Beginner's guide: Breakdown to EDM

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Diversity comes in many shapes, sizes and musical make-up. As a music enthusiast, the difference in the types of electronic dance music (EDM) is observably diverse, it’s like saying everybody is the same because they are human. The subgenres in EDM carry different personalities and different feels to it. Sure, one can try to incorporate the fancy footwork in dancing, assuming that all EDM will sound similar to those in the dubstep or techno category, but depending on the genre of EDM spinning, the shuffle may end up as suitable as a kitten in water.

Deep House

This subgenre is definitely a #lounge type feel, the type of music you’d hear playing at a cool, low-key bar. Any place where people can sit down and soak in the soul of the beats is a great place. The sound plays at comfortable, relaxing rates and rarely deliver heavy drops. The tempo deep house generally consists of between 120 to 125 beats per minute.

Vibe: relax, ambient, dark

Artists: Rainer and Grimm, Robin Schulz, Duke Dumont, Disclosure

See track example: Rainer and Grimm: “Break My Fall” https://soundcloud.com/rainerandgrimm/golden-coast-break-my-fall-rainer-grimm-remix

Dubstep

A genre that is typically recognizable by the quick, heavy bass and beats bumping synchronically together. Dubstep does not typically include actual lyrics in the songs, just solid musical patterns. This is a good option for dancers as it is easy to become absorbed in the beats and sounds, keeping dancing alive all night long.

Vibe: up-beat, aggressive, strong

Artists: Skrillex, Flux Pavilion, Bassnectar, Nero, Skream

See track example: Skrillex: “Bangarang” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVmu6yttiw

Moombahton

If house music and reggaeton had a baby, it would be a moombahton. A track could have listeners whining and grinding one minute, and bouncing to electro beats the next. Expect lyrics topping a dancehall tune with dramatic beat build-ups, leading up to more electro.

Vibe: intense, anticipating build-up, reggae, up-beat

Artists: Major Lazer, Bro Safari, Dillion Francis, Knife Party

See track example: Major Lazer featuring Sean Paul: “Come On To Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z9t0VkxPCY

Progressive House

This is one of the most popular and commonly heard genre within electronic dance music, usually carrying a happy, fast-paced feel to the songs. The tracks are composed of verses, build-ups and then a drop or two, basically like its name suggests, a progressive build-up to the anticipated climax for listeners.

Vibe: dance, catchy, happy, festival

Artists: Zedd, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, deadmau5

See track example: Martin Solveig featuring GTA: “Intoxicated” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Rq2TX0wj4

Techno

Originating from Detroit, techno generally delivers repetitive instrumentals, with a tempo varying between 120 to 150 beats per minute. This style is a fast, electronic sound that typically doesn’t have vocals.

Vibe: dance, fast, electronic sound

Artists: Boys Noize, Carl Cox, Oliver Heldens (a bit of a mix)

See track example: Oliver Heldens: “Gecko” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjx2oc2NRzA

Trance

Think about the state of being in a trance: half-conscious daze, with diminished sensory or motor movement. This Germany-originated style usually presents tracks that give off that type of vibe with repetitive melodies that build up and break down. Did I mention trance is usually repetitive? Yea, emphasis on that!

Vibe: slow, repetition, long

Artists: Armin Van Buuren, Tiēsto, Above and Beyond, Dash Berlin

See track example: Armin van Buuren: “In and Out of Love” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrKNb5uwjxQ

Trap

If I had to describe this style in one sentence: electronic music incorporated with a hip-hop touch. For the mutual love of mixing build-ups, drops and breakdowns, trap music is here. It is a collision of hip-hop lyrical turned more up beat, making it extremely suitable to play on the dance floor.

Vibe: hiphop, upbeat, hoodrat/heavy

Artists: Fanshawe alumni Keys n Krates, Carnage, Flosstradamus, RL Grime

See track example: Keys n Krates: “Dum Dee Dum” https://soundcloud.com/keysnkrates/dum-dee-dum

Tropical House

This is the type of playlist somebody would search up on Spotify or 8tracks to bump on a beautiful summer day at the beach. This subgenre of deep house carries an electro aspect that has been slowed and calmed, guaranteed to turn any mood into a happy, chill one.

Vibe: calm, summer, beach, relaxing

Artists: Kygo, Clean Bandit, Matoma

See track example: Kygo: “Firestone” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sc-ir2UwGU

There it is, a beginner’s guide to listening and distinguishing different subgenres of electronic dance music. Hopefully it has helped many grasp an idea on just how wide the range can be. Respect the diversity.