Electronic music genres
Electronic music covers a wide palette — from melodic synthpop to pulsating techno. Here are the main genres.
Synthpop
- When? Early 80s
- Characteristics: Melodic, synthesizer-based pop music
- Sound: Catchy choruses, atmospheric sound
- Today: Retro wave, new artists and legendary tours
New Wave
- When? Late 70s — 80s
- Characteristics: Punk energy + synthesizers
- Sound: Experimental, artistic, varied
Techno
- When? Mid 80s (Detroit)
- Characteristics: Repetitive, hypnotic rhythms
- Sound: Dark, mechanical, pulsating
House
- When? 80s (Chicago)
- Characteristics: Danceable, 4/4 beat
- Sound: Funky, soulful, energetic
Trance
- When? 90s
- Characteristics: Epic melodies, building intensity
- Sound: Euphoric, hypnotic
Ambient
- When? From the 70s
- Characteristics: Creates atmosphere, non-rhythmic
- Sound: Atmospheric, meditative
Genre blending
In modern electronic music, genres frequently blend. A contemporary artist might combine synthpop melodies with techno rhythms — and that's perfectly fine!
Live
Every genre has its own live experience. Synthpop concerts focus on melody and visuals, while techno events emphasize trance-like rhythms.
