Top 10 Greatest Genres of Electronic Music

Do you love electronic music? So do I. That's why I'm making this awesome list. If you want to add various subgenres, go ahead.
The Top Ten
1 Dubstep

Electro house, maybe, but progressive house is all so similar, and big room house is normally complete crap. Dubstep is more complex than house based on the beat pattern, and dubstep producers are diverse with it, making liquid dubstep, heavy dubstep, and aggressive dubstep. My favorite song of all time is electro house, though.

Complex rhythms, a plethora of atmospheres ranging from day-at-the-beach type of chill to just plain futuristic and badass. And that attitude... listen to the Dubstep Allstars series and you will not be disappointed.

While not as popular or danceable as house music, the feeling you get from the drop in dubstep is incomparable. Dubstep is loud, heavy, and makes for some of the best fight music. It's number one for me.

2 House

Electro House seems to be overrated and too commercialized, mostly Bigroom House than anything else. But, they should at least bring us back the original Progressive House from before this decade in the 2010s. If anything, they should give other genres a chance. "Future House" sounds more like New York Garage/Garage House than Deep House. Some people need to learn its origins too, if that helps.

But if anything, I'd go for other genres besides Electro House (unless it was Moombahcore, probably). Anything other than that is alright with me, unless they come up with more Electro House cheesy garbage along the way. If anything, underground or early House is where it's at.

I've seen that many artists of other genres make awful opinions of House and Electro. Just because these genres have such popularity doesn't mean they are commercial at all. Yes, it is true they are getting lots of promotion, but you don't have to criticize just because this type of music is the favorite for most people.

The feeling of listening to House or Electro is a fantastic experience. It turns you on, it makes you want to dance or scream. That's music.

3 Downtempo

Very meditational, melodic music, with a relatively slow rhythm of beats, sometimes more Breakbeat/Hip-Hop-like, sometimes more 4-4 like (a slow version of) Trance/Techno/House. This genre is not always easy to separate from Ambient, as there is a gradual transition between them. Also, it is very closely related to Trip-Hop, and not easy to separate from it either.

I'm very surprised that Downtempo is not yet on this list. It's definitely one of my favourite subgenres.

Underrated. I'm not sure what it is about this genre, but it's fantastic.

4 Techno

I can only say: It's the purest form of rhythm and full of energy. The feeling of excitement cannot be described in words. Amazing.
This is clearly not about much melody here, but we have other amazing genres for that.

The father of all EDM. Every good techno set is a live performance, unlike house DJs/producers who just transition the same way through every track for their set. Techno should be #1 on this list.

Techno is surely number one now. Just look at all the festivals across Europe. Yeah, I've seen cheesy Trance in the USA, but number one DJ Carl Cox plays mostly Techno and just fluffs it up for Ibiza. Trance was great and massive in the mid-90s, ref see Carl Cox Fact, a pivotal dance album DJ mix.

5 Intelligent Dance Music

Intelligent Dance Music should be added to the list. One of the most innovative artists in Electronic music, Aphex Twin, is a guy who knows what he is doing. He writes his own programs and owns many rare synths. Hope you will add it to the list, thank you.

So much great music in this genre. Unfortunately, it constantly gets beaten down by the popular, trashy EDM of today. Younger listeners who listen to Deadmau5 and Skrillex should know that they listened to Aphex Twin and Autechre as kids! IDM needs more attention.

Intelligent Dance Music (IDM) is more for the thoughtful listener who wants food for thought yet can't resist an addictive beat. Examples include VNV Nation, Mesh, Apoptygma Berzerk, Assemblage 23, and Colony 5.

6 Trance

Trance music is the most unique genre that can take you into a beautiful, emotional, and wonderful journey of pure emotions with endless euphoria. It connects you with your best life moments to make you smile and uplifts you without any drugs, especially Uplifting Trance.

Best music electronic genre of all time. Should be number one. House was ruined when it started to become mainstream due to David Guetta and his pop-sounding music. Trance has managed to evolve without killing itself, definitely number one.

I've been listening to trance since my childhood. One of the earliest and the best. Never gets old. ATB, Armin Van Buuren, Darude, Scatman John, Dash Berlin, Guru Josh... We will never forget these names.

7 SynthPop

SynthPop is the genre of the new generation. Most rock bands influenced by this genre try to make electronic beats with a touch of rock by fusion of rock and electronic music. This genre comes with great artists like "Radiohead", one of the leading bands in this genre. "Kid A" is a masterpiece of their creativity within this genre. Another one is Depeche Mode, and then Muse, which recently turned to this genre. Electronic rock rules.

This was a genre that had its roots in the 60s, but its current form has been around since the 80s. Celldweller and Blue Stahli have kept it alive. You should check out both of them. -LitSavage.

Yes, this is my favorite music genre. Celldweller and Blue Stahli are my all-time favorites. They are the electronic rock musicians and the best music artists, in my opinion. -Trollishman1.

8 Electro House

After thinking about it, this is my favorite. I realized how much of the music I was listening to was electro house. I like the heavy bass line that sounds a lot like dubstep, but doesn't wobble. It also always puts me in a good mood. Despite its mechanical sound, it seems to still have soul. You just need to get used to it. And yes, electro songs can be considered "beautiful". You just have to get into it. It's my favorite genre ever right now, second only to rock.

Electro House encompasses a lot of the most talented producers. The genre requires a comprehensive melodic/harmonic structure, melodies, countermelodies, drum lines, and overall a lot of theory. While I appreciate more minimalistic forms of music, electro/progressive house is a joy to dance and listen to alike. Shout out to hardstyle and trance/psytrance as well.

This has to be a lot higher. House has its sub-subgenres, and this is its best.

9 Drum and Bass

The confines of drum and bass are looser than a lot of other sounds, allowing it to splinter off into hip-hop, house, dubstep, or juke anytime it pleases, while staying true to the original sound system culture that took Jamaican music global and paved the way for the darker side of modern electronic music.

Not only the best EDM genre but one of the best genres in general. It has influenced almost every single genre of EDM music. Plus, it made jungle music, which is England's black youths' answer to American hip-hop.

Drum N' Bass feels under-appreciated, especially out of all those times it has impressed me. Most of my favorite EDM tracks are Drum N' Bass. I think it's because of the fast-paced elements, sometimes mixed with some hard beats.

10 Ambient

Sometimes this genre can be boring, but other times, it can be fun, relaxing, and meaningful. I suggest this genre to people who really like classical music and are new to electronic music, or haven't found anything good. If you want to listen to this, I suggest you listen to "Windowlicker" by Aphex Twin and "Extreme Ways" by Moby.

Also, the song "Extreme Ways" is a really cool combination of Ambient and Alternative Rock. So, I suggest you listen to it if you like Alternative Rock, which is my second favourite music genre. Electronica would be my favourite, and Ambient is a subgenre of Electronica. So that's what I recommend if you want to start listening to this genre. - DarkBoi-X

Ambient and really any of the downtempo genres are my favorites. Ambient, Trip-Hop, Chillout, Electronica, Minimalist, Avant-Garde, New Age, and what I have deemed "electro-classical", where large, orchestral sections (usually strings) provide the backing music while electronic noises, synths, bleeps, beats, and ambient sounds are layered over the top of it.
My favorite electronic song is "Frozen" by Madonna, which I put under "electro-classical."

The Contenders
11 Trip Hop

Like Downtempo (very related to it and not always easy to separate), very melodic and with relatively slow beats. It's a fusion genre, with many influences of popular music, often called "Instrumental Hip-Hop".

I absolutely love Trip Hop. It's so soothing and easy to incorporate into other more commercially successful genres of music.

Trip Hop is my favourite, although I have to say my idea of what Trip Hop is, is much less 90s and white than what a lot of other people think it is.

12 Drumstep

I never really liked Dubstep. The older stuff was quite good, but the newer Dubstep? No way, I hate it. As for Drum & Bass, I was already into that genre. It wasn't until I discovered the genre Drumstep that I suddenly got into that certain kind of genre. The thing I like about this genre is, obviously, because it's faster rather than slow, the bass is better, and the way it is all put together makes it a great genre.

Do I need to explain this? This genre is far superior to the others! Drumstep is like a mix of House, Trap, and Dubstep. I highly recommend this to all those who are fans of Dubstep, House, and Trap.

Drumstep is, as you may have known, a fusion between Drum & Bass and Dubstep. The differences are that Dubstep is usually around a range of 138 - 142 BPMs, compared to Drumstep which is around 160 - 180 BPMs. Another difference is that Drumstep has heavier sub-basslines influenced by Drum & Bass and 'half-time' percussion, snares, kicks, or beats.

In my opinion, I never really liked the newer Dubstep that has been around, but mostly preferred the older stuff, and I'm also into B. However, when I started to come across Drumstep, I thought it was really good and since then I have become interested in this genre.

If anything, the best example of this genre would be Skibadee Feat. Lily McKenzie - Never Gonna Break (Sub Zero Remix).

13 Ambient Techno
14 Glitch
15 Breakbeat

One of the best influences of Hip Hop in the 80's was the music that brought everyone together. The best influences from the scene were boomboxes, breakdancing, and having fun, unlike the southern hip hop scene nowadays on the radio. Best breakbeat artists include Hashim, Afrika Bambaataa, Davy DMX, Dynamix II, 2 Live Crew, and Cybotron.

16 Deep House

One of the most timeless forms of electronic music is Deep House. It often has an acoustic feeling, and even though it's mainly designed for lounges, it can be danced to as well.

Underground Deep House is journey inducing. Simply the best for me.

17 Breakbeat Hardcore

1993 was my most favourite era, with the Jungle, Darkside, and Hardcore sounds all colliding at the same time with a similar tempo but vastly different sounds and feel. No need for funky effects or anything else, the music stands by itself, each track taking the listener on a journey - wherever that may be.

18 Synthwave

Amazing genre if you're looking for some retro sounds with an action beat and some good kicks. Lots of really nice synths, and some great melodic chords. However, if you want something a bit more relaxing, you can always look to vaporwave.

Highly underrated genre. Amazing synths and some damn good drums.

I honestly can't get tired of it.

19 Progressive House

Definitely the best EDM genre in my opinion. Progressive House can be so chill yet so hard at the same time. Check out deadmau5 and Eric Prydz.

Despite the beautiful and uplifting melodies, the drop in Progressive House can still bang hard and create ambiance and emotion.

Have you ever listened to I Remember?

20 Acid Techno
21 Hardstyle

Hardstyle is an energetic genre that combines the hard, pounding rave beats of Hardcore with beautiful or dark, trancey melodies. It is a sort of medium of EDM that can cater to both sides: people looking for music they can really dance to, but can also connect with emotionally. A flexible genre, it is able to incorporate elements of many other genres such as House, Trance, Trap, Dubstep, Acid, Hardcore, Psychedelia, and Techno into a big melting pot of electronic goodness. Always a crowd-pleaser, ending a show with Hardstyle guarantees a bang. Hardstyle will always be my favourite genre as it is just a spine-tingling trip of energy, drive, and euphoria. Notable artists that are or were at the top of the Hardstyle game include Headhunterz, Showtek, Noisecontrollers, and Gunz For Hire.

Hardstyle is a crazy, legendary music genre which is held at rave festivals and has great melodies and beats in its music, which is also great to dance to. The scene is ruthless. This music genre feels (mostly to me) as if it gives you a charge of positive energy.

The best song that influenced me to the genre was Noisecontrollers - Jaydee. It sounds addictive, and the whole song has awesome vibes.

22 French House

Not sure what it is about the French music scene, but it's pretty special.

23 Future Bass

*Kawaii future bass (also called Kawaii bass) - it's future bass known for its happy and cute timbre and strongly influenced by Japanese pop culture.

*Future Trap - This is a fusion between future bass and trap. It has some future bass features with trap vibes. Notable artists are San Holo, Rogue, and Bishu.

Future Bass isn't too hardcore, so a lot of people can just enjoy the serenity of the songs while also hyping many others. It's a great genre that is overlooked.

I love Future Bass. It has a really melodic feel to all the synths, which gives the track a more energetic vibe but still keeps its chill nature. It's just a really enjoyable experience.

24 Glitch Hop

A mix of funky beats and sick dubstep vibes. What is there not to love? My recommended artist is Opiuo. He makes true Glitch Hop.

25 Electronic Dance Music (EDM)

I like music that makes you get up and dance but also gives you a chance to fall down...

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