The Most Essential Electronic Music Albums
Contents
Here are the most essential electronic music albums that you need in your collection.
From early house and techno to contemporary EDM and footwork, these are the records that defined electronic dance music.
Introduction
In the past decade or so, electronic music has undergone something of a renaissance. Where once it was confined to the fringes of popular culture, it is now embraced by a new generation of music fans.
And with this renewed interest has come a new wave of talented artists who are pushing boundaries and expanding the possibilities of what electronic music can be.
If you’re new to the genre, or just looking for a refresher, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most essential electronic albums that have been released in recent years. These are the albums that have defined the sound of electronic music in the 2010s, and which will continue to influence it for years to come.
Autechre – Incunabula
Autechre – Incunabula
Incunabula is the debut studio album by British electronic music duo Autechre, released on 7 December 1993 by Warp Records. It is considered a landmark release in the history of IDM and electronica music. The album features the singles “Basscadet” and “Outer”.
The album’s title refers to objects that are of historical value, or in other words, something that existed at the beginning of time. This is reflected in the music, which consists of bleeps, clicks and whirrs that sound like they could have been recorded at the dawn of time. The tracks are often repetitive and hypnotic, with little development over their duration. This gave rise to the popular label “intelligent dance music” (IDM) being applied to Autechre and similar acts.
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works II
Richard D. James, better known by his alias Aphex Twin, is a British electronic musician and composer. He is best known for his influential and idiosyncratic work in styles such as ambient techno and intelligent dance music during the 1990s. He is also the co-founder of Rephlex Records with Grant Wilson-Claridge. selected ambient works II, released in 1994 on Warp Records, is the second studio album by James under the Aphex Twin alias. The album was released to critical acclaim; John Bush of AllMusic described it as “one of the most remarkable listens in electronic music”.
The album consisted of two parts: “Selected Ambient Works” and “Selected Ambient Works Volume II”. The former contained mostly up-tempo tracks while the latter was mostly downtempo. The tracks on the album were recorded using analog synths, digital samplers, and early drum machines, including the AKAI S900 and MPC60. Many of the tracks were created by manipulating field recordings James had made of his surroundings.
The cover art for selected ambient works II was designed by graphic designer Chris Bigg under James’s direction. Bigg had previously designed artwork for other Warp releases, including Isolate’s Dislocate EP and Forgemasters’ Track with No Name single. The artwork features a QR code that can be scanned with a QR code reader to reveal a hidden message.
Boards of Canada – Music Has the Right to Children
This is the album that made me fall in love with electronic music. Boards of Canada’s “Music Has the Right to Children” is an absolute masterpiece from start to finish. The production is incredible, and the melodies are just as beautiful as they are haunting. If you’re a fan of electronic music, this album is essential listening.
Burial – Untrue
Burial’s Untrue is one of the most essential electronic music albums. The album is a mix of 2-step, dubstep, and hip-hop, and was released in 2007. The album was widely acclaimed, and has been called one of the best albums of the 2000s.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are some of the most essential electronic music albums that have influenced the genre and shaped it into what it is today. From early innovators like Kraftwerk to contemporary giants like Aphex Twin, these records are essential listening for anyone interested in electronic music.
