Have you ever thought about the evolution of your music taste? I’m fast approaching my six-year anniversary of the first time I raved, and lately, all I can think about is how I got here. I would comfortably label myself a Tech House fan, with Techno leanings that grow stronger each year. But how did it all start? The answer lies in a decade-old iTunes playlist I found on an old computer, titled “EDM/RAVE.” I thought it would be fun to go through it, pick a couple of songs to analyze, and ride that sweet wave of nostalgia back to my early rave days. So let’s take a look at the EDM I used to listen to!
Song #1: “Animals” by Martin Garrix (2013)
Genre: Big Room House
Description: Considered one of the biggest songs in the Big Room House genre, “Animals” definitely ticks all the boxes to be a mainstage hit. With a punchy bassline, a super-aggressive buildup, and the scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs line of “Mother fucking Animals” that leads into the surprisingly minimalistic drop, it’s no wonder it rocketed up to the Number 1 position on Beatport’s Dance Music Chart.
Nostalgia Value: This was one of the major hype songs of my first year of university, and boy, does it take me back. As soon as I heard the song I was hit by a wave of memories, mostly involving shots and screaming with my girlfriends. I miss my friends, but not the shots.
Rating: 7/10
Song #2: “Riverside” by Sidney Samson (2009)
Genre: House
Description: “Riverside”, one of my earliest forays into the House genre, was and remains a crowd-pleasing dance floor hit, particularly in the UK and the Netherlands, where Sidney Samson is from. Its consistent bass and high hat rhythm propel the song ahead, while its cheeky synth-forward melody line makes it super fun to listen to.
Nostalgia Value: Wow, did this song bring back some great memories. My family took a trip to visit my older sister in France, and while my parents went to bed my sister snuck me out for my first clubbing experience. We inexplicably ended up in an underground club built into a cave, and I will forever remember the bassline for this song pumping in the background.
Rating: 9/10
Song #3: “Lights” by Klaypex (2011)
Genre: Dubstep
Description: Klaypex is an electronic trio that saw their biggest surge of popularity in the early 2010s, due mostly to a collaborative effort with Corridor Digital, a highly popular Youtube channel that focused mainly on CGI and other digital effects. Klaypex contacted the channel about a possible collaborative video to accompany the release of the first album “Loose Dirt”, which brought on the creation of the “Dubstep Guns” music video, featuring four of Klaypex’s songs including “Lights”.
Nostalgia Value: Listening to this song again made me go down a rabbit hole of old Corridor Digital videos, including “Dubstep Guns”. For a 2011 YouTube video, the special effects are impressive, and the addition of “Lights” makes it an even cooler experience.
Rating: 8/10
Song #4: “FTS (Fuck The System)” by Showtek (2007)
Genre: Hardstyle
Description: I didn’t think I would find another Dutch DJ act in my playlist after Sidney Samson, but I guess I was wrong. Duo Showtek has been on the decks since 2001 and experimented with many genres, focusing mostly on Hardstyle before eventually moving on to House around 2012. “FTS” is one of their best-known songs from that period, featuring a pulse-pounding BPM paired with an intense kick-drum, a throbbing baseline, and an ultra-intense breakdown.
Nostalgia Value: Wow, I used to listen to Hardstyle? I’m sure the lyrics of “I think the whole system fucking sucks” probably appealed to my rebellious teen self, but I can’t deny the fact that the song is pretty catchy. Though way more fast-paced and intense than what I listen to now, “FTS” is still a fun song to listen to.
Rating: 7/10
So what have I learned from this experience? I’ve rediscovered some old classics, learned a little about some artists, and got to take a trip down memory lane. So why not boot up your old playlists and see how you’ve evolved?
