Electronic Music Genres to Look Out for in 2014

With the new year just around the corner, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at some of the most promising electronic music genres to keep an eye out for in 2014. From wonky bass to juke-influenced beats, there’s something for everyone in this roundup. So without further ado, here are our picks for the top electronic music genres to watch out for in 2014!

Chillwave

Chillwave is a subgenre of electronic music characterized by a dreamy, nostalgic or optimistic sound. It originated in the early 2010s as an outgrowth of hypnagogic pop and synth-pop, and is often distinguished from other subgenres by its use of lo-fi production techniques and synthetic textures.

The genre became popularized in the 2010s with the rise of music streaming services such as Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” section and SoundCloud. Chillwave artists often make use of analog synthesisers, drum machines, delay pedals, reverb pedals and other effects to create their sounds.

Notable chillwave artists include Washed Out, Neon Indian, Toro y Moi, Memory Tapes and Com Truise.

Downtempo

Downtempo music is a type of electronic music characterized by slow tempos and relaxed moods. It originated in the early 1990s, and its popularity has grown steadily since then. Many downtempo tracks are remixes of popular songs, and the genre is often used in film and television soundtracks.

Downtempo is similar to ambient music, but it typically has a beat, whereas ambient music does not. Downtempo artists often use samples, loops, and synthesizers to create their sounds. Some well-known downtempo artists include Massive Attack, Portishead, Air, Björk, and Thievery Corporation.

Trap

Trap is a sub-genre of hip-hop that originated in the early 1990s in the Southern United States. It is characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers, drum machines, and chopped samples of trance, rave, or hip-hop tracks. Trap music typically features a slow tempo (between 70 and 110 beats per minute), chilling atmosphere, and dark, violent lyrics. It has been described as “a bass-heavy music with machine gun snare drums, eerie synth pads and often guest appearances from rappers”.

While trap music has been around for over two decades, it only began to gain mainstream attention in 2012 with the release of several successful singles, most notably “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon. Since then, trap music has continued to grow in popularity, with artists like A$AP Rocky, Diplo, and Flosstradamus incorporating elements of trap into their own music.

Trap is still a relatively new genre, so it’s hard to say where it will go in the future. However, one thing is certain: trap music is here to stay. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to listen to in 2014, be sure to check out some trap music.

Future Bass

Future bass is a subgenre of electronic music that draws from a variety of sources, including trap, house, and dubstep. Future bass is characterized by its use of detuned, pitch-shifted, or digital sounds, as well as complex vocal chops and pitch bends. The style began to emerge in the early 2010s and has been championed by producers such as Flume, What So Not, Baauer, and Alison Wonderland.

Juke

Juke, also known as footwork, is a style of electronic dance music that emerged in Chicago in the early 1990s. The style is characterized by its fast, jerky rhythms and often sexually explicit lyrics. Juke tracks are typically around 160 beats per minute and are often produced using software such as REAPER or Ableton Live.

The genre has been championed by DJs and producers such as Rashad, Spinn, Traxman, Machinedrum, and Teklife (a collective of Chicago-based juke and footwork artists). In recent years, the genre has begun to gain wider international recognition, with releases on labels such as Warp Records, Planet Mu, and Hyperdub.

Juke is often cited as an influence by other genres of electronic music, such as drum & bass, dubstep, grime, and house.