Exploring the Many Subgenres of Electronic Music
1) Ambient Music
Ambient music is a genre of electronic music that is characterized by its atmospheric and peaceful soundscapes. This type of music is intended to create a calming background atmosphere for everyday activities or meditation. Artists create ambient music by using field recordings, sound manipulations, and synthesizers. Some famous musicians in this genre include Brian Eno, Gas, and Tim Hecker.
2) Dub Techno
Dub techno is a movement that originated in Berlin in the early 1990s and combines elements of dub music with techno music production techniques. Dub techno is usually characterized by a dark, minimal sound, with heavy basslines, and echoes. The sound is created using delay, reverb, and other effects to create a spacious and immersive atmosphere. Some significant dub techno artists include Basic Channel, Maurizio, and Monolake.
3) Drum and Bass
Drum and Bass is a high-energy subgenre of electronic dance music originating in the UK in the early 1990s. It is typically characterized by fast breakbeats, deep basslines, and chopped-up samples. Drum and Bass can be either instrumental or vocal-led, and it has a diverse range of styles, including liquid, jump-up, and jungle. Iconic artists of the Drum and Bass genre include Goldie, LTJ Bukem, and Andy C.
4) House Music
House music originates from Chicago in the early 1980s. It is characterized by its repetitive four-to-the-floor beat, which is layered with synthesizers, samples, and vocals. It was the first electronic genre to attain global popularity. House music has since branched into several subgenres, including Deep House, Acid House, and Tech House. Classic House music artists include Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, and Marshall Jefferson.
5) Techno
Techno is an electronic music genre that originated in Detroit in the mid-1980s. The music is characterized by its fast, repetitive beat, often with futuristic and industrial overtones. Techno is primarily instrumental and focuses on creating a hypnotic, dance-inducing soundscape. Some essential techno pioneers include Jeff Mills, Derrick May, and Juan Atkins.
6) Trance Music
Trance music originated in Germany in the early 1990s as a fusion of Techno and House music. It is characterized by its high BPM rate, distinctive and arpeggiated melodies, and a breakdown section where the tempo drops drastically before building up to a high climax. Trance Music has become a global phenomenon, with several subgenres including progressive trance and uplifting trance. Famous Trance artists include Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, and Paul van Dyk.
7) UK Garage
UK Garage is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the UK in the mid-1990s. It is a fusion of House music and Jungle. UK Garage features a 2-step beat and a bassline that typically uses deep, oscillating sub-bass sounds. It features MCs, and the lyric often focuses on urban life and love. UK Garage evolved into Grime in the early 2000s. and it's known for its driving bass and fast rapping. Some famous UK Garage artists include Craig David, MJ Cole, and DJ EZ.
8) Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the early 2000s. Dubstep features a sparse and syncopated beat with heavy sub-bass frequencies. Dubstep is often characterized by its use of the half-time rhythm, which creates a vibrant groove that is both bass-heavy and club-ready. Dubstep music has evolved to include subgenres like brostep and trap. Some famous Dubstep artists include Skrillex, Benga, and Kode9.
In conclusion, electronic music is a diverse genre of music that features many different subgenres characterized by their unique sound, production techniques, and structures. From Trance and House to Techno and Drum and Bass, there is something for everyone in the electronic music genre. So plug in your headphones and let's explore the vast world of electronic music.