The Worst Trends in EDM Right Now

Thirsty remixes of new tracks

Do you remember when 50 Cent would drop freestyles and remixes of the hottest songs in hip-hop and R&B, back before he dropped Get Rich Or Die Tryin'? He started a new trend of rappers showcasing how dope they were by murdering "industry" tracks. Or, for the most part, attempting to murder. See, while you could count on a Kanye West or Jay Z to properly capitalize on a known instrumental, the availability of these songs on the Internet had every MC Tom, Dick, and Harry coming from behind their computer screens and attempting to make themselves known by flipping a "modern classic." In 2013, you're seeing the same thing happen with the EDM scene.
You'll see a huge song receive the trap treatment, then the moombahton rework, or a huge dubstep remix. Then it'll keep happening. It's cool to hear a song that allows you the ability to interpret it a number of ways without totally looking like a douche, ala Ciara's "Body Party." There was no reason for the amount of "LRAD" remixes we've heard, or how quickly people started remixing Yeezus after it leaked. You can smell the "let me get MY remix out there first" when you get the spam emails. We're not saying they aren't good, but please, channel some of that thirst into making better original material.

Touting SoundCloud / Beatport numbers

A few years ago, we probably would've been more ecstatic over producers who seemingly come out of nowhere with five-digit SoundCloud plays in a short window of time. Then we heard about how easy it is to buy plays. And the only thing easier than spotting a legit "rising star" is seeing the failure of an artist trying to manufacture buzz. And with the closed-door talk about how many copies it takes to chart on Beatport, we can't say that those stats impress us, either. We live in a Web 2.0 word; word of mouth still matters.

Aftermovies

How many "aftermovies" do we need to see for each event? We can understand a festival or rave wanting to make their own; they have to justify not allowing most publications to bring in video cameras. But does each DJ truly need their own "Ultra Music Festival" recap film? You guys don't truly expect all of these to be posted, do you? And at the very least, if you're going to make an aftermovie, make it worth out viewing. Cut the slow-motion, hands-in-the-air shots (leave them for some documentary or something) and talk to us. Let us know your thoughts and feelings. Or just Instagram some footage.

Overpriced festivals

$500 to attend a festival? Unless Miles Davis going to crawl out of the grave live to spin a special jazz fusion set, we don't see how this can be a necessary price. We get the idea of stacked lineups and amazing light shows needing to be paid for. Does that mean that ravers need to decide between rent, eating, or Ultra tickets? The sad part is, this trend won't end until ravers take a stand and speak with their wallets. Ultra, Insomniac, and any other promotion company will feel justified in asking for these high fees. Why? Because people will pay them.

EPs being touted as albums

For the last two years, Skrillex has swept the "Best Album" categories at the Grammys, and he's not put out an official album. While we don't discount the quality of the releases, there are more than enough proper albums being released in the electronic music scene every year. Why are we calling anything with more than two tracks an album? What's the science behind that? Why discredit talented artists putting out quality longplayers to be showed up by releases that are touted from the rip as EPs?

Uneducated bloggers

We're not sure how this happens, and we don't want to flog many of our peers. There is definitely a disconnect between blogs that know what they're talking about in EDM and spots who just want to be "first!" When a guy like Carnage can get so fed up with anything he's making being called "trap" because he was well-known for trap plays into a larger picture of, well, bloggers just not having the proper education on the scene they're covering. It's one thing to not be up on EVERY genre out there - we get it. You can't know EVERYTHING. But you should also be able to pick out genres or sounds based on BPMs or what the tracks sound similar to. Don't make yourself look silly by trying to classify material as something it isn't. Maybe your readers don't care, but your peers do.

Trying to invent new genre names

This plays into the uneducated bloggerati out there, but nothing says "I'm trying to hard" like constantly trying to create new genres. Sometimes the music you're hearing is just being influenced by something out of the norm. Until you have a reason to classify a group of songs or producers into a certain pot, don't fly off the handle every time you think something is different.

Molly talk

Molly this, Molly that, it seems no one ever wants to put this one to bed. We get it. There's stigma and electronic dance music might forever be intertwined with ecstasy use in the same way 1970's psychedlic rock is with LSD. But do we have to keep bringing it up? Do we have to make it so blatant? I'm all for free speech, and freedom of expression, but it's tiresome to head to shows and festivals and see "America Rolls On Molly" for the umpteenth time. You're not funny, you're not creative, and in light of recent events, you're making it worse for the rest of us.

Hating on producers because they're famous

Hate can spread like the plague, and when you're solely hating on a producer because they are popular, you look like one of the most bandwagon-riding individuals out there. A DJ or producer is winning, so your immediate thought is to spit on everything they're doing? How childish is that? You don't have to like their music, but if they aren't doing their job in a disrespectful or shady manner, why throw unwarranted hate at them?

Horrible artwork

Now's the time, artists. You can't be dropping your debut single with cover art that you created in MS Paint. Gone are days of whitelabel vinyl singles; your visual representation can be just as vital to your progression as an artists as your music. You need to have high quality images painting the picture for your music.

Lots of subliminals and jabs in this post...wow!

Credit : Do Androids Dance