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Intelligent Dance Music


2manygentlemen
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Aphex Twin and Squarepusher are probably considered the "definitive" artists, surprised you didn't mention Autechre (which is arguably anti-music dada). IDM is really not a thing though, the name was created by music journos as a way to describe the experimental electronic stuff that Aphex was doing, and unfortunately it caught on. There is a vast wealth of material, for me essential listening is Proswell and Kaneel, both of whom are internet musicians that have been active since the late 90s. You should look up the old Camomille netlabel catalogue, as well as Eerik Inpuj Sound (which Proswell curated until this year) and Monotonik (now defunct). Happy hunting!

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...Autechre (which is arguably anti-music dada).

i'd argue that autechre are actually the truest "idm" artists mentioned so far, i don't think it's fair to say they are dada or anti-music. from what i've heard of them in interviews they are quite sincere in their approach to truly experimental electronic music, i'd say moreso than aphex twin or squarepusher who generally work within pre-existing forms (not to say that autechre haven't as well).

but i guess it all depends on your definition of idm, a term which i think is so busy being loaded with contempt for what it isn't that it says next to nothing about what it actually is. not to mention the term is generally used to describe abstract forms of techno and dnb styles that were popular maybe 20 years ago, that aren't necessarily revolutionary or "intelligent" at all by today's standards.

aaaanyway, having said all that, here are a few great albums that at least meet the criteria of being (i think) experimental approaches to dance music:

emptyset - demiurge

mohn - mohn

byetone - symeta

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I have no idea what IDM is supposed to be, so I'm just going to post a

IDM, I feel is like... really experimental post-techno stuff. Maybe some breakbeat? I don't listen to IDM much but it has some interesting ideas for sure.

As for Parov Stelar, he's not your average EDM artist. His work is a nice solid blend of swing, jazz, and house.

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I just sort of define it as progressive dance music??

Just take all the various forms of electronic dance music and push them in some new direction that is intended to be more musically interesting and perhaps less accessible in a dancing-sense. It just sorta maintains the vibe of dance music without really being dance music. Does that sound about right?

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