【コラム】 IDMの発祥から現在まで ― 知的探究とダンスフロアの狭間で

Column en 00s 90s IDM

09 Sep 2025

What is IDM?

Text: mmr｜Theme: From the birth of IDM to the present

A labyrinth of sounds that tickles intellectual curiosity - IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) is a genre that was born out of the experimental spirit of techno and ambient music in the early 1990s, going beyond the boundaries of club music and opening up a new realm of ``electronic music for listening.’‘Emphasizing complex rhythms, precise acoustic processing, and original sound design over functionality on the dance floor, it embodies the fusion of technology and artistry.This trend continues from pioneers such as Aphex Twin and Autechre to the modern experimental electronic music scene.

Early 1990s: Birth - The germ of “dance music for listening”

At the end of the 1980s, in the midst of the UK rave culture and techno craze, underground labels and artists began to explore electronic music for home listening'' rather than just a club tool. TheArtificial Intelligence’’ series released by Warp Records in 1992 was a decisive turning point, and the name ``IDM’’ became widespread.

Representative masterpiece
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (1992)
Autechre – Incunabula (1993)
The Orb – U.F.Orb (1992)
Black Dog Productions – Bytes (1993)
Equipment characteristics In addition to Roland TR-808, 909, and TB-303, samplers such as Akai S1000 and sequencer environments such as Atari ST + Cubase were frequently used, making it possible to construct complex beats.

List of 10 recommended songs (early 1990s)

No	Artist	Song title	Comment
1	Aphex Twin	Xtal	Floating ambient beat, symbol of early IDM
2	Autechre	Kalpol Intro	The beginning of minimal and abstract IDM
3	Black Dog Productions	Carceres Ex Novum	Fusion of melody and beat
4	LFO	LFO	Important tracks that connect techno and IDM
5	B12	Soundtrack Of Space	SF-like and futuristic texture
6	Orbital	Belfast	Bridging dance and listening
7	The Orb	Little Fluffy Clouds	A masterpiece that makes full use of sampling
8	Speedy J	De-Orbit	The origin of ambient techno
9	Seefeel	Plainsong	Guitar noise and IDM approach
10	Global Communication	14:31	Meditative ambient works

Late 1990s: Deepening and complexity

After interacting with jungle and drum and bass, IDM moved on to rhythmic subdivision and sonic experimentation.Artistic acclaim outside the clubs grew, and it began to be talked about in the context of art schools and galleries.

Representative masterpiece
Aphex Twin – Richard D. James Album (1996)
Autechre – Tri Repetae (1995)
Squarepusher – Hard Normal Daddy (1997)
μ-Ziq – Lunatic Harness (1997)
Equipment characteristics Programming environments such as Max/MSP and SuperCollider have appeared. Hardware synths such as Nord Lead and Access Virus became popular.

List of 10 recommended songs (late 1990s)

No	Artist	Song title	Comment
1	Aphex Twin	Girl/Boy Song	Fusion of strings and complex beats
2	Autechre	Eutow	Mechanical and beautiful rhythm design
3	Squarepusher	My Red Hot Car	An innovative blend of jazz and IDM
4	μ-Ziq	Brace Yourself Jason	Drill-like development and playfulness
5	Boards of Canada	Roygbiv	Nostalgic and warm sound
6	Plaid	Abla Eedio	Geometric and pop melody
7	Bogdan Raczynski	Samurai Math Beats	Intense beat experiment
8	Cylob	Cut The Midrange, Drop The Bass	A humorous gem from the Aphex group
9	Luke Vibert	I Love Acid	The intersection of IDM and acid
10	Venetian Snares	Hajnal	Fusion of classical and breakcore

2000s: Post-IDM and Crossover

Fusing with electronica, post-rock, ambient, etc., it expands to a wider range of listeners.With the spread of the Internet and P2P, the nature of releases has changed.

Representative masterpiece
Boards of Canada – Geogaddi (2002)
Four Tet – Rounds (2003)
Plaid – Spokes (2003)
Venetian Snares – Rossz Csillag Alatt Született (2005)
Equipment characteristics Introducing Ableton Live, which combines real-time manipulation and production. Soft synths such as Reaktor and FM7 have become standard.

List of 10 recommended songs (2000s)

No	Artist	Song title	Comment
1	Boards of Canada	Dayvan Cowboy	Lyrical acoustic beauty
2	Four Tet	My Angel Rocks Back and Forth	Folktronica masterpieces
3	Plaid	Zeal	Symbol of the electronica era
4	Venetian Snares	Szamar Madar	The line between classical and IDM
5	Amon Tobin	Verbal	Clever reconstruction of the sample
6	Prefuse 73	One Word Extinguisher	An encounter between hip-hop and IDM
7	Telefon Tel Aviv	Fahrenheit Fair Enough	Smooth acoustics and beats
8	Ulrich Schnauss	Monday – Paracetamol	Shoegaze IDM
9	Isan	Microdisko	Minimal and warm sound image
10	Clark	Totem Crackerjack	Rough and experimental texture

2010s: Reconnecting with the club

Mixed with bass music, grime, and ambient techno.IDM became more of an aesthetic than a genre, permeating the sound design of underground clubs and festivals.

Representative masterpiece
Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (2011)
Actress – R.I.P (2012)
Arca – Xen (2014)
Aphex Twin – Syro (2014)
Equipment characteristics Modular synth (Eurorack) boom. Original instrument development using Max for Live.

List of 10 recommended songs (2010s)

No	Artist	Song title	Comment
1	Oneohtrix Point Never	Replica	Fusion of glitch and ambient
2	Actress	Hubble	Dark and abstract IDM
3	Arca	Thievery	Avant-garde and sensual acoustics
4	Aphex Twin	Minipops 67	A masterpiece announcing the revival
5	James Blake	CMYK	Bridging post-dubstep and IDM
6	Laurel Halo	Sunlight on the Faded	Experimental vocals and acoustics
7	Tim Hecker	Virgins	Noise and IDM construction
8	Andy Stott	Luxury Problems	Dark and profound club-oriented IDM
9	Holly Herndon	Chorus	Pioneer of AI approach
10	Lapalux	Without You	Emotional IDM R&B

2020s-present: Dispersing IDM genes

In the streaming era, the boundaries between genres are becoming increasingly blurred.Elements of IDM are present in scenes as diverse as ambient, hyperpop, techno, and lo-fi beats.

Representative masterpiece
Autechre – SIGN / PLUS (2020)
Kelly Lee Owens – Inner Song (2020)
Floating Points – Promises (2021, with Pharoah Sanders & LSO)
Skee Mask – Pool (2021)
Equipment characteristics Use of AI support tools and generative music software. Hybrid production that combines modular and software.

List of 10 recommended songs (2020s-present)

No	Artist	Song title	Comment
1	Autechre	M4 Lema	Complex and organic evolution
2	Kelly Lee Owens	Night	Dreamy Soundscape
3	Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders	Movement 1	Supreme fusion of jazz and IDM
4	Skee Mask	Rev8617	Fusion of breakbeat and ambient
5	Caterina Barbieri	Fantas	Modular Hypnotic Repetition
6	Rian Treanor	Ataxia	The forefront of rhythm experimentation
7	Loraine James	Simple Stuff	The new standard-bearer of UK electronica
8	Actress	XXX	Intersection with the latest club
9	Jlin	Embryo	Intersection between footwork and IDM
10	Fennesz	Agora	Fusion of guitar acoustics and IDM

The spirit of acoustic experimentation itself

IDM has gone beyond the framework of ``dance music for intellectual listening’’ and has evolved into the very spirit of sonic experimentation. Although it started outside clubs, it has now found its way back into club and pop music, and its aesthetic is sprinkled throughout contemporary electronic music.