Recommended house/techno

Floating Electronic Music: A Collection of Ambient Techno Masterpieces

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Ambient house emerged in the late 1980s, within the flourishing house music and rave scenes, as relaxing music intended for so-called chillout.

From there, a derivative form called “ambient techno” was born in the 1990s—a genre that feels like ambient music reconstructed by a generation of techno artists.

There are many subgenres that incorporate elements of ambient techno, making a strict definition difficult, but one hallmark is a sense of weightless drift that sets it apart from functional dance music made strictly for dancing.

In this article, focusing mainly on the ’90s while also looking at artists from the 2000s onward, we’ll introduce classic tracks of ambient techno!

A Collection of Classic Tracks in Floating Electronic Music: Ambient Techno (21–30)

Liquid InsectsAmorphous Androgynous

Liquid Insects – Amorphous Androgynous (Future Sound of London)

Liquid InsectsAmorphous Androgynous

The Future Sound of London, pioneers of electronic music from the UK, have released works under various names in pursuit of the possibilities of electronic sound, boasting an extensive discography.

Their presence is also significant in the history of ambient techno, with 1994’s Lifeforms—incorporating ambient elements—being particularly famous.

Another celebrated work is 1993’s Tales of Ephidrina, released under their Amorphous Androgynous alias, widely regarded as a classic of ambient techno.

The track introduced here, Liquid Insects, appears on that album and was also issued as a 12-inch single.

With a sound that sits between progressive house and ambient techno, it’s a fascinating listen for anyone interested in the early ’90s dance music landscape.

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HorizonARTBAT

ARTBAT – Horizon (Official Audio Video)

HorizonARTBAT

This track, released in November 2021 on their own label UPPERGROUND by the Ukraine-born duo ARTBAT who have taken the world by storm, is a masterpiece that represents an evolved form of melodic techno.

It opens with beautifully resonant arpeggios, then gradually builds with a powerful kick and a shimmering bassline, creating a feeling of exhilaration as if you’re racing toward the horizon.

In the mid-track breakdown, a dreamy, piano-like melody emerges, drawing the listener into a world of silence.

From there, the arrangement rises again, brilliantly fusing the lines between underground and pop.

While it boasts a grand soundscape perfect for experiencing at large-scale festivals, it also has the delicacy to shine in the intimate confines of a club.

It’s an ideal track for late-night drives or when you want to focus deeply on your work.

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