Dance

12/17 - 12/23

As I was doing research for my Normalize Pop 2024 playlist, I encountered a few songs that seemed very similar to pop songs, with a few key differences. These songs focused more on the beat of the song than any lyrical or vocal showcase. They were still high energy and made me want to move, but they were lacking that repetitive chorus that is one of the main features of a pop song. Instead, the main repetitive feature of these songs was the booming bass that was kept constant in the background. I decided to start a second playlist called 'Dance?' to put these songs to revisit later. 

One main difference that caught my ear about these Dance songs was that the bass was much less melodic than in the pop songs. The bass in these songs was utilized as the constant heartbeat of the songs instead of a melodic accompaniment like in many of the pop songs. This is showcased clearly in the different genres of Dance music. There are 4 main subdivisions that I know of: Techno, Disco, House, and Trance.  If you listen to any of these genres you'll be greeted by a consistent beat in the background. Each of these genres has more sub-genres of their own, but hopefully, that gives you an idea of the type of music I'm referencing.

In addition, if I thought that Pop songs had cool 'loud empty spaces', Dance songs have mastered that skill. I thought that was a quality unique to Pop music, but I am tempted to say that it became popular via Dance music. I think that the concept is more enjoyable in Pop songs, for me, but I can appreciate that the star here is Dance. Because of the repetitive nature of Dance music, they have to keep the song interesting in subtle ways. This can be the addition of light sparkly sounds, or adding new elements incrementally throughout the song ultimately making a noise collage. The most common way to maintain interest in the song is to build up musical anticipation for a beat drop. This is when the song is filled with so much energy and dissonance that our brains are begging for a resolution. When this happens, in whichever form it takes, it makes our brains feel good. Sometimes, Dance songs will choose to use the beat drop as a time to take out the bass and keep the high synths, that is the perfect example of a loud empty space. Energy filled, but musically light. 

I have and am continuing to work on this playlist, accurately called 'Dance?' as I learn more about the genre. I think that understanding Dance music is important to understanding music history, so I am committed to doing so. My biggest struggle is finding Dance songs that I enjoy. I historically don't like overly repetitive songs, so this genre is difficult for me. Nevertheless, I am committed to finding a culmination of Dance songs that I actually enjoy and can stand behind. I want to learn more about the history and the ins and outs of each subdivision. Be on the lookout for a completed playlist that will showcase my findings, until then dance?