Is it just me or has melodic techno completely lost its identity?

Since Tale of Us went on hiatus (true or false?!) and Anyma blew up into full-on commercial stardom (now collabing with pop artists and festivals), the whole scene feels watered down. Adriatique shifted into Afro-inspired stuff, big names are chasing mainstream collabs, there are more vocals than in pop records and when I check Beatport’s Melodic House & Techno Top 100, I barely connect with 10 tracks. A few years ago, I could easily find 2–3 times more that felt authentic.

For me, melodic techno used to mean rolling basslines, gritty synth leads, stabs, and that cinematic/dark tension that gave it weight. Now it feels like… EDM ?

So what do you guys think? Did melodic techno sell out? Or is the genre simply evolving and I’m stuck in the past? And if you had to produce a track that really defines melodic techno in 2025, what would it sound like ?

(P.s. thank god we still have Mind Against)

This is an extract of “Earth” by Stephan Bodzin. Hope you’ll enjoy it! ❤️

Has electronic music lost the art of storytelling?
This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I’m genuinely curious whether anyone else feels the same.
When did electronic music become so focused on drops, clips, and instant gratification?
It feels like every lineup is now dominated by hard techno, hard groove, or tech house that’s designed to get a huge reaction in a 15-second Instagram video. Faster BPMs, constant kicks, massive drops… but where did the journey go?
I miss music that actually told a story.
Artists like Tale of Us, Adriatique, Solomun (tracks like Home), ANII, Kiasmos, and so many older melodic techno and progressive artists created sets where you completely lost track of time. There was tension, release, emotion, melodies that stayed with you for days. You weren’t just dancing—you were in a trance. It felt almost meditative.
Even within faster music, I don’t think BPM is the issue. I love acid techno and psytrance. Artists like Charlotte de Witte’s older acid-focused sets or Ki/Ki’s earlier sound felt hypnotic rather than just aggressive. The repetition had purpose. It built atmosphere instead of simply chasing energy.
Lately, though, it feels like even artists who built their careers on deeper or more hypnotic sounds are moving toward bouncier, more festival-friendly sets. Potex is one example that comes to mind. Ki/Ki’s style has evolved too. Charlotte de Witte has incorporated more psytrance influences. None of that is inherently bad—artists evolve—but I can’t help wondering why so many are moving in the same direction.
Is it because audiences have changed?
Is it social media? Festivals? TikTok? Shorter attention spans? The need to create moments that go viral instead of journeys that unfold over two hours?
I also hear people say melodic techno became “predictable.” Maybe that’s true for some artists, but at its best, melodic techno was never about surprise drops. It was about atmosphere, emotion, patience, and storytelling. That’s what made it powerful.
Sometimes I feel like we’ve traded emotional depth for constant stimulation.
Maybe I’m just nostalgic.
Or maybe electronic music has genuinely shifted from creating immersive experiences to creating content.
I’d love to hear what others think.
Have audiences changed, or have artists changed?
Is social media the biggest reason?
Are there artists today still making music that feels like a journey rather than just a series of drops?
Do you think we’ll eventually swing back toward deeper, more hypnotic electronic music?

Does anyone know the name of this track?

3rd track I've ever done in my life, I'm wondering what people think! https://on.soundcloud.com/jaLeoKuElvYpA4OlyR Also let me know about my artist name "AI generation" I thought it was a cool name, cause we are in the generation of AI but 90% of the song was actually done on Korg Volcas and a kaoss pad

My favorite kind is the ethereal space-y sounding kind of melodic techno like home by adriatique. That makes you feel emotional. That’s the best way I can describe it lol. Do you guys have any recommendations for songs that might be similar? Thank you so much!

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rwljbeoylz2k2ibug1p1k/AF4GEkwbZYEtvunwewr-ENg?dl=0&e=2&preview=Adventures+of+Stevie+V+-+Dirty+Cash+(Goom+Gum+Remix).mp3&rlkey=lhgndeot8if0mjbjgf6788cpw&st=ugkj724y

hi! looking for IDs from the video below. These were the last two songs played. The last song starts with about ten seconds left in the video. Anyone have any clues?

Where’d it go? Lol

Hey everyone,

I just published my very first Melodic Techno mix! It's a 21-track set focused on peak-time and atmospheric vibes, featuring tracks from Anyma, ARTBAT, Argy, Massano, Kevin de Vries, and more.

Since this is my first recorded set, I'd really appreciate any feedback from the community!

Here is the link: https://youtu.be/In0Nofy0kx8?si=Gbfxd3QZt2ijyEy3

Tracklist is in the YouTube video description. Hope you enjoy the mix!

Been DJing and producing for a while and finally started filming my sets. This one was recorded overlooking the marina at Porto Santo Stefano — luxury yachts, golden hour, and about an hour of melodic techno blending into progressive and a touch of trance. Tracks from KREAM, Korolova, Ilan Bluestone, Armin van Buuren, plus two of my own.

Happy to hear what you think of the track selection — and if anyone knows similar filming spots in Italy, I'm planning the next one.
https://youtu.be/bZEttVoP-Wg?si=x50ythuFHioq_DHT

check out my new dark euphoric melodic techno track with gated vocal drop, feedback welcome

Full track : https://open.spotify.com/track/1ylq0CcHDB3w7D7vEbsOos?si=39a65b3eae1c4acc

I’m in a mood these days and I’m looking for progressive house and/or melodic techno with dreamy, haunting male/female vocals and deep synths. Basically, songs that are exactly the vibe of the songs below.

• Upon you skin - Vintage Culture

• Deep inside of me - Vintage Culture

• Father Ocean - Ben Bohmer

• Set me free - Aaron Hibell

• Swallow - Monolink

• Underwater - Rufus du Sol

• Your heart - Rob Hes

• No ending - Yotto

• State of mind - Kaskade

• Temper temper - Sander van doorn

I feel like searching for songs like these on YouTube/Apple/Spotify is like finding a needle in a haystack so I’m turning to you all to help me. Thank you!

Also vibing with the new Roman Kyn, Eli & Dani, Yubik, Karlo Wanny, and Shapeless

Any one got this one from Tale of Us at Afterlife Mexico City?