9. Dance music will show its soft side
Dance music has been spiraling upwards for half a decade now. Whether it’s underground clubs in Europe, big festivals in the US, or warehouse raves in South America, the sound of late night partying has been getting faster, harder, and more aggressive. Mainstay genres like techno have hit dizzying speeds, and high-energy styles like gabber, hardcore, hard house, and trance are more popular than ever.
There are a few theories as to why this music industry trend has been so long-lasting. Some argue that the pandemic left clubbers impatient and starved for adrenaline. Others point to social media: genres with big drops and heavy beats make more of an impact in the short videos that DJs and fans post online.
Whatever its source, 2025 might be the year that hard and fast gives way to slow and sensual. There are already signs of a shift. In techno, 2024 has seen the rise of “groove,” a music trend that favors subtle swing over jackhammer beats. Slower, more restrained club genres, like minimal and tech house, are on a steady rise, suggesting possible new directions for the global club scene.
It’s hard to say exactly which new sounds will break through in 2025. But if you want to make the forward-thinking club hit of the year, it might be worth notching down the tempo and exploring softer textures.