idm
what it is
IDM refers to intelligent dance music (aka Braindance). IDM is a popular name for an electronic music genre that emerged in the early 1990s at the end of the British rave era. The genre is influenced by a wide range of musical styles particularly electronic dance music (EDM) such as Detroit techno.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make idm a playlist
turn these 36 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is idm?
IDM refers to intelligent dance music (aka Braindance). IDM is a popular name for an electronic music genre that emerged in the early 1990s at the end of the British rave era. The genre is influenced by a wide range of musical styles particularly electronic dance music (EDM) such as Detroit techno.
What are good idm albums to start with?
Try Syro by Aphex Twin, Geogaddi by Boards of Canada, Tri Repetae by Autechre, and Lunatic Harness by µ-Ziq.
Who are some women making idm?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/idm/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making idm, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20