What is IDM?

Have you ever heard of IDM?

Yes, IDM, not EDM. But they are close cousins. IDM stands for Intelligent Dance Music and it is a type of electronic dance music that combines elements of techno, electronic dance music, ambient, acid house, Chicago house, and breakbeat genres in a chill relaxing way.

IDM also embraces individual experimentation from artists who rely on experimental sound design and creative/distinct melodies and textures. The genre encourages people to listen closely to all of the details/different sounds and connect with the music. It is also said to be a direct influence on EDM and raves today.

The genre started in the UK and became an official style of music in 1992 when techno and house were becoming very popular for club DJs but it was not club-oriented – then became most popular in the late 90s/2000s. The first sound considered as IDM was a Warp Records compilation named Artificial Intelligence. 

However, IDM did receive pushback due to the use of the word intelligent as some saw it as degrading to other genres. But, it has been specified that the word Intelligent should be taken subjectively and not literally. It should be looked at as accessing an intelligent part of your brain and connecting with yourself. 

You can recognize IDM by synthesizers, electronic drums, pard, complex rhythms, and its ambient elements. It also plays at a slow tempo at 120-130 BPM. Some of the most notable IDM artists include Apex Twins, Boards of Canada, Authechre, Four Tet, Ulvo, Flying Lotus, Plaid, Squarepusher, Black Doh, Carl Craig, Seefeel, and Caribou. 

IDM/Intelligent Dance Music is still alive and well today and techno and house can be considered subgenres of it. You can listen to the genre in many different scenarios as it’s meant to just get everyone in a deep and somewhat meditative vibe.