I grew up listening to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) when my stepdad would play it in the car or while working out. After being introduced to DJ and producer Dom Dolla’s music three years ago, EDM and house music have become something that I am very passionate about. Both also bring me a sense of nostalgia, I like to think of the music as my “childhood soundtrack.” For some context, EDM is a broad term for music made using electronic instruments and computers. EDM is less of a genre and more of a categorizing term.
House music is one of the many categories of EDM along with dubstep, hardstyle, techno, and more. House music started in the clubs of Chicago back in the ‘80s, and since then, it has grown into a worldwide sound that keeps people everywhere dancing. In this article, I will dive into the cultural upbringing, subgenres, and the future of house music. House music has roots in Chicago starting in the early 1980s. Underground clubs where black and queer DJs were spinning is where house was officially born. As the disco era of EDM faded, house music was able to get people dancing once again with new techniques and innovations. A club called The Warehouse was influential in the upbringing of house music and is essentially what gave it its name. Records that were produced in the club were labeled: “as played at The Warehouse” which then developed into “house music.”
There are subcultures to house as a genre, most notably being deep house, progressive house, tech house, and garage house. All of these may differ in title from person to person and producer to producer, but they all serve a unique purpose. Let’s start off with my current favorite: garage house.
Garage house
This subgenre is better known as “UKG” or “UK Garage” as it derives from British music culture. Though it actually originated in the night club Paradise Garage in New York City, the genre was truly born when British DJs would remix US songs and increase the tempo and enhance baselines which really enhanced the original versions of the song. The modifications also often included strong feminine vocals over added base tones. All of those modifications added an upbeat, dance vibe to the music. UKG has a tempo of 130 beats per minute (BPM), which is my preferred tempo. BPM is a great tool when finding different genres you may like based on similar tempos.
Notable songs: “Devotion” by Lance Savali, “You’re in My System” by TORYONTHEBEAT, “Forever” by Zulan
Deep house
This genre is one of the fastest growing and vastly popular subgenres. Back in the ’80s it started as a spin-off of house music, but it combines the elements of Chicago house with jazz, funk, and soul. This genre was born out of traditional DJs trying to make something different and new, often being categorized as “downtempo,” with a more delicate sound compared to house. It draws rhythms from jazz and soul, giving it its name “deep house.” Because this genre is so popular, there has become a murky line between deep house and pop music, which can be deceiving. Overall, this subgenre has a lot to offer and serves as a base for many other subgenres.
Notable songs: “Dive” by Taiki Nulight and Rue More, “Silence” by Tom Ferry, Going Deeper, and Sylvie, “Light” by Nu Aspect
Progressive house
Progressive house is another subgenre born in the clubs of the UK and it emerged in the 1990s after the “death” of disco. This genre also gets mistaken for techno, tech house, and sometimes deep house. It has parts from house music’s tempo and trance with sound sets from techno to make the perfect sound that is progressive house. Dark and brooding in nature, progressive house aims to take the crowd on a journey with songs that often have long build-ups throughout.
Notable songs: “I Remember” (John Summit Remix) by deadmau5, Kaskade, and John Summit, “No Time” (RÜFÜS DU SOL Remix) by Lastlings and RÜFÜS DU SOL, “Wherever You Are” by DubVision, Martin Garrix, and Shaun Farrugia
Tech house
Tech house takes influence from techno and house to form a subgenre of house music. The rhythm is what makes tech house, tech. The second and fourth beats are emphasized by a bass drum hit. This genre mainly comes from Detroit and has been developed in Chicago and Ibiza. In all, this genre has strong techno roots as a house subgenre and it blends the best of both EDM genres to create tech house.
Notable Songs: “Don’t Stop” by Prospa, “Toxic” by Chris Lake and Ragie Ban, “Drum Death” by Westend and HOSANNA
The future of house music is being shaped by genre-blending and constant innovation, as artists increasingly draw from diverse musical influences to push the boundaries of the genre. Streaming platforms, TikTok, and the rise of bedroom producers have democratized music production and distribution, allowing fresh, experimental sounds to reach wide audiences quickly and organically. At the same time, there is a growing revival of classic house aesthetics in mainstream music, with artists reintroducing vintage synths, four-on-the-floor rhythms, and soulful vocals, creating a dynamic fusion of nostalgia and modernity that continues to evolve the genre.
House music is more than just a genre, it’s a movement that has evolved through decades of cultural shifts, innovation, and community. From its underground roots in Chicago to its global influence today, house has always been about connection, self-expression, and the shared joy of dance. As new producers rise, technology advances, and old-school sounds are reborn in fresh ways, the heartbeat of house music remains strong. Whether you’re deep into the genre or just discovering it, there’s always something new to explore and feel. Hopefully, this article has sparked your curiosity and appreciation for the sounds, stories, and soul that make house music so special.