Steve PMHNumerous names pop when we start talking about EDM, but most people agree that this music genre was first introduced by the German band Kraftwerk in the 1970s.
In addition, there are other famous names that every EDM fan knows, like Carl Cox, Richie Hawtins, and Tiesto.
But what are the different types of EDM? How many subgenres are there, and what sets them apart?
Luckily, you’ve come across this article because we’ll answer all your questions.
What is EDM?
Before jumping to the subgenres, we need to identify EDM itself.
EDM or electronic dance music is a broad term that refers to various percussive music genres.
Unlike other music genres, EDM relies more on digital equipment like drum machines and synthesizers. In some cases, EDM tracks also include samples from previous recordings.
Compared to other music genres, EDM relies a lot less on live singing and instrumental play. They might be included in some tracks, but they aren’t the most notable features of this genre.
EDM has several well-known features like rhythmic and robust percussion. This is why it’s one of the most popular types of music played in bars, gym classes, and music festivals.
It’s characterized by being the kind of music that people can dance to for extended periods.
Electronic dance music has been evolving for almost 50 years, but probably the highlight of its evolution is when Madonna’s Ray of Light hit the market in 1998.
Ever since then, several names like Daft Punk and David Guetta have managed to push EDM to the top of American and European music charts.
Moreover, a lot of pop and R&B musicians recorded tracks with EDM artists, making this music genre even more popular.
What Are the Types of EDM Music?
EDM can be broken down into numerous subgenres and niches. As a matter of fact, new subgenres keep on emerging all the time, providing music lovers with new tunes.
Below, we’ll talk about the most famous 10 genres of EDM, their most notable traits, famous artists, and subgenres.
1. House Music
House Music is probably the most popular genre of EDM. It originated in the dance clubs of Chicago in the 1980s and continues to be one of the most loved dance music to this day.
It later traveled to London and other American cities until it became an international phenomenon.
House music is characterized by the famous repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and has a tempo that ranges between 120 and 130 BPM. It’s the most common type of EDM you’ll probably hear in music festivals and clubs.
People love House because of its sweet melodies and beautiful vocals. It’s usually considered good vibe music that puts people in a good mood. The main famous DJs of House include David Guetta, Bob Sinclar, Tiesto, and Zedd.
Subgenres of House Music
- Acid House is characterized by the basslines and squelching sounds of the electronic bass synthesizer. It was first created in Chicago in the mid-1980s and later traveled to London and Manchester, where it became popular.
- Deep House is known for the spacious use of the Roland TR-909 drum machine and lower tempos that range between 110 and 125 BPM. It also features mellow vocals and advanced chord structures.
- Ambient House emerged to the music scene in the late 1980s, where it combined elements from ambient music and Acid House.
- Big Room House originated in Europe, especially Norway and Sweden. The music is characterized by minimal melodies, long buildups, and electro-style drops.
2. UK Garage Music
UK Garage Music or UKG is a hard style of House that originated in London. It features a 4 by 4 beat line, and the use of the snare drum and cymbals is rather prominent. It also usually incorporates time-stretched vocals.
UKG is primarily inspired by Garage House, Dance Pop, and Jungle Music. In most cases, tracks would feature sped-up verses or slightly altered sections of earlier tracks.
The tempo is usually between 125 and 150 BPM, and famous DJs include MJ Cole, Wiley, and Artful Dodger.
Subgenres of UK Garage Music
- Future Garage is a softer version of UKG. It features pitched vocal chops and warm bass.
- Breakstep is a little bit more aggressive form of UKG that led to the emergence of Dubstep.
- Speed Garage is a sped-up version of UKG with breakbeats and snares.
3. Techno Music
Techno Music evolved between the mid-1980s and 1990s in Detroit and is famous for its faster tempo that’s usually between 125 and 150 BPM.
It usually has a darker tone and repetitive beats. It also features a lot of industrial sounds.
DJs usually use sequencers and synthesizers and incorporate slow, gradual changes. Notable artists include Juan Atkins, Adam Beyer, and Nicole Moudaber.
Subgenres of Techno Music
- Acid Techno features harsh acidic squelching sounds. It originated in the US with influences from German Trance. It later developed into other niches like Free Techno and Tecno Brega.
- Dub Techno developed in the early 1990s in Europe, especially in Berlin, with elements from Dub music.
- Tecno Brega was developed in Northern Brazil, and it’s characterized by remixing pop songs from the 1980s. Notable artists include Gaby Amarantos and Pabllo Vittar.
4. Trance Music
Trance Music developed from the new-age music that emerged in the 1990s in the UK and Germany. It usually features a 110 to 150 BPM and is characterized by its instrumental buildup and less emphasis on vocals.
When people listen to trance music, they get lost in another world, which explains the name of the genre. Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, and Paul Van Dyke are among the most famous Trance DJs.
Subgenres of Trance Music
- Goa Trance comes from the Indian state of Goa as a modernized version of the music that’s been used in ancient shamanic dancing rituals. The music usually features thick and low drums with heavy use of synthesizers.
- Psychedelic Trance or PSY features layered melodies and fast riffs. It has a distinctive bass beat and a higher tempo than other trance subgenres.
- Uplifting Trance or energetic trance comes from Germany, with a much lighter tone than the Goa Trance.
5. Dubstep Music
Dubstep Music focuses on the use of sub-bass frequencies with some screeching sounds. The extended bass note is manipulated, and the percussion is stopped, followed by another more intense bass.
This genre originated in London but soon began to become extremely popular among bass lovers. The tempo can be as low as 70 BPM or as fast as 140 BPM. DJs usually use a technique known as rewinds or reloads.
By 2011, Dubstep Music became extremely popular in the US. Notable artists include Skrillex, Slander, Knife Party, and Modestep.
Subgenres of Dubstep Music
- Ambient Dub is a fusion of Dubstep with ambient music. It’s characterized by layering techniques and harmonic sounds.
- Brostep is a popular subgenreof Dubstep Music that evolved in the US. It’s characterized by its aggressive bass.
- Liquid Dubstep is a chilled and laid-back subgenre of Dubstep. It’s more melodic, and the bass is less aggressive.
6. Drum and Bass Music
Drum and Bass or D’n’B Music focuses on the solid drum beats and bass lines, which make it more defined than Dubstep.
The fast breakbeats that characterize this music genre have a tempo between 160 and 180 BPM, which listeners describe as a sound that can be felt in the bones.
D’n’B appeared for the first time in the UK but later became popular in other countries like New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
This genre is dominated by a limited number of record labels, and famous artists include Sub Focus, Roni Size, Netsky, and Nu: Tone.
Subgenres of Drum and Bass Music
- Darkstep is a dark subgenre of Drum and Bass music, borrowing elements from hardcore and industrial music.
- Hardstep uses more aggressive basslines and simple electronic melodies.
- Techstep relies on influences from science fiction culture, which makes it sound surreal.
7. Hard Dance Music
Hard Dance Music is a popular EDM genre that originated in the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium. It features elements of metal, hardcore rock, and hardcore techno. It’s usually considered as an evolution of Hard House.
The tempo is usually 150 BPM, and the musicians utilize distorted sawtooth kicks. The rhythm can be considered more violent than other genres of EDM. Notable artists include Headhunterz, Ran-D, and Yoji.
Subgenres of Hard Dance Music
- Gabber combines elements from Hard Techno and Hard Dance Music. It’s characterized by heavier beats and darker themes.
- Happy Hardcore or 4 Beat shows several piano rolls, and generally uplifting vocals, unlike other subgenres of Hard Dance Music.
- Freestyle is a subgenre developed in the US by Hispanic Americans and Italian Americans. The drums are Latin-based, with a large emphasis on the lead synthesizer and percussion.
8. Moombahton Music
Moombahton Music is a fusion genre that combines elements from House and Reggaeton. Because of its salsa-like beats, many listeners describe it as the genre that works for those who don’t like EDM.
The tempo is usually around 110 BPM, and it features dramatic builds. Moombahton Music features thick and spread-out basses with the bouncy drums adding the reggaeton elements.
Notable artists include Dave Nada, who actually created and introduced this genre for the very first time in 2009. Other names include Zeds Dead, Major Lazer, Dillon Francis, and Yellow Claw.
Subgenres of Moombahton Music
- Moonbahsoul combines elements from Soul, Chill, and Deep House with backed drums from the Moombahton to add texture and depth.
- Moombahcore shows Dubstep influences combined with the distinctive drum style of the Moombahton. It features elements from Techstep and Newstyle Hardcore, and is characterized by its distorted bass and complex percussions.
9. Breakbeat Music
Breakbeat Music relies heavily on the distinctive breaking beats that can be heard in other genres of EDM.
These breakbeats are also used in different music genres like Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Hip Hop. However, there’s a greater emphasis on these beats in Breakbeat Music.
The Breakbeat tempo is between 110 and 150 BPM, and this range allows artists to incorporate several music styles and genres. Notable artists include Fatboy Slim, Bassnectar, and The Crystal Method.
However, the popularity of this music genre resulted in some legal issues, as record labels would sell digital audio samples that contained the work of other artists to help artists create their breakbeats.
In most cases, these samples are sold without the artist’s permission.
Subgenres of Breakbeat Music
- Progressive Breaks is a fusion between Breakbeat and Progressive House. It usually features extended synthesizer pads and washes, an emphasis on reverberation, and melodic synth leads.
- Psychedelic Breakbeat or Psybreaks builds around Psychedelic Music and later created a fusion with Psychedelic Trance.
- Broken Beat combines several types of rhythm played in the 4/4 meter.
10. Downtstep Music
Downstep or Downtempo Music is a softer genre of EDM. It combines softer melodies and pretty vocals that are usually played at a slower tempo.
Downstep Music has a tempo that usually ranges between 80 and 110 BPM. It’s usually played as a warm-up or cool-down music at clubs, and some listeners even consider it too soft to be considered EDM.
This music genre originated in the UK in the mid-1980s with a focus on gentle melodies and slower beats. Notable artists include Moby, Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, and Zero 7.
Subgenres of Downstep Music
- Trip Hop originated in Bristol in the UK. It’s a fusion of Hip Hop and EDM and is characterized by beats that are slower than both genres. It also features elements from Jazz, Funk, and Dub. It usually features female vocals singing in Jazz or R&B styles.
- Space Music or Space Ambient is a new-age fusion genre that’s often referred to as moving and hypnotic. It’s usually associated with lounge music, elevator music, and easy listening.
- Chillwave is a nostalgic music genre that features elements from EDM and the popular pop songs of the early 1980s. It usually features vintage synthesizers, slow tempos, and mellow vocals.
- Lofi Hip Hop is a mix of Hip Hop and Chill-Out Music. It became quite popular among YouTube streamers.
