How To Like Electronic Music?

[j4rio]

I used to listen exclusively to metal probably over half of my life. Now I can't bring myself to withstanding a single song from any metal genre whatsoever and any sound even resembling a guitar makes me instantly uninterested. Go over a vast variety of genre mixes and something will most likely stick at some point, that's all there really is to it.

[Murdoch]

On 12/30/2020 at 5:01 AM, DSC said:

 

And thats what I'm asking. How exactly do I learn how to like this genre?

 

Listen to some. Does it...

 

1. Make your brain do a happy?

2. Make you pumped up and want to dance or run or workout?

3. Make you want to take a power drill to your eardrums?

 

If answer is 3, cease listening and listen to something less likely to inspire thoughts of self mutilation.

 

Ok being silly but seriously I understand the desire to want to like something, but it is completely misguided. We like what we like. There is no shame in not liking something.

Edited December 31, 2020 by Murdoch

[alLAN95th]

 

[P41R47]

3 hours ago, Chopkinsca said:

You can also jump into the dark end of the pool. Oh of course it is age-restricted. The artist is Suicide Commando if you want to know what you are getting into by clicking.

SUICIDE COMMANDO - DIE MOTHER FUCKER

 

Good stuff, pal!

I don't know why, but it remind me a lttle to the more experimental side of Public Image Limited.

And the singer kinda looks alike Johnny Rotten, too.

[j4rio]

3 hours ago, Chopkinsca said:

You can also jump into the dark end of the pool. Oh of course it is age-restricted. The artist is Suicide Commando if you want to know what you are getting into by clicking.

 

SC is basically a staple of "mainstream" harsher electronics. Dude makes more money than other radio-friendly Belgian popstars. He admitted that in an interview himself. It's a nice introduction, but if we're talking dark ends, the rabbit hole still gets so very deep.

 

 

[Chopkinsca]

23 minutes ago, j4rio said:

SC is basically a staple of "mainstream" harsher electronics. Dude makes more money than other radio-friendly Belgian popstars. He admitted that in an interview himself. It's a nice introduction, but if we're talking dark ends, the rabbit hole still gets so very deep.

 

Yep, he is a good introduction. I don't really listen to much of his stuff these days. That's a banging song you posted.

[Bucket]

Education is the key - and there is no better resource for learning about electronic music than Ishkur's Guide.

https://music.ishkur.com/

[Boaby Kenobi]

 

[Gokuma]

I think this guy is amazing.   He also builds incredible things.  He's like electro-mechanical punk.   Or the real deal cyberpunk.

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCafxR2HWJRmMfSdyZXvZMTw

[Cruduxy Pegg]

Maybe you don't like specific instruments\beats that are used in electronic? Like this will qualify as electronic depending on who you ask but it is totally not what people usually expect from the genre

 

[seed]

I think it may simply require more exploration and digging deeper into the genre and its varieties in order to better understand and appreciate it. Part of the reason why you don't like may just as well be the fact that you haven't discovered a good artist or album yet, so all I can suggest is really to search for more, and see if it eventually clicks.

 

Then of course, there is always a chance it's just not your cup of tea no matter what, and that's fine, you don't have to like or care about every single genre out there.

[FractalBeast]

Given that you have a Pink Floyd pfp, you might want to look at IDM.

 

IDM is an umbrella term meaning "intelligent dance music". Basically, it's the prog rock of electronic dance music. You'll probably like at least one artist in the grouping, and since it's an umbrella term, it contains just about everything from pounding blood-curdling harsh music to beautiful almost-piano music with a twist.

[Gokuma]

LOL at people having to name a subgenre specifically "intelligent" to set it apart from other stuff.

[FractalBeast]

16 hours ago, Gokuma said:

LOL at people having to name a subgenre specifically "intelligent" to set it apart from other stuff.

It is what it is. All that matters is that a subgenre communicates what it is.

[DSC]

I've heard of that IDM thing. Isn't it also called braindance to make it sound less elitistic?

[insertwackynamehere]

IDM is an annoying name because it presumes dark, brooding, edgy music is more intelligent and uses “dance music” the way people use “electronica”. The reality is that in recent history, mainstream music was either band-driven or orchestra/composer-driven (and then eventually rapper-driven as a third thing).

Electronic music comes out of a weird history, mostly meshing with all of these other mainstream things seamlessly through the technology of music production but also with avante-garde electronic music production focused albums or songs.

 

Eventually it really gets a foothold in clubs as dance music evolves and people then associate “electronic music” with clubbing. But the reality is electronics have permeated music history for a century and where to draw the line is confusing. Further more, a lot of producers are acting more like composers when they work on stuff and like a classical composer a song/track may be written with dance rhythm in mind but it’s also transcending being just music written to dance to.

 

The role of the DJ versus the role of the music producer/creator is complicated because sometimes they overlap (live shows are the way to make money in the music industry it seems) and sometimes they are separate. Sometimes, a famous DJ is actually just the face of a two person act and the person writing the music mostly stays behind the scenes.

 

Without being aware of the wider scene there is the vague stereotype of DJs being annoying flashy people just pressing “play” which is of course sometimes true but not always, and the idea that all music someone produces in their bedroom is just schmaltzy club music. But it’s more like the “handful of guys on stage” mid-century western music band trope (rock, etc) is just one form of music that somehow weaseled its way into being seen as the most valid.

 

My point is that IDM sounds like a name thought up by someone who’s an apologist to this way of thinking (4 people on stage with guitar and drums is real music, that’s it, no exceptions) but still likes some music that doesn’t fit that bill and had to come up with a defensive name for it. And it encompasses a much smaller subset of electronic “dance” music than I would describe as “intelligent” (which is annoying word to use at all for music, anyway).

 

More actionably, as a trance fan (we get a lot of crap from people who think trance is stupid and/or dead), The Thrillseekers (who is actually one man despite the name) put out a great album at the end of 2019 that I’ve been listening to all year, called Altered State. It’s an album that flows from one track to the next, not an album of singles. The album also includes an alternate mix of tracks after the main ones which is a full reprise of the album, but stripped down in their production to not consider a club or rave at all. One of my friends who isn’t into this kind of music heard some on an Instagram story and said he liked it, as a Pink Floyd fan. Not everyone may have the same opinion but it’s transcending the understand of being dance music or electronic the way people see it.

[DooM Bear]

What are your favourite genres @DSC?

 

As many others have said, electronic music is a huge umbrella term like “metal” so you can most definitely find some form of electronic music inspired by whatever genres you are in to :-)

 

I saw you say metal and for that I would say check out “The Prodigy”. If you find them good, maybe give “Pendulum” a go next (a Drum and Base band - high tempo, high base stuff!) :-)

 

As for Pink Floyd kinda stuff, maybe check out some industrial techno (especially late 90’s / early 00’s German stuff - kinda droney but in a good way - like being in a factory full of heavy machinery).

 

Another good one to give you something variety straight off the bat might be something more melodic like “Above and Beyond”.

 

Lastly, don’t stress if it takes a little while to narrow in on which particular electronic sub genre you like :-) Once you that you will slowly be able to adjust (and most importantly enjoy!) other parts of the electronic genre :-)

 

Hope that helps :-)

 

P.s. even as a massive EDM (electronic dance music - just another name for “electronic”) fan myself, there are sub genres that I hate (like Dubstep and it’s derivatives) so it’s ok not to like some of it :-P

[DSC]

13 hours ago, DooM Bear said:

What are your favourite genres @DSC?

They are:

-metal. Thrash metal in particular is my favorite, but I also like traditional heavy, speed, NWOBHM and even some death;

-progressive rock. Don't really like progressive metal very much though, believe it or not;

-a pretty big chunk of classic rock too.

[DooM Bear]

16 hours ago, DSC said:

They are:

-metal. Thrash metal in particular is my favorite, but I also like traditional heavy, speed, NWOBHM and even some death;

-progressive rock. Don't really like progressive metal very much though, believe it or not;

-a pretty big chunk of classic rock too.

 

Awesome!

 

Yeah definitely recommend some Prodigy (although this might fall into the progressive metal category so let me know if your not a fan and I’ll keep searching for ya :-)) and pendulum (or other Drum and Base stuff) then for the thrash metal side (high temp, high intensity usually enjoyed most at 7am after 3oz of amphetamines XD)

 

 

 

As for classic rock, maybe some Deadmau5

 

 

 

Hope that helps but see if any of them have any parts you like / parts you dislike and let us know and we can narrow in for you from there :-D

[DooM Bear]

Oh and meme answer just because I haven’t seen it here :-P

 

 

It genuinely is a banger though so might be worth a listen in case it is actually something your into :-D

[pilottobombadier]

I'm not a huge fan of electronic music, either (metalhead as well, speed, thrash and power metal are my poisons), although the music genres that I like span the majority of the spectrum.  I used to listen to a bit of Crystal Method, but my usual poison when it comes to electronic music is industrial metal.  

I do actually really like Pink Floyd...I have to say, not liking some of the recommendations for Floyd fans here.  

Here's what I'd suggest:  If you have Payday 2, listen to each song on the soundtrack, it covers a large swathe of the Electronica genre. 

Also, I completely agree with The Prodigy, particularly if you like any rock offshoot genre, period.  if you've never listened, I strongly recommend that you do.  Whether you like electronic music or not.  

[lazygecko]

On 1/4/2021 at 10:11 PM, insertwackynamehere said:

Electronic music comes out of a weird history, mostly meshing with all of these other mainstream things seamlessly through the technology of music production but also with avante-garde electronic music production focused albums or songs.

 

You can roughly categorize the history into 3 different eras. The first era was most of the 20th century, where electronic music was completely within the realm of visionary DIY engineers and professors creating their own gear, being made exclusively in labs/workshops and universities. And the style of music being made would also very much reflect that. The second era, starting some time in the 1970s was after the first commercial synthesizers had gained a foothold and started becoming commonplace in recording studios, gaining the attention of traditionally schooled musicians. And the era we are firmly in now is after the proliferation of computers and the internet completely democratized the creation and distribution of the music via cheap software and online platforms.

[DSC]

A bit of a bump, but I think it warrants it. I was listening to Klaus Sculze right now, and I've also gained an appreciation to other similar acts like Tangerine Dream and Jean-Michel Jarre, and it reminded me of this thread and to make an update. So... I guess I did gain some appreciation for the genre! Altough, they are arguably much closer to the realm of progressive rock, so I don't know how much of a progress it truly is, but oh well.

[CrocMagnum]

On 12/29/2020 at 5:01 PM, DSC said:

...And thats what I'm asking. How exactly do I learn how to like this genre?

They are so many sub-genres in Electronic music, there's actually a good chance you might find something to your liking. 

 

Over the years many terms have covered that kind of music: Electro, Synth-Pop, Electronica and today the most common term used is 'Synthwave'. 

 

Personally I discovered -and fell in love- with this style of music while playing videogames. Games like Unreal Gold, Unreal Tournament 1999, Deus Ex and Jack Jackrabbit 2 had that kind of music. Funny thing though the main composer of these albums is Alexander Brandon. 

 

Here're a few tracks to wet your appetite, the motto here is variety: 

 

College Dreams EP (Album): this album exhibits one prominent facet of Synthwave: Nostalgia, 

Magenta Nights (Album) by Ace Buchannon: Buns of Steel (track 2) is a memorable track and the whole album is worth a listen too,

3218 (Album) and Lord of Synth (Album) by Isidor: quite frankly the guy has released some quality albums in recent years, you might want to listen to his albums on Bandcamp, 

Redline (Album) by Lazerhawk (2010) and Outrun by Kavinsky (Album): the early bangers in the Outrun sub-genre, the kind of music you might like while driving,

Jazz Belmont was a track composed by Alexander Brandon for Jazz Jackrabbit 2, Electro music for a platformer game. This is a breathtaking tribute to the Castlevania games,  

Sniper Rouge by Mitch Murder, a legendary composer as far as Synthwave goes. Check his humongous discography on Bandcamp, the consistency in quality in his albums is admirable. Sniper Rouge was a Single born out of the collaboration between the japanese band 'Satellite Young' and 'Mitch Murder'. This track is notable for being overwhelmingly catchy, with Japanese female vocals, which would pass up for a single taken straight out from an OVA of the 90's, 

Alpine Glow by Starforce is a work-out music, another subgenre of Synthwave. This track would fare well in the Rocky IV movie, 

Extreme Pizza Power by Vincenzo Salvia. Work-out music too, 

Fragments of Bach I by Compilerbau: what if a genius composer would blend Synthwave and Classical music. Well,you get this track, and a whole album for that matter. This is one of the most unique albums in the Synthwave genre. 

...

Finally here's a Charts giving some pointers, with an album selection, to broaden your perspective: Synthwave Essential Album Chart v3

 

Edited February 28, 2022 by CrocMagnum

[Somniac]

Long story short, listen to Kraftwerk.

 

I like a lot of electronic, mainly dub techno and ambient but I like some jungle and drum and bass and a bit of house. Some essential names:

 

Basic Channel (label)

Chain Reaction (label)

Autechre 

Deepchord

Shinichi Atobe

Vladislav Delay

 

Bear in mind that getting into something like dub techno requires the understanding that "the drop" is probably where the hi hats come in. There are no big dancefloor drops in this music, it's mainly textural though features melodic elements.

[luke11685]

What kind of music genres? Electric Jazz Techno(Alexander Brandon),Synthwave,Trap,Acid,House,Skrillex...etc.?

[Naarok0fkor]

I love Ol'school...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHhD4PD75zY

 

[yakfak]

feel like you'd recommend laurie anderson's "big science" to a proghead looking for electronic music? or all that cluster tangerine dream berlin school stuff which is prog-related in any case. dunno. guitars are instruments, keys are instruments, drum machines are instruments, vst synths are instruments and programming's just as much a skill as performance is. then again as a teen listening to indie rock it took me a long time to admit that The Prodigy were cooler than anything I liked, you can get hang-ups which stop you listening to the music properly.

 

I missed your Radiohead thread but I think Lotus Flower is one of the top ten songs of all time <3 Radiohead's one of those bands who can write a hundred songs and still surprise me, where their textures and writing habits always return something brilliant imo

[Nine Inch Heels]

On 12/29/2020 at 11:01 AM, DSC said:

How exactly do I learn how to like this genre?

I don't think there is much of a point, to be perfectly honest...

 

I suppose I get the gist of it: You'd like to make accessible to yourself a genre which, thus far, did nothing for you. All of this is a matter of personal preference, though, and it's not like there's a shortage of, let's say for argument's sake, metal out there - which you could be enjoying right now...

 

I mean, myself, I don't like most of what radiohead has ever produced, but I love electronic music - I'm not sure if it's a "genre" kind of "problem" you have, or if it is some "I don't like radiohead" kinda deal.

 

Regardless, I'll put some electronic stuff in the spoiler below that I really like. It's gonna be all kinds of stuff you can check out at your leisure, and if there's something there you like, where you think there's "your personal rabbit hole" into the world of electronic music, or at least a small slice of it, then may the algorithm be ever in your favour...

 

Spoiler

DnB meets metal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX-HnQGbHyw

 

Some breakbeat:

https://youtu.be/rMXk9XYWQNI

 

Some techno:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlptJLHW7cQ

 

Drum and bass, but a lil different:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gb5_PRA-0I

 

Acid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE4lae15QlY

 

Dubstep:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSRnhcjxCSU

 

Dark Synth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgcSiL1itrA

 

 

Notice how none of this sounds like radiohead..? :P

 

[Grimosaur]

If you're into metal then you might like some more industrial style electronic?

You can check out other Aphex Twin if you like that style of really erratic, dense kind of electronic music.

 

But if you're more into Klaus Schulze and Jean Michel Jarre, just more kinda 70s style classic electronic stuff then you might like Boards of Canada - Geogaddi, Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Vol. II or a lot of albums by Gas. Electronic is more an instrument than a genre. The first thing that would have come to people's minds in the 70s when they thought of electronic music would have been more classical based stuff like Klaus Schulze and Jean Michel Jarre, but nowadays people will probably think of more drum n' bass and synthpop kind of electronic music. You can't think of electronic music as a genre in itself, you have to be more specific. Do you only like a certain kind of electronic sound? Like more textured, analogue kind of sounds?

 

Now that I think of it, the closest sound-wise to Klaus Schulze or Jean Michel Jarre these days would probably just be stuff like the Minecraft or Fez OST, but you can maybe try an album like 1000 Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto or some Yellow Magic Orchestra if it's more just that analogue 70s style of electronic you like.

 

https://rateyourmusic.com/charts/top/album/all-time/g:progressive-electronic/exc:live,archival/

Or you can just work your way through the progressive electronic chart on Rate Your Music, or whichever other electronic sub-genre you want to check out.

Edited February 28, 2022 by Grimosaur