“The sound of the euro” Why do the sounds differ depending on the country?
| Text: mmr | Theme: Genre: Music column | Theme: Comparative analysis of 90’s Euro music by country of production |
Although it is often referred to as Euro music,'' in reality, thesound texture’’ and aesthetic sense'' differ depending on the country in which it was produced.
In the 1990s, the main battlegrounds for this genre were **Italy, Germany, and Sweden**.
Based on their respective cultural, industrial, and technological backgrounds, they were exporting their ownsound of the euro’’ to the world.
Italian Euro: “Speed” and “Synth Shine”
Summary
- Locations: Milan, Verona, Parma, etc.
- Main labels: Time Records, A-Beat-C, Discomagic
- Features: Fast BPM, fancy synth, thick unison melody, emotional vocals
Sound characteristics
- BPM is very fast at 140-160
- There are many sounds, and the synths are flashy and sparkling.
- Prioritize melody over rhythm
- Dramatic and emotional development
Representative artist/unit -Dave Rodgers
- Domino
- Alexia
- Corona
- Eiffel 65
Cultural background
- Italo Disco ~ Successor of High Energy
- The structure and scale are theatrical, typical of Italy, a major country of film music.
- Domestic demand is limited, export-oriented to foreign countries (especially Japan)
Representative discography
| Artist | Album/Single | Characteristics/Hit Songs |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Rodgers | Eurobeat Compilation Vol.1 (1991) | A masterpiece of high-speed Eurobeat.Representative song “Deja Vu” etc. |
| Domino | S.A.X. (1992) | Features catchy and flashy synth lines |
| Alexia | Fan Club (1997) | Melodic Eurodance with emphasis on vocals.Hit song “Uh La La La” |
| Corona | The Rhythm of the Night (1995) | A masterpiece of Euro dance.“The Rhythm of the Night” becomes a global hit |
| Eiffel 65 | Europop (1999) | Late Italo Dance.Hit song “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” |
German Euro: “Power” and “Structural Beauty”
Summary
- Locations: Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, etc.
- Main labels: Dance Pool (Sony Germany), Zyx, Low Spirit
- Characteristics: Heavy beat, mechanical bass line, minimal composition, club-oriented
Sound characteristics
- Thick and hard kick drum, emphasizing 4/4 beats
- Emphasis on rhythm and structure over melody
- The chord progression is simple and dark
- There are many trance-like elements, making use of the loop feeling.
Representative artist/unit -Snap! -Culture Beat -Real McCoy
- U96 -Scooter
Cultural background
- Precision and technological orientation as an industrialized nation
- Club rave culture is highly pervasive, and there are many more practical tracks
- Musical liberation progresses after the fall of the Berlin Wall
Representative discography
| Artist | Album/Single | Characteristics/Hit Songs |
|---|---|---|
| Snap! | World Power (1990) | Includes global hits “The Power” and “Rhythm Is a Dancer” |
| Culture Beat | Serenity (1993) | Club-oriented Euro dance.“Mr. Vain” is the representative song |
| Real McCoy | Another Night (1995) | American-German hybrid unit.Hit songs “Another Night” and “Run Away” |
| U96 | Das Boot (1992) | Techno-trance-oriented.Title song is a club hit |
| Scooter | Our Happy Hardcore (1996) | Hard dance euro.Representative song “Hyper Hyper” |
Swedish Euro: “Sophisticated pop sensation”
Summary
- Location: Stockholm, Malmö, etc.
- Main labels: Stockholm Records, Mega Records
- Characteristics: Cool sound, pop-oriented English lyrics, soft mix
Sound characteristics
- Pop structure, easy to listen to and approachable
- Many songs are mid-tempo and ballad-type.
- Moderate rhythm, emphasis on melody and vocals
- Polished mix and production clarity
Representative artist/unit
- Ace of Base -Roxette
- Dr. Alban
- Rednex
- Army of Lovers
Cultural background
- Sweden has a high level of English education, and the lyrics are mostly in English.
- Since ABBA, it has been a tradition to make export-oriented pop music.
- Sound creation that emphasizes melody in the middle rather than hard
Representative discography
| Artist | Album/Single | Characteristics/Hit Songs |
|---|---|---|
| Ace of Base | Happy Nation / The Sign (1993/1994) | US hits such as “All That She Wants” and “The Sign” |
| Roxette | Joyride (1991) | Pop-rock fusion.“Joyride” and “Fading Like a Flower” included |
| Dr. Alban | One Love (1992) | Euro-reggae fusion.“Sing Hallelujah!” hit |
| Rednex | Sex & Violins (1995) | Country x techno fusion.“Cotton Eye Joe” global hit |
| Army of Lovers | Massive Luxury Overdose (1991) | Camp & Aesthetic Europop.“Crucified” is the representative song |
Comparison table summary: “Euro personality” by country of production
| Italy | Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPM | Fast (140-160) | Standard to Slightly Fast (128-140) | Middle (110-130) |
| Aesthetics | Flashy, emotional, dramatic | Mechanical, structural | Soft, pop, sophisticated |
| Main Battlefield | Japanese Market/Anime/Parapara | Club/Rave | International Pop Market |
| Melody tendency | Clear, flashy, lead synth | Repetitive, dark | Friendly, mostly melodies |
| Cultural characteristics | Inheritance of Italo Disco | Precision industrial club thinking | Nordic pop export orientation |
Euro music was not “national music” but “national sound”
The greatest appeal of 1990s Euro music is that, while it functions as a ``universal language,’’ it is actually deeply embedded with the cultures and aesthetics of each country. Even though they are all similar, the heat of Italy, the hardness of Germany, and the coolness of Sweden are clearly different.
Music born at the intersection of global and local.That may be the essence of the 1990s euro.
Explore more like this
【コラム】 ユーロミュージックとクラブカルチャー：ラジオとレイヴの交差点
Is the euro pop?Is it underground?
【コラム】 ユーロミュージックとクラブカルチャー：ラジオとレイヴの交差点
ユーロはポップか？アンダーグラウンドか？
【コラム】 国境で変わる“ユーロの音”──イタリア、ドイツ、スウェーデン：三大制作国が生んだユーロ・ミュージックの違い
“ユーロの音” なぜ国別で音が違うのか？
Captain Jack – Together And Forever!
Captain Jack is a dance project from Cologne, Germany that represents the Eurodance scene of the 90s.The initial members were producers Udo Niebergall and Richard Witte.A party maker who headlined...
Alexia – Uh La La La
Alexia is a singer from Italy.She also works under her real name, Alessia Aquilani, and Alexia Cooper.
Captain Jack – Together And Forever!
Captain Jack(キャプテン・ジャック)は、90年代のユーロダンスシーンを代表するドイツ・ケルンのダンスプロジェクト。初期メンバーは、プロデューサーUdo NiebergallとRichard Witte。90年代の全ての有名なフェスティバルのヘッドライナーを務め盛り上げたパーティーメーカー。
Alexia – Uh La La La
Alexia(アレクシア)は、イタリア出身のシンガー。本名のAlessia AquilaniやAlexia Cooper名義でも活動している。
Soeur Plus! – Agio
The debut album by Dutch duo Soeur Plus!, released in 1996.
Soeur Plus! – Agio
1996年にリリースされたオランダ出身の男女デュオ Soeur Plus! (スール・プリュ!)のデビューアルバム。
MDC-X-Static – You And Me
The producers are Bingoboys, a DJ trio from Vienna made up of Klaus Biedermann, Paul Pfab, and Helmut Wolfgruber, who are famous for their song “How To Dance,” which became...
MDC-X-Static – You And Me
プロデューサーは、1990年に世界中でクラブヒットとなった「How To Dance」が有名なウィーン出身のKlaus Biedermann、Paul Pfab、 Helmut WolfgruberによるDJトリオBingoboys。
.webp)
