Over the past few years, electronic dance music (EDM) has exploded in popularity. No longer just the preserve of niche clubs and festivals, EDM is now one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

This growth has been driven by the rise of subgenres like dubstep and trap, which have taken the sound of EDM in new and exciting directions. As these subgenres have become more popular, they have also begun to influence the sound of mainstream pop music.

This trend is likely to continue in the coming years, as EDM continues to grow in popularity and new subgenres emerge. So if you want to stay ahead of the curve, here are a few electronic dance music subgenres you need to know about:

Dubstep:
Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its heavy basslines and futuristic soundscapes. Dubstep has become one of the most popular genres of EDM, with artists like Skrillex and Bassnectar helping to bring it into the mainstream.

Trap:
Trap is a type of EDM that combines elements of hip-hop and electronic music. It is characterized by its use of 808 drums, synthetic melodies, and pitched-down vocals. Trap has become one of the most popular genres of EDM in recent years, with artists like Flosstradamus and Baauer helping to bring it into the mainstream.

Future Bass:
Future bass is a type of EDM that combines elements of dubstep and trap. It is characterized by its use of detuned synthesizers, pitch-shifted vocals, and thick basslines. Future bass has become one of the most popular genres of EDM in recent years, with artists like Marshmello and Illenium helping to bring it into the mainstream.

The Different Directions of EDM

As electronic dance music (EDM) continues to grow in popularity, more and more subgenres are emerging. This can be confusing for newcomers to the scene, but it’s also exciting because it shows the tremendous amount of creativity that exists within the genre.

While some subgenres are more popular than others, there are really no wrong answers when it comes to EDM. The important thing is that you find the style of music that you enjoy the most. With that said, here are five of the most popular EDM subgenres that you should know about:

1. Trap
Trap is a subgenre of hip hop that originated in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its heavy use of bass and its often dark or violent lyrics. Trap EDM takes these elements and combines them with electronic beats to create a unique and powerful sound.

2. Dubstep
Dubstep emerged in the early 2010s and quickly became one of the most popular subgenres of EDM. It is characterized by its heavy use of bass, its syncopated rhythms, and its half-time feel (meaning that the tempo is half as fast as other EDM genres).

3. House
House is one of the oldest and most influential subgenres of EDM. It originated in Chicago in the 1980s and is characterized by its four-on-the-floor beat and its use of synthesizers and drum machines. House music has been hugely influential on subsequent genres like techno and trance.

4. Techno
Techno is a dark, industrial style of EDM that emerged in Detroit in the 1980s (although it didn’t really reach mainstream popularity until the 1990s). It is characterized by its minimalistic arrangements and its use of repetitive beats (usually at a very fast tempo). Many techno tracks are designed specifically for dancing, making it one of the most popular genres for clubgoers around the world.

5. Trance
Trance is an uplifting style of EDM that emerged in Europe in the 1990s. It is characterized by its soaring melodies, progressive structures, and dreamlike atmospheres . Trance music was originally created as an offshoot of house music, but it has since developed into a genre unto itself .