EDM ORIGINS: Five Songs That Influenced My Rave Journey

I was a little bit late to the rave/EDM party. My music taste started out with bands like Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold, and Iron Maiden. Classic rock and some country were also thrown in for good measure. The earliest memory I have of electronic-influenced music would have to be hearing “Breaking The Habit” by Linkin Park. My young mind was blown away by the track’s layers and scratch effects. I wasn’t sure how they pulled off this sound. This was not merely drums, guitar, and bass. There was something more. MUCH more. This eventually lead me to LP’s remix album Reanimation that featured various electronic and hip-hop mixes of the Hybrid Theory tracks. Songs like “Here (In Your Arms)” by Hellogoodbye and artists like The Killers also largely influenced this direction.

The following list will dive even deeper into the most influential tracks from the start of my EDM journey.

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“I Could Be The One (Avicii vs. Nicky Romero)” – Avicii & Nicky Romero (Radio Edit)

Ahhh yes. The one that started it all. Discovering “I Could Be The One” on YouTube in 2012 completely changed my perspective on electronic music. I had never heard vocals that heartfelt and a song as well layered as this one. The euphoric sounds found throughout transported me to a whole new world. This track moves mountains and inspires growth and change. “I Could Be The One” is a rare track that speaks to the constant state of yearning that I experience. The soothing melodies of this bop proved my assumptions about EDM wrong and I could not be happier! “I Could Be The One” is a timeless track that hits on every single listen.

“Alive” – Krewella

I first heard “Alive” in 2012, around the same time as “I Could Be The One.” The gradual build of the track’s melodies and extensive verses hooked me IMMEDIATELY. I was under the impression that most EDM was instrumental with little to no vocals. “Alive” blew me away with its gorgeous vocals and lyrics. The well-layered beat and excellent transitions greatly increased my ear for sound design. The beautiful keyboards build anticipation for the rest of the track, while highlighting the equally beautiful vocals. This was the first drop to get stuck in my head. Play Hard was also the first EDM EP that I listened to in full. “Alive” inspired me so much that I considered seeing Krewella for my first rave. However, FUNTCASE won that contest and introduced me to the world of headbang-worthy electronic music.

“Lost Woods Dubstep Remix” – Ephixa

The dubstep remix of “Lost Woods” was also highly influential in my EDM journey. This was the first heavy dubstep song that I ever heard and it was mesmerizing! “Lost Woods” achieves a perfect balance of grace and heaviness, featuring beautiful strings and heavy basslines under the Zelda-based sounds. This song introduced me to the crunchy, reverberating bass waves that define the dubstep genre. I was blown away and had NO IDEA how someone could create something this awesome. “Lost Woods” also introduced me to the concept of remixing/sampling music from other sources; such as movies, tv, and video games. This opened a pandoras box of a near-endless supply of remixing and sampling possibilities, inspiring me to do a remix deep dive on YouTube.

“Magnets” – Disclosure (feat. Lorde)

“Magnets” was a great introduction to the lyrical capabilities that EDM has to offer. The song and its lyrics paint a descriptive picture of jealousy, yearning, and acceptance. Lorde’s vocals are perfectly matched to the dance-pop beat. This song expanded my horizons on EDM, introducing me to effective features that highlight the strengths of EDM.

“Roses” – The Chainsmokers (feat. ROZES)

This Chainsmokers classic from 2015 invokes a pleasant nostalgia in me. I was living in Camarillo, California and working at my second job, a local smoke shop down the road from my house. A coworker of mine introduced me to several EDM artists, including The Chainsmokers. ROZES’ vocals discuss the seemingly endless possibilities that can stem from a relationship. It highlights the little things that mean the most, but are often overlooked. The smooth drops and transitions do more with less, creating a memorable and long-lasting hook. The reminiscent lyrics add another layer of nostalgia.. this time, coming from the producers themselves. “Roses” takes me back to a simpler time that I will always remember fondly, with this song serving as a permanent timestamp.

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