Exploring Music Genres: EDM

EDM, short for Electronic Dance Music, is a broad genre primarily produced using digital technology and designed for dancing. EDM has become a major part of festivals and modern youth culture, with many subgenres and styles that evolve alongside new technology music.

EDM developed from electronic dance music scenes in Europe and the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It grew out of earlier electronic genres such as techno, trance, and house. In the early to mid 2000s, electronic dance music gained wider popularity in clubs, as DJs and producers toured internationally and digital production tools became more accessible. In the late 2000s, label “EDM” began to be widely used to describe mainstream-friendly electronic dance music. EDM became fully mainstream in the early 2010s as it entered into pop charts. The mid to late 2010s saw bass-heavy and hybrid styles surge in popularity, with genre diversifying into many substyles and streaming platforms accelerating EDM’s global reach. Today, EDM blends with hip-hop, pop, and alternative sounds; producers have experimented with melodic, cinematic, and genre-crossing styles. The scenes continue to evolve through new production technology and online communities.

EDM production is built around repetitive, loop-based beats that are specifically designed for dancing. EDM heavily uses drops and build-ups to create energy and impact. The mixing prioritises a clean, loud, and polished sound, with a strong use of sound design and effects like delay and reverb. Most EDM tracks are produced using digital audio workstations (DAWs). Synthesizers are central instruments for basslines, chords, and leads, while digital percussion and drum machines provide rhythmic tools. Samplers are often used for effects and vocal chops. Laptops are a common performance tool, and EDM tracks usually feature a minimal use of traditional live instruments. Many EDM tracks are purely instrumental or use vocals sparingly for atmosphere. When vocals are present, they are often catchy and heavily processed. The lyrics are usually focused on freedom, self-expression, emotional release, and love. 

EDM features a wide range of artists whose work has significantly shaped the genre. Avicii, a Swedish remixer, DJ, and record producer,  helped bring melodic EDM into the mainstream. In 2013, he released the hit single “Wake Me Up,” which blended EDM with pop and folk elements, massively expanding the genre’s audience. Calvin Harris, the Scottish DJ, singer, and record producer known for EDM-pop crossover hits, released his third studio album “18 Months” in 2012. The album dominated global charts and helped popularise EDM within pop music. Martin Garrix, born in 1996, rose to fame at a young age as EDM boomed. In 2013, he released one of his most well known singles, “Animals.” It became a defining track due to its huge festival impact and minimal drop.

EDM is a broad and influential genre that grew from underground electronic scenes into a globally recognised movement, defined by its strong connection to club and festival culture. Although trends change, EDM continues to be driven by technology and innovation, allowing it to evolve while staying firmly rooted in electronic and dance-focused music.