The universe of music is a very complex one, full of genres and subgenres that evolve significantly every day. In the field of electronic musicsince its beginnings in the 1960s, we have seen over the years a sound experimentation and an innovative use of technology that has allowed it to grow to the point of covering a wide range of styles, each with its own characteristics that differentiate it from the rest, countless names of world-renowned artists and, of course, millions of followers in all corners of the world.
Since its establishment as a musical genre in the 1970s, electronic music has been seen as a kind of catalyst for innovation and creativityshowing us that the sounds of the songs have no limit. Artists, producers and DJs, together with their synthesizers, mixing consoles and production software, create unique soundscapes that range from the hypnotic and relaxing to the most energetic and forceful.
As there are many genres that are in the spectrum of so-called electronic music, we compiled which types you should write down and learn to differentiate if this summer you have attended a festival full of artists of this specialty and you are curious to know What are the styles that move in this field.
Types of electronic music
House
House is one of the genres oldest and most popular of electronic music. It emerged in Chicago in the early 80s and is characterized by its typical 4/4 rhythm, a tempo of 120 bpm and the use of synthesizers and basses. Subgenres of note that draw from it are deep house, known for its soft melodies and relaxed atmospheres, and tech house, which combines elements of techno and house and usually has a slightly faster tempo.
Techno
Like the previous one, it emerges in the United States, this time in Detroit. This style is known for its focus on more repetitive rhythms and somewhat minimalist structureswithout so many details. It should be noted that this is a genre that has evolved in multiple directions, giving rise to subgenres such as minimal techno, which focuses on simplicity and precision, and acid techno, famous for its more futuristic touch.
Drum and Bass
Known for its fast rhythms and hard-hitting bass sounds, drum and bass (D&B) originated in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s. It is said to be one of the children of rave musicbut it has evolved to the point where it resembles the rap of the late 80s, although with a speed multiplied by two, that is, about 160 bpm.
Trance
Trance is characterized by its hypnotic melodies and progressive structures. Emerging in the 1990s on the British music scene under the EDM influence (electronic dance music), this genre seeks to induce a state of trance and relaxation in listeners through its pulsating rhythms and emotional crescendos. This subgenre is mainly instrumental, although it sometimes features mixed soprano or mezzo-soprano voices.
Ambient
This is a genre that focuses on the creation of sound atmospheres and auditory landscapes. With influences from experimental music, ambient seeks evoke emotions and moods through sound textures, slow progressions and softer melodies. From this branch emerges a subgenre worth highlighting, such as dark ambient, with its darker and more mysterious tones.
Electro
Electro is characterized by its use of synthesizers, with a focus on mechanical and futuristic rhythms. Emerging in the 80s, this genre has influenced many other styles, especially pop music. In addition, subgenres such as electroclash appear from this variant, which mixes elements of electro and punk, and electro house, known for its energetic rhythms and catchy melodies. It could be said that this is the most commercial type of electronic music and that it most invades other more popularized styles.
Dubstep
Dubstep emerged in the city of London in the early 2000s, making it one of the newest subgenres of electronic music, although twenty years before, the first dupstep elements were found thanks to the fiestas sound system jamaicanas. Despite this, it does not extend considerably until the 2010s in the United States. It is distinguished by its syncopated rhythms and deep, swinging bass lines. Furthermore, this genre has influenced a wide range of musical styles, which they experiment with thanks to leaders such as Skrillex or DJ Snake.
Hardstyle
With very fast, forceful and overwhelming rhythms, hardstyle born in the Netherlands at the end of the 90s and took an impressive career, as it grew a lot in such a short time that despite being a new genre it was already the protagonist of many of the most recognized electronic music festivals in Europe. This style is for the most euphoric and energetic, as this may be the hardest and most aggressive electronic variant.
Breakbeat
Breakbeat draws from many other styles of music, although it is mainly known for sample hip-hop, jazz, R&B or funk drums. Although it does not feature an exact rhythm pattern, it generally features danceable rhythms and the use of simple repetitions throughout the entire song.
Industrial
This genre goes from the hand of rock and takes it to another level thanks to the electronic touch. The sounds are loud, provocative and mechanical, so listening to them can sometimes seem heavy, making it the favorite of those who love noise and distorted voices that make them escape from reality. With the passage of time, the term postindustrial emerged due to the mixture with styles such as folk or the attempt to create darker environments.
Futurewave
Mainly known as newbreed, this style, like many of the previous ones, arises from the mixture of several electronic subgenres, although nothing related to each other. One of the few things they might have in common is that they all Internet emerged in the 2010s, so they could be called “microgenres” that have more futuristic overtones, as their name suggests. Among them we find chillwave, for the calmest, or serious rave, for those who do not lack energy.
Disco
Although for many disco music is not so close to what is popularly known as electronic music, its description fits perfectly with this genre. During the 70s, both in Europe and the United States, disco music reigned on all the dance floorsto the sound of voices like those of Donna Summer or ABBA, among many others. Over time, disco music began to merge on many occasions with EDM and pop, adding new styles to the thousands and thousands that exist within the musical spectrum.
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