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Music genre

Intelligent dance music

Intelligent dance music is a music genre that emerged in United Kingdom in the 1990s. It is usually classed as a form of electronic dance music. Explore its 1 subgenres, key artists and related styles.

Listen: Intelligent dance music examples

Hynyinen - Sinmill
3:31

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About Intelligent dance music

Intelligent dance music is a music genre that emerged in United Kingdom in the 1990s. It is usually classed as a form of electronic dance music.

Among the best-known names in the style are Thom Yorke, Aphex Twin, Jonny Greenwood, C418, Parov Stelar and Boards of Canada.

Intelligent dance music has given rise to 1 subgenre on this site, such as Drill and bass.

From Wikipedia

Intelligent dance music (IDM) is a loose label used to describe experimental forms of electronic music associated with early-1990s ambient techno, "electronic listening music" and related forms of electronica. Rather than being defined by a fixed set of genre conventions, IDM has generally been associated with individualistic experimentation. Music described with the term often drew on electronic dance music styles such as acid house, ambient techno, Detroit techno and breakbeat. Music described as IDM was often promoted or regarded as suited to home listening, although artists associated with the label also produced dancefloor-oriented tracks. Prominent artists associated with the label include Aphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher, μ-Ziq, the Black Dog, the Future Sound of London, and Orbital.

Genre family tree

Parent genres (↑) and subgenres (↓) of Intelligent dance music.

Key artists

  • Thom Yorke
  • Aphex Twin
  • Jonny Greenwood
  • C418
  • Parov Stelar
  • Boards of Canada
  • Flying Lotus
  • BT
  • Amon Tobin

Related genres

Frequently asked questions

What is Intelligent dance music?

Intelligent dance music is a music genre that emerged in United Kingdom in the 1990s. It is usually classed as a form of electronic dance music.

Where and when did Intelligent dance music originate?

Intelligent dance music originated in United Kingdom in the 1990s.

Who are famous Intelligent dance music artists?

Thom Yorke, Aphex Twin, Jonny Greenwood, C418, Parov Stelar and Boards of Canada.

Sources & credits