Seeking 'happy' electronica...
April 28, 2005 4:37 PM Subscribe
Electronic music fans: I am looking for artists and tunes that are primarily in a major key or progression...
Most of the electronic music I come across is based around a minor chord/tonic; I am interested in finding happier electronica of all styles. So much electronic music is dark and dreary... What would really float my boat is major chord drum n bass tracks/artists, but all suggestions are welcome (with the exception of Happy Hardcore/Happy House!) Thanks all.
Most of the electronic music I come across is based around a minor chord/tonic; I am interested in finding happier electronica of all styles. So much electronic music is dark and dreary... What would really float my boat is major chord drum n bass tracks/artists, but all suggestions are welcome (with the exception of Happy Hardcore/Happy House!) Thanks all.
I recommend the ubiquitous Kraftwerk, of course. They are almost always major-chorded, and fun. But you probably already thought of them.
In their wake, I point to a fount of great modernist electronica, Jean Michel Jarre. His Oxygène is magnificent. Sadly, it's really the only great work he's done; but it's worth seeking out. One of the important synth works of all time.
Of course, I'm the guy who thinks electronica went bad around 1990. So I don't know if you want to listen to me.
posted by koeselitz at 5:18 PM on April 28, 2005
In their wake, I point to a fount of great modernist electronica, Jean Michel Jarre. His Oxygène is magnificent. Sadly, it's really the only great work he's done; but it's worth seeking out. One of the important synth works of all time.
Of course, I'm the guy who thinks electronica went bad around 1990. So I don't know if you want to listen to me.
posted by koeselitz at 5:18 PM on April 28, 2005
Arling & Cameron? Happy, but I don't know about major/minor chords.
I was going to link to the AMG entry for them, but you can't get a unique URL for any one artist, to the point that their "send to friend" email link links to the home screen. Handy.
posted by user92371 at 5:26 PM on April 28, 2005
I was going to link to the AMG entry for them, but you can't get a unique URL for any one artist, to the point that their "send to friend" email link links to the home screen. Handy.
posted by user92371 at 5:26 PM on April 28, 2005
Check out the stuff by DJ Suv & DJ Patife. I especially think you'll like the track Inta Outa. Also, (different genre) DJ Tomcraft's album MUC is a great listen. It's slightly modern and very electro in parts. It literally takes you away on an aeroplane trip. It's a must listen, hey. You should enjoy this too.
posted by sjvilla79 at 5:37 PM on April 28, 2005
posted by sjvilla79 at 5:37 PM on April 28, 2005
Also Mylo's latest album is very happy, uplifting, and very, very Sunday.
posted by sjvilla79 at 6:17 PM on April 28, 2005
posted by sjvilla79 at 6:17 PM on April 28, 2005
The Orb. If Fluffy Little Clouds doesn't put a smile on your face, there's something wrong with you.
posted by mkultra at 7:01 PM on April 28, 2005
posted by mkultra at 7:01 PM on April 28, 2005
Uh, fishfucker, most melodic trance is still written in a minor key. Even if they're building major chords out of a minor key, it's still minor. Also, melodic trance and happy hardcore are absolutely nothing alike.
FYI, I'm a fan of both trance and HHC, so this isn't trance-fascism; they really are incredibly different.
Euro-trance, however (think names like DJ Sammy; just Google Euro Trance), is largely built on major keys.
That said, here's some tracks off the top of my head that if they don't make you smile, as mkultra said, there is something seriously wrong with you:
(and these are not, by any stretch of the imagination, Euro-trance)
Binary Finary - 1998 (PVD Mix)
Paul Van Dyk - For An Angel
Barthezz - On The Move
Oceanlab - Satellite
Ferry Corsten / System F (can be listed as either) - Punk
Lustral - Everytime
Underworld - Born Slippy
Bedrock - Heaven Scent (if you can listen to this and not smile, you have no soul)
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:28 PM on April 28, 2005
FYI, I'm a fan of both trance and HHC, so this isn't trance-fascism; they really are incredibly different.
Euro-trance, however (think names like DJ Sammy; just Google Euro Trance), is largely built on major keys.
That said, here's some tracks off the top of my head that if they don't make you smile, as mkultra said, there is something seriously wrong with you:
(and these are not, by any stretch of the imagination, Euro-trance)
Binary Finary - 1998 (PVD Mix)
Paul Van Dyk - For An Angel
Barthezz - On The Move
Oceanlab - Satellite
Ferry Corsten / System F (can be listed as either) - Punk
Lustral - Everytime
Underworld - Born Slippy
Bedrock - Heaven Scent (if you can listen to this and not smile, you have no soul)
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:28 PM on April 28, 2005
Response by poster: These are great, thanks - but keeping my distance from house - is anyone aware of artists in the vein of Ulrich Schnauss? Perhaps more uptempo than that? I just have this feeling like there's a ton of new musicians making what I'm describing but I don't know how to find it.
posted by icetaco at 8:43 PM on April 28, 2005
posted by icetaco at 8:43 PM on April 28, 2005
not to sure about the major key thing, but here goes:
Perry and Kingsley
Mouse on Mars - Autoditacker, Niun Niggung
MIA - Arular
Daft Punk
LCD Soundsystem
Lassigue Bendthaus - Pop Artificielle
on preview, uh...
Seefeel, Eno, Boards of Canada, Electronicat maybe...
posted by hellbient at 9:30 PM on April 28, 2005
Perry and Kingsley
Mouse on Mars - Autoditacker, Niun Niggung
MIA - Arular
Daft Punk
LCD Soundsystem
Lassigue Bendthaus - Pop Artificielle
on preview, uh...
Seefeel, Eno, Boards of Canada, Electronicat maybe...
posted by hellbient at 9:30 PM on April 28, 2005
I think you'd like The Postal Service, as long as you don't mind vocals in your electronic music.
posted by O9scar at 9:37 PM on April 28, 2005
posted by O9scar at 9:37 PM on April 28, 2005
If you like Ulrich Schnauss, you'd probably be into Manual, B. Fleischmann, ISAN, Hermann and Kleine. In fact, you should just check out most of the artists on Morr Music, and also City Centre Offices.
posted by lovejones at 9:44 PM on April 28, 2005
posted by lovejones at 9:44 PM on April 28, 2005
I'm surprised that Lemon Jelly hasn't been mentioned. They definitely meet the criteria.
posted by udeups at 7:44 AM on April 29, 2005
posted by udeups at 7:44 AM on April 29, 2005
Kaito. The album "Special Life" is thrilling and uplifting.
posted by 40 Watt at 8:50 AM on April 29, 2005
posted by 40 Watt at 8:50 AM on April 29, 2005
on the mellower side:
fila brazillia
a lot of artists on the pork label
kid loco
thievery corporation, other 18th street lounge artists
posted by modofo at 4:01 PM on April 29, 2005
fila brazillia
a lot of artists on the pork label
kid loco
thievery corporation, other 18th street lounge artists
posted by modofo at 4:01 PM on April 29, 2005
Obviously these will be hit or miss, nobody composes strictly in minor or major keys, some is pretty "house-y", but I consider all of it pretty happy or at least uplifting:
4hero
Bent
Chateau Flight
Digital Analog Band
Hefner
Jazzanova
Jimpster
Mamond
Miguel Migs obvious, house
Nuspirit Helsinki
P'Taah
Quantic
St. Germain
The Dining Rooms
posted by modofo at 4:24 AM on April 30, 2005
4hero
Bent
Chateau Flight
Digital Analog Band
Hefner
Jazzanova
Jimpster
Mamond
Miguel Migs obvious, house
Nuspirit Helsinki
P'Taah
Quantic
St. Germain
The Dining Rooms
posted by modofo at 4:24 AM on April 30, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
although that's going to be awfully close to hh. Maybe too close for your tastes.
posted by fishfucker at 5:10 PM on April 28, 2005