Electro music is more than a collection of beats arranged in acoustically appealing ways.
The world has embraced electronic music whether they know it or not. That’s because some of the best tunes have been used to electrify new audiences. From games and TV to fashion, the world has learned to love electronic music whether they like it or not.
To prove our point, let’s look at three areas where the beats hit differently:
Electronic Music in Games
Popular console games, such as Hotline Miami (see video below) and Far Cry Dragon Blood, have famously embraced the electro genre. In fact, what’s interesting about music in games is that it often blurs the lines between genres. As one audiophile on Reddit points out, the music in Doom is “technically metal” played on guitars and a keyboard. However, another commenter added, it’s been “so processed” that it occupies some kind of “electronic metal” genre.
A similar phenomenon has occurred in the casino gaming sector. Soundtracks have become standard fare for slot developers over the last two decades. Alongside tributes to bands such as Guns N’ Roses, there are electro slots like DJ Wild, DeadMau5, and Hardwell. Beyond slots, you can play Crazy Time at Paddy’s casino and hear all manner of crossover tunes. Like the soundtrack for Doom, the music accompanying Crazy Time’s prize wheel, 160,000x payouts, and flashing lights is a mashup of electro beats and pop rhythms.
Electronic Music in Movies
Electronic music has been as influential in movies as gaming. What would Trainspotting be without Underworld’s Born Slippy? Would Tron: Legacy feel futuristic without the help of Daft Punk’s Derezzed and End of Line? The answer to both questions is simple: they wouldn’t be as engaging.
As noted on LinkedIn by Manuel Marino, a cinematic music composer, “electronic music and cinema have always shared a profound relationship.” He believes that the impact of synth sounds goes beyond auditory pleasure. The sounds can “stir emotions” and “guide the narrative.” Electronic music has also shown cinema audiences that movie scores don’t have to be “orchestral arrangements.”
Electronic Music in Fashion and Life
The final area electronic music has wielded its power is fashion. People in the club scene have always had their style, but as festivals have become more popular, these trends have seeped into the mainstream. In Ha Wellness charted electronic music’s impact on popular culture. The article describes festivals as a “breeding ground for fashion trends.” Events such as Coachella and Tomorrowland normalised neon t-shirts, metallic skirts, and the sense that being “out there” is more than acceptable.
In fact, with virtual reality (VR) the hottest tech topic right now, the “futuristic” look should be in vogue more than ever. The electronic sound has long been associated with futuristic tropes, so we may see it become even more prominent in the age of virtual reality. Even if this isn’t the case, it’s already found its way into many parts of our lives. Put simply, the DJ’s power isn’t confined to the dancefloor. New audiences have been engaged by electronic music, and that’s helped the genre remain relevant, vibrant, and influential.
