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While the term "EDM" has been a buzz term for the last few years, electronic dance music has been here for decades. And no matter how you slice it, we can't see the term EDM and lump every style and artist that puts out electronic music into one pot. It does a disservice to the individuals making the music, and the people who have been documenting the music. We're at a crossroads, though; we are documenting the EDM scene, but want people to know that the world of electronic dance music is more than just the DJs on the Ultra main stage.
You can't really blame the outside media for any confusion with the term EDM, though – if no one is giving them a simple guide to differentiate dubstep from house, how can you get so cross when they mess a term up? The onus is on us to provide them with some guidance. And while this guide isn't a complete beginning-to-end picture of each genre, we've provided snapshots of each of the more popular styles of EDM for those seeking guidance to explore, to make more informed choices for festivals, or just to avoid embarrassment in conversation. In this guide, you'll find some of the most well-known genres in EDM today, with a listing of notable subgenres, artists, and labels within each, as well as examples (both old and new) of each genre's sound. Take your time and enjoy your journey through our comprehensive guide of EDM genres.
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