What is Melodic House & Techno?
Sound, tempo, roots and well-known names, and why the style carries club nights and sunsets alike.
Anyone who has been to clubs or open airs in recent years knows the moment: a melody builds over a driving beat, the room holds its breath for a second, then the bass drops back in. That is what Melodic House & Techno stands for, a style that combines feeling and groove.
The sound
The foundation is a steady four-to-the-floor beat with a driving bassline. On top sit synthesizer melodies, wide pads and recurring arpeggios. Long arcs are typical: a track builds over minutes, pulls the energy back in the break and then releases it again. The mood is often melancholic and euphoric at once. Vocals appear, but mostly airy and restrained.
The tempo
Most tracks sit roughly between 120 and 128 BPM, more energetic sets go up to about 130 BPM. At 125–130 BPM, SØLEØN plays the driving side of the style.
Where the style comes from
Melodic House & Techno combines melodic elements of deep house and progressive house with the energy of techno. Since the mid-2010s, labels such as Afterlife, founded by the duo Tale Of Us, as well as Innervisions and Diynamic have shaped the sound. On the music platform Beatport, "Melodic House & Techno" is a genre category of its own. Well-known names include Tale Of Us, Anyma, Stephan Bodzin, Adriatique, ARTBAT and Mind Against.
How it differs from related styles
- Deep house: calmer and warmer, more soul and groove, less of an arc
- Techno: harder and more reduced, less melody, more pressure and repetition
- Progressive house: also melodic and building, often brighter and poppier
- Melodic House & Techno: the middle ground of melody, emotion and driving energy
Where it works best
Melodic House & Techno carries club nights with a clear arc, open airs at sunset and bars later in the evening, when conversation turns into dancing. Because the music leaves room for light and atmosphere, it also suits events with a show and a visual concept.
How it sounds with SØLEØN
SØLEØN stands for atmospheric pads and melodies that carry a room, combined with driving beats between 125–130 BPM that keep it moving. His motto: "Emotion in Motion takes you high." Listen to the High Energy Set or read who is behind SØLEØN.
Is melodic techno the same as melodic house?
The lines are blurred. Melodic house is usually a bit warmer and calmer, melodic techno darker and more driving. Many DJs, SØLEØN included, play both together as Melodic House & Techno.
How fast is Melodic House & Techno?
Usually roughly 120 to 128 BPM, more energetic sets up to about 130 BPM. SØLEØN plays at 125–130 BPM.