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A list of "intelligent" EDM tracks

Alright, I know it can be debated whether or not "intelligent [genre]" exists, but that isn't what I'm talking about. I'm just wondering what tracks you consider to be "intelligent" in your favorite EDM genre (or any EDM genre if you'd like) alone. Does that sort of make sense? Surely most people have tracks in their mind that they think are exceptional above the rest, more 'intelligently' made. However, that catchy melody may be what some people (including even me) may define their intelligent track to be. But I was just using that as an example.

I think it would be interesting to see if there would be any EDM genre that prevails over the rest, any particular artist that comes in said genre gets mentioned (laid-back genre tracks, "big club" tracks, headphone music, etc). Or maybe people really make no distinction whatsoever that any particular track they heard was 'intelligent' and nothing really comes out of this. Whichever the case, I think it would be interesting to see people's perception on the matter.

So, as for me, I'll list a couple to get going. The first real no-brainer for me is:
Choice - Acid Eiffel
Utterly consuming and one of the best at "evolving." A 13 minute epic that shifts your mind into its twisted, surreal world without letting up one bit. Gets more dynamic each time I listen to it. (Don't think I'm surprising anyone here.)

And I guess I'll just list two for now to keep this first post short, so the second no-brainer for me would be:
Lawrence - Along the Wire (Superpitcher Remix)
For some reason I'm picking another "surreal" type of tune, but I love the relentless melody and the eerie pads in the background that almost define the tune's "feel" more than the melody does. Even with that said, the melody is really dynamic and you couldn't repeat it in your head if you tried, which keeps it from ever getting 'boring' and 'predictable.' Just a fascinating tune in all regards and Superpitcher really "got it right" with this one.

DARUDE - SANDSTORM

that Blade rave track

anything Ayla

oh and deejay alice - do you think you're better off alone, lyrics are mindbogglingly mindboggling.

I like to think of all I listen to as intelligent. If it isn't I won't listen more than once. On the other hand, some producers I think are very intelligent are ones like Guy Gerber, Will Saul, Minilogue, Joris Voorn, Booka Shade, Shed, Carl Craig, Agoria, etc...basically ones that produce such good music that I don't necesarily see them as EDM producers exclusively, but as artists/musicians. You know, the ones that ignore the rules and make their own.

Shlomi Aber & Itamar Sagi - Blonda (Funk D'Void Remix)

quote:

Originally posted by elektrikal DARUDE - SANDSTORM that Blade rave track anything Ayla oh and deejay alice - do you think you're better off alone, lyrics are mindbogglingly mindboggling.

Thanks for being cool.

too cool for school

seriously, intelligent tracks, while some tracks are guilty pleasures and others are more intricately programmed, it boils down to taste. If you really like a track does that equal intelligent, or does it refer to pieces you think had a lot of thought put into them, regardless you like them or not. Wouldn't BT's This Binary Universe blow most things out the water w/ the ratios and different measures? I know you prefaced this topic with a disclaimer but still seems you did not provide proper guidelines for people to follow other than what they wanted to list. Hence.... my sarcasm in intial post.

Aphex Twin

quote:

Originally posted by elektrikal too cool for school seriously, intelligent tracks, while some tracks are guilty pleasures and others are more intricately programmed, it boils down to taste. If you really like a track does that equal intelligent, or does it refer to pieces you think had a lot of thought put into them, regardless you like them or not. Wouldn't BT's This Binary Universe blow most things out the water w/ the ratios and different measures? I know you prefaced this topic with a disclaimer but still seems you did not provide proper guidelines for people to follow other than what they wanted to list. Hence.... my sarcasm in intial post.

Well why don't you just say BT's Binary Universe then?
I would whole-heartedly agree with that response.
I did say that it would pretty much be subjective, and that it would be "interesting to see what kind of lists we would come up with." Like, I understand it would boil down to personal preference. But would everyone generally agree on a certain type of music or producer? That's exactly what I was getting at.

quote:

Originally posted by digitalEyes But would everyone generally agree on a certain type of music or producer? That's exactly what I was getting at.

While I'm sure there are some producers many will agree are "intelligent", you'd probably have a difficult time convincing everyone in that same group such producers are actually good.

Take Joe Satriani. Highly "intelligent" guitar player, but those who don't fancy complex, intricate solos figure him to be just a bunch of silly wank.

quote:

Originally posted by Sykonee While I'm sure there are some producers many will agree are "intelligent", you'd probably have a difficult time convincing everyone in that same group such producers are actually good. Take Joe Satriani. Highly "intelligent" guitar player, but those who don't fancy complex, intricate solos figure him to be just a bunch of silly wank.

All I was trying to accomplish was a census of who thinks what is "intelligent" to them. As people list, perhaps patterns may emerge. Perhaps they don't. That was the point of this, along with the possibility of being introduced to new music.

Re: A list of "intelligent" EDM tracks

quote:

Originally posted by digitalEyes Alright, I know it can be debated whether or not "intelligent [genre]" exists,

It can?

Intelligent Happy Hardcore!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery Intelligent Happy Hardcore!

Intelligent Gabba is better!

complex maybe, but intelligent is just a stupid word to describe music in my opinion

quote:

Originally posted by jupiterone complex maybe, but intelligent is just a stupid word to describe music in my opinion

I agree.

Way too many people patting themselves on the back for liking "intelligent" music.

quote:

Originally posted by jupiterone complex maybe, but intelligent is just a stupid word to describe music in my opinion

Perceptions, I s'pose. Some might say there's a lot of intelligent jazz out there, while others would consider the same stuff noodly tosh. Most of the time 'intelligent' music is meant to describe music that is strictly for the head (i.e. math rock) rather than for physical (rhythmic) or emotional (melodic) reactions we typically expect out of music. Experimental music might also be considered 'intelligent' if there truly is something intuitive going on, but oftentimes producers of that stuff will use the 'intelligent' adjective as a shield against the fact what they're making is just a bunch of stupid noise.

I have a hard enough time defining what it means for a person to be intelligent - trying to figure out what kinds of music are and aren't would give me a headache.

Osborne - In Gear [Spectral Sound/Ghostly International]
Seth Troxler & Thrill Cosby - Oogity Boogity [M_nus Items & Things]

Re: A list of "intelligent" EDM tracks

quote:

Originally posted by digitalEyes I'm just wondering what tracks you consider to be "intelligent" in your favorite EDM genre [...]

There's no such thing as intelligent music. Saying Aphex Twin is more intelligent than Happy Hardcore is like saying apples are more intelligent than oranges. Complete nonsense in every thinkable way.

quote:

Originally posted by Sykonee Perceptions, I s'pose. Some might say there's a lot of intelligent jazz out there, while others would consider the same stuff noodly tosh. Most of the time 'intelligent' music is meant to describe music that is strictly for the head (i.e. math rock) rather than for physical (rhythmic) or emotional (melodic) reactions we typically expect out of music. Experimental music might also be considered 'intelligent' if there truly is something intuitive going on, but oftentimes producers of that stuff will use the 'intelligent' adjective as a shield against the fact what they're making is just a bunch of stupid noise.

I think it's more that describing music as "intelligent" has inherently elitist connotations, as it implies that you're intelligent for listening to it and also that other music out there must be unintelligent by comparison. Since music has no intellect, you're either being metaphorical or (more likely) deferring meaning by calling it intelligent. "Complex" can describe the music directly without deferring the meaning.

I use 'intelligent' in the context of music that isn't too shallow, has artistic and cultural value beyond mainstream commercial appeal. It's not really meant to be elitist, just a word to describe thought-driven music as opposed to music designed to be as catchy and easily digestible as possible.

project-k is correct there. i perceive "intelligent" music to be for the mind, and to trigger emotions and thought process without necessarily narcotic assistance:

henrik b - logos [truesoul]
duplex - vivid array [frantic flowers]

"intelligent" music doesn't really need to be complex in structure either - take for example the concept of reduced techno (not "minimal"), in which every single sound is integral to the track. anything that does not need to be there is not included.

shed - flat axe [ostgut ton]
robert hood - side effect [music man]
substance - relish [scion versions]

"intelligent" music can simply be perfect for what it is; be it a loop, tool, or soundtrack for a particular time or place.

maurizio - m4 [m]
patrice scott - raw fusion [sistrum]

and "intelligent" music doesn't need to be mellow either. music with soul AND some punch is bang on the money.

future beat investigators - dark suite [raw fusion]

quote:

Originally posted by sgb476 project-k is correct there. i perceive "intelligent" music to be for the mind, and to trigger emotions and thought process without necessarily narcotic assistance: henrik b - logos [truesoul] duplex - vivid array [frantic flowers] "intelligent" music doesn't really need to be complex in structure either - take for example the concept of reduced techno (not "minimal"), in which every single sound is integral to the track. anything that does not need to be there is not included. shed - flat axe [ostgut ton] robert hood - side effect [music man] substance - relish [scion versions] "intelligent" music can simply be perfect for what it is; be it a loop, tool, or soundtrack for a particular time or place. maurizio - m4 [m] patrice scott - raw fusion [sistrum] and "intelligent" music doesn't need to be mellow either. music with soul AND some punch is bang on the money. future beat investigators - dark suite [raw fusion]

These are intelligent because someone said so i believe.

deadmau5

quote:

Originally posted by PETRAN These are intelligent because someone said so i believe.

point taken. although now you mention it im not dictating, but aligning my tastes with what ticks my boxes. but surely in a discussion like this, given the thread title, lists of tracks were going to appear!

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