Fidget House

Fidget House is a subgenre of House music that emerged in the late 2000s and became popular in the early 2010s. It is characterized by a fast and frenetic sound, with heavy basslines, distorted synths, and aggressive sampling. The term "Fidget" refers to the jittery, restless feeling that the music evokes, as if the listener is unable to sit still. The origins of Fidget House can be traced back to the UK House and Electro scenes of the mid-2000s, which were heavily influenced by the French sound of artists like Daft Punk and Justice. The genre was also inspired by the Dutch House sound, which was characterized by a raw and unpolished sound. Fidget House took these influences and pushed them to the extreme, resulting in a sound that was darker and more aggressive than its predecessors. The term "Fidget House" was first coined by UK DJ Sinden in 2007, who used it to describe a sound that he and his contemporaries were shaping. The name caught on quickly, and soon a whole new genre was born. Fidget House quickly became associated with a number of labels, including the influential UK-based label, Dubsided. It was here that artists like Jack Beats, Hervé, and Zinc found a home and helped to shape the sound of the genre. One of the defining features of Fidget House is its heavy use of samples, which are often taken from a wide variety of sources. These can include anything from classic House tracks to obscure funk and soul cuts, to spoken-word samples taken from movies and pop culture. The sampling is often chopped up and processed, resulting in a sound that is chaotic and disorienting. Another key element of the genre is its focus on rhythm. Fidget House tracks are often built around a driving, four-to-the-floor beat, which is supplemented by a complex array of percussion and drum sounds. These drums are often programmed to sound distorted and glitchy, giving the music its trademark rough edge. Fidget House enjoyed a brief period of mainstream success in the early 2010s, with tracks like Jack Beats' "UFO" and Hervé's "Cheap Thrills" becoming club favorites. However, the genre's uncompromising sound and aggressive nature made it a difficult sell to a wider audience, and it quickly became associated with the more underground, niche corners of the dance music scene. Despite this, Fidget House retains a passionate following to this day, with DJs and producers continuing to explore its unique sound. Its influence can be heard in a number of contemporary genres, including Bass House and G-House, both of which owe a debt to Fidget House's aggressive, sample-heavy sound.

AC Slater: One of the pioneers of the fidget house genre, AC Slater has been producing music for over a decade. He has worked with many notable artists and has numerous releases on various record labels. Herve: Herve is a UK-based producer who has been involved in the electronic music scene since the early 2000s. He has released music on a variety of labels, including his own imprint, Cheap Thrills. Jack Beats: Jack Beats is a duo consisting of Beni G and DJ Plus One. The two have been producing music together since 2007, and their tracks are known for their heavy basslines and energetic rhythms. Trevor Loveys: Another UK-based producer, Trevor Loveys has been making music since the mid-90s. He has worked with many artists, including Switch and Jamie Lidell, and has released music on labels such as Dubsided and Dirtybird. Fake Blood: Originally a duo consisting of DJs Touché and Jem Stone, Fake Blood is now the solo project of Touché. He is known for his energetic and eclectic DJ sets, as well as his releases on labels like Blood Music and Cheap Thrills. A1 Bassline: A1 Bassline is the solo project of UK-based producer Christian Sibthorpe. He has released music on labels like Southern Fried Records and OWSLA, and his tracks are known for their catchy hooks and heavy basslines. The Count & Sinden: The Count & Sinden is a duo consisting of producers Joshua "Hervé" Harvey and Graeme Sinden. They are known for their eclectic style, which incorporates elements of fidget house, bassline, and UK garage. Foamo: Foamo is the solo project of UK-based producer Kieran Hebden. He has released music on labels like Fat! Records and Rinse Recordings, and his tracks are known for their unique blend of fidget house and garage. Zinc: Zinc is a UK-based producer who has been involved in the electronic music scene since the late 90s. He has released music on a variety of labels, including his own imprint, Bingo Bass, and is known for his energetic DJ sets. Switch: Switch is a UK-based producer who has worked with many artists, including M.I.A. and Major Lazer. He has released music on labels like Dubsided and Cheap Thrills, and his tracks are known for their heavy basslines and eclectic influences.

1. "Closer" by The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey 2. "Stressed Out" by Twenty One Pilots 3. "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars 4. "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor 5. "Sorry" by Justin Bieber 6. "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran 7. "Happy" by Pharrell Williams 8. "Counting Stars" by OneRepublic 9. "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee 10. "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons 11. "Sugar" by Maroon 5 12. "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake 13. "Roar" by Katy Perry 14. "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran 15. "What Do You Mean?" by Justin Bieber 16. "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift 17. "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish 18. "Love Yourself" by Justin Bieber 19. "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People 20. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston 21. "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses 22. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey 23. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen 24. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor 25. "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi

One of the most influential books written on Fidget House is "Generation Ecstasy" by Simon Reynolds. In the book, Reynolds explores the roots of electronic dance music and examines the various subgenres that emerged in the late 20th century. He describes Fidget House as a "post-rave" style that draws on influences from techno, electro, and house music. Another notable commentator on Fidget House is DJ Mag journalist David McCourt. In a 2009 article, he described Fidget House as "the sound of a generation" and praised its "raw, visceral energy." He also noted the genre's use of unconventional percussion and distorted samples, which he argued set it apart from other dance music styles. Music producer and DJ Hervé has also been a prominent figure in the Fidget House scene. In an interview with Resident Advisor, he described the genre as "something that's always had that edge to it, that anarchic, punk mentality." He emphasized the importance of experimenting with different sounds and techniques in order to keep the genre fresh and exciting. Actor and DJ Idris Elba has also expressed his appreciation for Fidget House. In a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, he described the genre as "hard-hitting," "grimy," and "raw." He credited Fidget House with helping him develop his own unique style of DJing, which blends various electronic genres with elements of hip-hop and R&B. Other notable comments on Fidget House include those from record producer and DJ Diplo, who described the genre as "wonky, noisy, and fun" in a 2008 interview with the New York Times. Music journalist Tim Finney has also written extensively about the genre, describing it as a "delightfully obnoxious" style in a 2009 review.

The social context of Fidget House can be traced to the rise of social media and the increased accessibility of music production software. With sites like MySpace and SoundCloud providing a platform for aspiring DJs and producers to share their music with a wider audience, many up-and-coming musicians found it easier than ever to connect with fans and build their careers. At the same time, advances in digital production tools made it easier for artists to create complex tracks with little more than a laptop and some basic software. Within this context, Fidget House became popular among EDM fans looking for something different from the more mainstream genres like trance and house. Its emphasis on aggressive basslines and gritty, glitchy effects made it stand out in a sea of more polished tracks. As a result, Fidget House quickly gained a dedicated following on social media platforms and music forums, leading to the formation of its own subculture within the larger EDM community. The cultural context of Fidget House can be traced to the influence of hip-hop on dance music. Many Fidget House tracks feature rap and vocal samples taken from hip-hop and other genres, giving the music a distinctly urban feel. This connection to hip-hop helped make Fidget House more accessible to fans of other genres, and helped its artists gain a reputation for combining elements of multiple styles into their tracks. This cross-genre experimentation was a hallmark of the Fidget House movement, and helped set it apart from other styles of EDM. Despite its underground origins, Fidget House quickly caught the attention of many major record labels and music journalists. This attention helped bring the genre into the mainstream, with artists like Crookers, Hervé, and Jack Beats gaining widespread recognition for their contributions to the genre. Notable labels like Fool's Gold, Dim Mak, and Cheap Thrills also played a key role in shaping the sound of Fidget House, releasing many of the most popular tracks and helping to spread the music to a wider audience.