Electronic Music Wiki
Electronic Music Wiki
Midtempo Bass
Alternate name(s) Midtempo, Midtempo Electro, Cyberpunk Music
Stylistic origins Electro House, Electro Industrial, Techno, Tech House, Brostep, Halftime, Synthwave
Cultural origins Early-to-mid 2010s
Typical instruments DAW
Level of recognition Minor Genre

Midtempo bass, also known as midtempo electro, cyberpunk music, or simply midtempo, is a subgenre of bass that emerged around the early to mid-2010s.

Characteristics[]

Midtempo Bass is characterized as having a darker and grittier sound than other bass subgenres. Midtempo bass derives its sound from electro house, tech-house, post-industrial genres like new beat, industrial techno, and electro-industrial. In some cases, it even takes cues from brostep and harsher subgenres of drum and bass like halftime or techstep. In other lighter songs, influences can also come from melodic dubstep or synthwave. Midtempo bass is a very driven and straight kind of music, with simple four on the floor beats at a midtempo (90-110 BPM) pace. The hard, sometimes slightly distorted bass often pushes the tempo to sound faster than it is. The music is heavy and evokes the aesthetics of a dystopian, futuristic cyberpunk vibe. Midtempo bass uses drops and buildups like brostep and trance do.

History[]

The first major release is likely Gesaffelstein's Aleph in 2013, which incorporated midtempo bass' typical hard-driving techno inspired beats. Rezz is credited with popularizing the genre and has created numerous songs within this style.

Notable Artists[]

  • 1788-L
  • AGLORY
  • DEATHPACT
  • KTRL
  • Notaker
  • Rezz
  • Social Kid
  • Varien

Example[]

  • THIRST - LIGHTSHOW