Different Electronic Music Styles for Different Occasions

Different electronic music styles can be perfect for different occasions. If you’re looking for some music to get people moving at a party, you might want to try some high-energy EDM. Or, if you’re looking for something to help you relax, you might prefer some ambient or downtempo music. In this blog post, we’ll explore some different electronic music styles and when they might be appropriate.

Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix by segueing from one recording to another.

House

In its simplest form, house is a 4/4 dance music with a hypnotic drum machine pulse, steady bassline and often clattering percussion. Early house music was mostly instrumental and was often inspired by disco. By the early 1990s, some house tracks incorporated vocals, particularly in the Chicago sub-genre known as jacking. In general, however, most house tracks are instrumentals.

The style first gained international acclaim in the 1980s in Chicago. The first wave of Chicago house was epitomized by the recordings of DJ Frankie Knuckles and Jesse Saunders. These pioneers were quickly followed by others such as Adonis, Farley Jackmaster Funk and Mr Fingers (the latter two administered critical advances with the addition of acoustic drums and synthesisers respectively).

Techno

Techno is a style of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but they all share a basic affinity for techno’s stripped-down aesthetic and futuristic themes.

Techno is generally produced for use in a nightclub setting, where the hypnotic beat and repetitive basslines create a sense of atmosphere and immersion. The music is often designed to provoke an emotional response, either through its melancholic or euphoric melodies, or itsfloor-shaking basslines. It is also occasionally used as background music in other contexts, such as in film or video games.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from the British new-age music scene and the early 1990s German techno and hardcore scenes. At the same time trance music was developing in Europe, the genre was also gathering a following in the Indian state of Goa. Trance music is characterized by a tempo lying between 110–150 beats per minute,repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that distinctly builds tension and elements throughout a track often culminating in 1 to 2 “peaks” or “drops”.

Ambient Electronic Music

Ambient electronic music is a subgenre of electronic music that emphasizes atmosphere and mood over traditional musical structure or rhythm. Ambient electronic music is often used as background music for various settings such as public spaces, retail environments, and art installations. It is also used as a form of “active listening” in personal listening environments such as bedrooms and offices.

Chill-out

Chill-out music is a subgenre of electronic music characterized by slow tempos and relaxed moods. The music is often used for background ambiance at parties or clubs, or to provide a relaxing atmosphere for other activities such as yoga or studying. While the exact origins of chill-out music are difficult to trace, the style is generally associated with the rave and club scenes of the 1980s and 1990s.

One of the earliest examples of chill-out music can be found in the album ambient 1: Music for Airports by Brian Eno, which was released in 1978. This album consisted of four tracks of minimalist ambiance, each designed to create a different atmosphere in an airport setting. Eno’s work would go on to influence many subsequent musicians working in the ambient and chill-out genres.

Chill-out music typically features synthetic textures, dreamy melodies, and ethereal vocals (if any). The tempo is usually slow (60 beats per minute or less), but some chill-out tracks may incorporate elements of faster styles such as down tempo hip hop or trip hop. Common instrumentation includes keyboards, synthesisers, drums machines, and occasionally guitars.

New Age

New age music is a genre of electronica that is characterized by its relaxing, dreamy, and ethereal soundscapes. This type of music is perfect for relaxation, meditation, or simply for creating a soothing atmosphere. New age music often features nature sounds, soft drums, and organic instruments such as flutes and keyboards. If you’re looking for music to help you wind down after a long day or to create a tranquil environment, new age music is a great choice.

Space Music

Space music, also called cosmic music, is a genre of electronic music that emphasizes soundscapes and textures over traditional musical form or structure. It commonly features heavily reverbed and delay-laden guitars, synthesizers, and/or drum machines. Drumming is usually minimal, and songs often blend together into long uninterrupted auditory landscapes. This is the kind of music you might hear in a planetarium while viewing images of distant galaxies or while floating weightlessly in space. It can be used for relaxation, concentration, or simply to provide a backdrop for other activities.

Experimental Electronic Music

Experimental electronic music is a genre that emerged in the 1970s. It is characterized by the use of electronic musical instruments and technology as the primary source of sound. This type of music is usually made in small studios or at home by independent musicians.

Avant-garde

Avant-garde music is a style of music that is characteristically unconventional and innovative. It is typically experimental, difficult to categorize, and may include chance-based element. Avant-garde music often pushes the boundaries of what is considered “music”, using new techniques, instruments, or sounds.

This type of music is not afraid to be different, and often shuns traditional pop music conventions in favor of a more experimental sound. If you’re looking for something truly unique, avant-garde electronic music might be the perfect fit.

Glitch

There are many different types of electronic music, and each one has its own unique sound and style. Glitch is a type of electronic music that is known for its use of unconventional sounds and techniques. This type of music is often used to create an atmosphere of suspense or unease, and it can be a great choice for creating a mood of mystery or excitement.

Industrial

Industrial music is a genre of music that draws on harsh, transgressive or provocative sounds and themes. Industrial music grew out of the experimental sound of industrial and metallic noises, loops and samples which became popular in the late 1970s. This genre has been influential in the development of electronic dance music.

Early industrial music was created with synthesizers, drum machines and other electronic instruments. These early pioneers include Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Einstürzende Neubauten and Kraftwerk. In the 1980s, industrial music became more aggressive and began to incorporate elements of rock and metal. This new wave of industrial bands included Front 242,Skinny Puppy and Nine Inch Nails.

Today, industrial music has evolved into a wide variety of subgenres and styles. These include dark ambient, power electronics, noise rock, industrial metal and industrial hip hop.