| Intelligent Dance Music | |
| Alternate name(s) | Braindance |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Experimental Electronic Music, Techno, Ambient, Acid House |
| Cultural origins | UK |
| Fusion genres | |
| Drill and Bass, Flashcore | |
A somewhat misleading genre designation; it is often acronymized as IDM and is also known as braindance. Unlike most genre designations, it does not encompass any specific compositional, performance, or patching techniques or timbres. Rather, IDM designates any piece of electronica that is intended for critical listening instead of, dancing. Despite this more nebulous and general description, typical IDM uses fast cut-up and rapid drum breaks. The rhythm and patterns can be incredibly intricate, technical, and complex. The synths and samples that make up the melody and bass can also vary widely in scope and selection. Musically speaking, this is what defines IDM. Songs can range from more easy to listen to ambient pieces or extremely abrasive, hard, and fast pieces. A throughline that connects all IDM is complexity and eccentricity. Most artists in this scene use very atypical synthesizers, musical software, and push the boundaries of rhythm and tone.