Intelligent Dance Music

A brief history of Intelligent Dance Music

Intelligent Dance Music, commonly known as IDM, is a sub-genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 1990s. This genre includes a diverse range of styles, blending experimental techno, ambient, breakbeat, and classical music. IDM gained a reputation for being sophisticated, cerebral, and sonically complex while still remaining danceable.

IDM was a reaction against the mainstream dance music of the time, which was perceived as simplistic and formulaic. IDM’s pioneers rejected standard rhythms, timbres, and song structures in favor of more advanced and adventurous compositions. IDM was defined by its cerebral qualities, featuring intricate sound manipulation, unusual time signatures, unconventional song structures, and intricate beat programming.

IDM has its roots in the early work of artists like Aphex Twin and The Black Dog, as well as the experimental techno scene in Detroit and Berlin. However, the genre’s breakthrough occurred in 1993 when Warp Records released the compilation album “Artificial Intelligence.” This release showcased a diverse range of artists adhering to IDM’s aesthetic, including Autechre, B12, and The Black Dog. The album’s success established Warp Records as the genre’s leading label, and the term IDM became widely used to describe this new movement in electronic music.

IDM’s evolution continued throughout the 1990s as artists experimented with new sounds and techniques. Many prominent figures, including Squarepusher, µ-Ziq, and Plaid, released influential albums during this period. By the end of the decade, IDM had reached a peak of creativity and innovation, with artists combining IDM’s cerebral qualities with other contemporary genres, such as drum and bass and hip hop. IDM’s followers, known as “Braindance,” looked for music that was intellectually challenging and experimental.

The early 2000s saw IDM’s popularity decline as it became more obscure and less accessible to a wider audience. However, artists like Clark and Richard Devine continued to develop the genre’s experimental tendencies, combining IDM with other styles to produce new and exciting forms of electronic music. IDM continues to be influential in contemporary electronic music, inspiring many younger artists to push the boundaries of sound and composition.

Notable Intelligent Dance Music artists

Richard D. James (Aphex Twin): A pioneer of IDM, Aphex Twin is known for his intricate beats, glitchy sounds, and experimental compositions. He is one of the most influential electronic musicians of all time, having released several critically acclaimed albums since the early 1990s.

Autechre: This British electronic duo is known for their complex beats and abstract soundscapes. Their sound is a mix of ambient, techno, and industrial music, with a heavy emphasis on experimentation and sound design.

Boards of Canada: Hailing from Scotland, Boards of Canada is known for their dreamy, nostalgic soundscapes that often incorporate found sounds and samples. Their music has been described as a mix of ambient, IDM, and electronica.

Four Tet: This British producer is known for his eclectic mix of genres, from IDM to folk and jazz. His music often incorporates organic sounds, such as acoustic instruments and field recordings, and is marked by rich, complex melodies.

Squarepusher: A multi:instrumentalist who has been active since the early 1990s, Squarepusher is known for his complex rhythms, intricate basslines, and heavy use of distortion and glitchy effects. His music often incorporates elements of jazz, fusion, and other experimental genres.

Venetian Snares: A prolific producer known for his breakcore:influenced IDM, Venetian Snares is known for his complex rhythms, chopped up breakbeats, and heavy distortion. His music often incorporates elements of classical music, as well as more experimental genres.

Clark: This British producer is known for his intricate, glitchy beats, as well as his use of live instrumentation. His music often incorporates elements of IDM, ambient, and techno, and is marked by a sense of playful experimentation.

Plaid: This British duo is known for their dreamy, melodic soundscapes and intricate rhythms. Their music often incorporates elements of IDM, ambient, and techno, with a heavy emphasis on experimentation and sound design.

Flying Lotus: The nephew of jazz legend Alice Coltrane, Flying Lotus is known for his eclectic mix of genres, from IDM to hip:hop and jazz. His music often incorporates organic sounds and samples, as well as intricate rhythms and complex melodies.

Prefuse 73: This American producer is known for his glitchy, sample:heavy soundscapes, incorporating elements of IDM, hip:hop, and jazz. His music often features chopped up vocal samples and intricate rhythms, with a heavy emphasis on experimentation and sound design.

25 Intelligent Dance Music records you should hear

1. Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92
2. Autechre - Amber
3. Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children
4. Burial - Untrue
5. The Future Sound of London - Lifeforms
6. Four Tet - Rounds
7. The Orb - Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld
8. Orbital - In Sides
9. Plaid - Not for Threes
10. Squarepusher - Hard Normal Daddy
11. µ-Ziq - Lunatic Harness
12. Clark - Clark
13. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
14. Jon Hopkins - Immunity
15. Moderat - II
16. Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus Seven
17. Pantha du Prince - Black Noise
18. Röyksopp - Melody A.M.
19. Tim Hecker - Harmony in Ultraviolet
20. Tycho - Dive
21. Efdemin - Decay Versions Pt. 2
22. Actress - Hazyville
23. Apparat - The Devil’s Walk
24. Caribou - Swim
25. Nicolas Jaar - Space Is Only Noise

Intelligent Dance Music and the charts

One of the earliest IDM records to achieve chart success was Aphex Twin’s “Selected Ambient Works 85-92.” Released in 1992, the album featured ambient and experimental tracks that showcased Aphex Twin’s innovative production techniques. Although the album did not achieve mainstream success, it is widely considered one of the most influential IDM records of all time.

Another notable IDM release was Autechre’s “Tri Repetae.” The album, released in 1995, featured complex rhythmic structures and heavily processed sounds. Despite its experimental nature, “Tri Repetae” received critical acclaim and helped establish Autechre as one of the genre’s most innovative acts.

In 1997, The Prodigy, a group often associated with the big-beat style of electronic music, released “The Fat of the Land.” While not a pure IDM record, the album featured several experimental tracks that showcased the group’s versatility. The album reached number one in several countries and included hit singles such as “Breathe” and “Firestarter.”

In the early 2000s, IDM continued to find success in the charts. Boards of Canada’s “Geogaddi,” released in 2002, featured dreamlike soundscapes and hazy melodies that received widespread critical acclaim. The album peaked at number 21 in the UK charts and helped establish Boards of Canada as one of the genre’s most influential acts.

Another IDM act that achieved chart success in the early 2000s was Squarepusher. The group’s album “Go Plastic,” released in 2001, featured breakbeat rhythms and complex melodic structures. The album received positive reviews and helped establish Squarepusher as one of the genre’s most prominent acts.

In recent years, IDM has continued to push the boundaries of electronic music. One notable example is Flying Lotus’s “Cosmogramma,” released in 2010. The album featured intricate rhythms and experimental sounds, and received widespread critical acclaim. “Cosmogramma” reached number 55 on the US charts, making it one of the most successful IDM releases in recent years.

What people have said about Intelligent Dance Music

In his book, The Ambient Century, musicologist Mark Prendergast describes IDM as “a type of electronic music that combines elements of experimental music, ambient music, and techno.” He writes that IDM is “not designed for dancing,” but rather “for listening,” with its intricate rhythms and textured soundscapes meant to be experienced in a contemplative and immersive way.

Similarly, in his book, Energy Flash: A Journey Through Rave Music and Dance Culture, Simon Reynolds writes that IDM is “a computer-based music that is aware of experimental musics, academic avant-gardism, and sound art,” and is “aimed at the higher functions of the brain.” He suggests that IDM is a reaction to the hedonistic, rave-oriented culture of dance music, and represents a shift towards a more cerebral and introspective approach to electronic music production.

Not all commentators agree on what IDM is, however. In an article for Pitchfork, writer Mark Richardson argues that the term is “not particularly useful as a descriptor.” He suggests that IDM is a catch-all term that has been applied to a diverse range of electronic music styles, from Aphex Twin’s abrasive beats to Boards of Canada’s dreamy soundscapes. Richardson writes that “IDM isn’t a style, it’s a sensibility,” suggesting that what brings together the various artists and producers that have been labeled as “IDM” is a shared approach to music production, rather than a fixed set of musical characteristics.

Regardless of how one defines IDM, there are many notable quotes that speak to its significance and appeal. In an interview with Resident Advisor, electronic musician James Holden said that IDM “changed my life.” He explained that “it opened up a world of music that was totally new, totally outside the box of any musical genre or style I’d ever come across before.”

Similarly, in an interview with The Wire, Aphex Twin (real name Richard D. James) said that “IDM is less about genres and structures and more about experimentation and exploratory approaches in the studio.” He suggested that what distinguishes IDM from other electronic music genres is its focus on the process of music production, rather than the end product.

IDM has also been the subject of criticism. In his book, Rave Culture and Religion, author Graham St. John argues that “IDM […] represents a reactionary aesthetic of minimalism, sanitization, and isolation.” He suggests that IDM’s cerebral and introspective approach to music production is a response to the perceived excesses and commercialization of dance music culture, which he argues has led to a “crisis of meaning” in contemporary society.

Intelligent Dance Music in context

The social and cultural context of IDM is marked by a number of factors. Firstly, IDM emerged during a period of profound social and cultural changes in the UK. The early 1990s saw the rise of the rave scene, with the emergence of new electronic music genres such as techno, house, and jungle. IDM emerged as a response to the prevailing trends in electronic music, and was seen as a more radical and experimental form of electronic music.

The term ‘Intelligent Dance Music’ was coined in the early 1990s by journalists who were looking to describe this new form of music. The term was intended to differentiate IDM from the more populist forms of electronic music that were popular at the time. The music was seen as more cerebral and innovative, with a focus on pushing the boundaries of what was possible with electronic sound.

Warp Records was one of the key labels that helped to popularize IDM both in the UK and internationally. The label was founded in 1989 and quickly established itself as a leader in the electronic music scene. Warp Records released seminal IDM albums by artists such as Aphex Twin, Autechre, and Boards of Canada. The label’s success helped to establish IDM as a distinct genre within the electronic music landscape.

In addition to Warp Records, there were a number of other labels that helped to popularize IDM. These included labels such as Rephlex, Skam, and Planet Mu. These labels were often associated with specific geographical regions, with Rephlex based in London, Skam based in Manchester, and Planet Mu based in Brighton.

The technological context of IDM is marked by the development of digital audio technology and the proliferation of home studio production. IDM artists were among the first to use digital audio workstations and other digital production tools. This allowed them to create complex, layered, and highly intricate compositions that would have been difficult to achieve using traditional analog recording techniques.

IDM artists were also pioneers in the use of sampling and other forms of electronic manipulation of sound. They used sampling to create entirely new sounds, textures, and rhythms, and developed techniques for manipulating sound in ways that had never been done before. This experimentation and innovation was a key element of IDM, and helped to establish the genre as a distinct and revolutionary form of music.

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Ambient: a genre of music characterized by its emphasis on atmosphere and mood over traditional melodic or rhythmic structures.

Minimal techno: a genre of techno music which emphasizes the use of minimalistic rhythms and percussion elements.

Trip hop: a genre of electronic music which combines hip hop beats with atmospheric and often melancholic instrumentation.

Experimental: a genre of music which emphasizes the use of non-traditional sounds and techniques to create unique and often avant-garde works.

Glitch: a genre of electronic music which emphasizes the use and manipulation of digital “glitches” and errors in sound to create a unique and often chaotic aesthetic.