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Progressive house

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Progressive house
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 1990s, United Kingdom
Derivative forms
  • dark progressive house
  • mainstage progressive house
Fusion genres
Other topics

Progressive house is a subgenre of house music that emerged in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. It is characterized by its evolving, melodic structures, subtle transitions, and layered sound design.[1][2] Initially rooted in a deeper underground sound, progressive house evolved to gain mainstream appeal by the 2010s, blending with festival styles and incorporating anthemic elements, leading to broader interpretations.[3][4][5]

Etymology

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See also: Progressive music

In the context of popular music the word "progressive" was first used widely in the 1970s to differentiate experimental forms of rock music from mainstream styles. Such music attempted to explore alternate approaches to rock music production.[6] In disco music, and later house music, a similar desire to separate more exploratory styles from standard approaches saw DJs and producers adopting the word "progressive" to make a distinction.[citation needed]

According to DJ and producer Carl Craig, the term "progressive" was used in Detroit in the early 1980s in reference to Italo disco. The music was dubbed "progressive" because it drew upon the influence of Giorgio Moroder's Euro disco rather than the disco inspired by the symphonic sound of Philadelphia soul. In Detroit, prior to the emergence of techno, artists like Alexander Robotnick, Klein + M.B.O. and Capricorn filled a vacancy left after disco's demise in America.[7][8] In the late 1980s, UK music journalist Simon Reynolds introduced the term "progressive dance" to describe acts such as 808 State, The Orb, Bomb the Bass and The Shamen. Between 1990 and 1992, the term "progressive" referred to the short-form buzz word for the house music subgenre "progressive house".[9]

History

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Origins and early development (1990s – 2000s)

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Progressive house emerged after the first wave of house music.[10] The roots of progressive house can be traced back to the early 1990s rave and club scenes in the United Kingdom.[11] The buzz word emerged from the rave scene around 1990 to 1992, describing a new sound of house that broke away from its American roots. In 1992, Mixmag described it at the time as a "new breed of hard but tuneful, banging but thoughtful, uplifting and trancey British house." A combination of US house, UK house, Italian house, and techno largely influenced one another during this era.[9]

In June 1992, Mixmag published a list that contained what the magazine viewed as the top progressive house tracks at that time.[9]

According to American DJ/producer duo Gabriel & Dresden, Leftfield's October 1990 release "Not Forgotten" was possibly the first progressive house production. The record label Guerilla Records, set up by William Orbit & Dick O'Dell, is thought to have been pivotal in the growth of a scene around the genre.[12] The 1994 Renaissance: The Mix Collection, mixed by Sasha and John Digweed, and Northern Exposure in 1996 have both been credited with establishing the genre, helping to define its sound and structure. As well as Guerilla Records, the labels Deconstruction Records, Hooj Choons and Soma Records contributed to the scene's development in the early to mid 1990s.[11] Among its derivative genres, progressive breaks emerged in the late 1990s as a subgenre of breaks that blends the rhythmic complexity of breakbeat with the melodic and evolving structures of progressive house.

In the early 2000s, progressive house evolved by incorporating elements from deep house, tech house, and progressive trance. Pioneering artists such as Sasha, John Digweed, Hernán Cattáneo, and Sander Kleinenberg were instrumental in shaping its sound. This period also saw a convergence with the progressive trance movement, as artists like Deep Dish and Nick Warren infused more ethereal and cinematic elements into their productions.[3] In contrast to this trend, dark progressive house emerged as a deep, hypnotic and atmospheric variant of the genre.[13]

Mainstream expansion and stylistic shifts (2010s – Present)

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By the 2010s, the term "progressive house" had broadened significantly, often diverging from its original underground meaning to a more mainstream and festival-oriented productions. This shift was reinforced by electronic music (EDM) charts and industry rankings, particularly DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list[14] and digital platforms like Beatport[15], which categorized a wide range of commercially successful tracks under the "progressive house" label. As a result, the genre’s definition became increasingly ambiguous, with some artists and fans distinguishing between two distinct styles: the classic progressive house sound rooted in the 1990s and the more energetic, big room-influenced style that gained prominence in the 2010s.[3]This new style has been labeled with different terms such as mainstage progressive house[16] and big room progressive house[17] to distinguish it from the original genre.

During this period, the emerging style of progressive house gained widespread global popularity, thanks to artists such as Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, Nicky Romero, and Martin Garrix. Avicii's 2011 hit "Levels" became one of the defining tracks of the era, blending uplifting melodies with festival-ready energy.[18] Similarly, Swedish House Mafia, the group composed by Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello, propelled the genre further with "Don't You Worry Child" (2012)[19], an anthem that solidified progressive house’s position in radio-friendly EDM. Swedish music labels Axtone, Refune, and Size played a pivotal role in defining the sound.[20] This era saw progressive house incorporating elements of big room house, a subgenre characterized by simplified structures, heavy drops, and grand, anthemic melodies, which take its roots in electro house. The fusion of these styles contributed to the commercial expansion of the genre, making it a staple at major EDM festivals worldwide.[4] Despite this shift, some artists remained committed to the original ethos, focusing on gradual builds, atmospheric textures, and intricate sound design. Eric Prydz[21] and Deadmau5, for instance, continued to refine and evolve the classic progressive house style, maintaining its connection to trance-influenced roots. "Strobe" by Deadmau5 is a good example, which had been cited by Billboard Dance as the artist's all-time best song.[22][23][5]

In recent years, after the early 2010s commercial "EDM boom"[24], underground sounds have regained popularity. Labels like Anjunadeep, Lost & Found, and Sudbeat played a significant role in fostering this new wave of progressive house. These labels, led by artists such as James Grant, Guy J, Hernán Cattáneo focused on rich melodic structures, atmospheric soundscapes, and intricate arrangements, distancing themselves from the "big room" style that had dominated the EDM scene.[25][26] Furthermore, the new wave of melodic house and melodic techno in the late 2010s and the early 2020s has led to a resurgence in clubs and festivals, blending progressive house with modern electronic textures.[27][28] This ongoing duality within progressive house reflects its evolution, as the genre continues to exist in both its underground and mainstream forms, catering to different audiences within the electronic music landscape.[5]

Stylistic elements

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Progressive house

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The progressive house sound of the early 1990s is characterized by a fusion of US house, UK house, Italian house, and techno influences. It features long tracks (typically 8–12 minutes) with evolving structures, subtle transitions, and layered melodies, creating a deep, hypnotic, and atmospheric experience on the dance floor.[29] Intensity is added by the regular addition and subtraction of layers of sound.[30] Phrases are typically 4, 8, or 16 bars long and often begin with a new or different melody or rhythm.[31]

Dark progressive house

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In the early 2000s, dark progressive house emerged as a hypnotic and atmospheric evolution of progressive house, moving away from mainstream trends, characterized by deep basslines, intricate percussion, and dark synths.[32]

Mainstage progressive house

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See also: Big room house

The 2010s mainstage progressive house style became more structured (4–6 minutes), favoring punchy kicks, bright supersaw leads, and anthemic melodies. Tracks follow a predictable build-break-drop format with massive energy shifts, often designed for festival crowds.[31] The breakdowns were dramatic, leading to euphoric, explosive drops with sidechained synths and heavy reverb, making it more commercially oriented than its 90s counterpart.[4][33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gerard, Morgan; Sidnell, Jack. Popular Music and Society 24.3 (Fall 2000): 21–39.
  2. ^ "Open Your Mind! 35 stunners from back when progressive house wasn't terrible". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Todoroski, James (14 September 2020). "Back In Time: A History Of Progressive House | CULTR". Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Lombardo, Scott (1 January 2020). "The Evolution of Dance Music Genres in the 2010s". EDMTunes. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "The Complete Guide to EDM or Electronic Dance Music". Armada Music. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  6. ^ Kevin Holm-Hudson (2008).Genesis and the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,Ashgate, p.75, (ISBN 0754661474).
  7. ^ Reynolds, S., Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (New York: Routledge, 1999), p. 16.
  8. ^ Reynolds, S., Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture (New York: Routledge, 1999), p. 22.
  9. ^ a b c Phillips, Dom, Trance-Mission Archived 5 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Mixmag, June 1992.
  10. ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir (2001). All music guide to electronica: the definitive guide to electronic music. Backbeat Books. p. xiii. ISBN 0879306289. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  11. ^ a b Simon Huxtable (11 August 2014). "What is Progressive House?". Decoded Magazine. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  12. ^ Gabriel & Dresden (1 October 2014). "How to Talk to Your Kids About Progressive House". Insomniac. Insomniac Holdings. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  13. ^ Balance-Walter (6 October 2024). "Deep. Dark. Progressive. | BALANCE MUSIC". balancemusic.com.au. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  14. ^ "Tiësto | Top 100 DJs 2012 | DJMag.com". DJ Mag. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  15. ^ admin (5 September 2013). "Does Beatport Need to Fix How They Label Genres?". Club Glow. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  16. ^ Stone, Katie (7 August 2020). "Ferreck Dawn Lands Official Remix of Martin Garrix and John Martin's "Higher Ground"". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Mike Candys | Top 100 DJs 2015 | DJMag.com". DJ Mag. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  18. ^ "Maximum Levels: Avicii turned electronic music into a global phenomenon". Mixmag. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  19. ^ Mullins, Ellie (14 September 2022). "Swedish House Mafia's iconic 'Don't You Worry Child' turns 10 years old". We Rave You. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  20. ^ Cartel, Groove (31 March 2022). "Sebastian Ingrosso shuts down REFUNE and launches new label". The Groove Cartel. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  21. ^ Cameron, John (10 October 2019). "Eric Prydz Calls Leaving Swedish House Mafia "the Best Thing that Could Have Happened"". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Decoding The Mix: Strobe - Deadmau5". Mastering The Mix. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  23. ^ "deadmau5 iconic song 'Strobe' turns 11 years old - We Rave You". weraveyou.com. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  24. ^ Sherburne, Philip (5 April 2016). "Popping the Drop: A Timeline of How EDM's Bubble Burst". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  25. ^ "Labels Like Anjunadeep: Going Deeper Down The New Wave of Emotional Electronic Music". magneticmag.com. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  26. ^ Bray, Axel (13 July 2020). "Hernan Cattaneo: "The most important thing is that we all together are the scene, and not each one individually"". Electronic Groove. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  27. ^ 6AM (17 May 2022). "Sit Back & Relax, This Is Your Guide to Melodic Techno". SIX AM. Retrieved 9 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "Beatport adds melodic house & techno as a new genre category". Mixmag. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  29. ^ Simon (14 November 2023). "What is Progressive House?". Decoded Magazine. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  30. ^ Price, Emmett George (2010). "House music". Encyclopedia of African American Music. Vol. 3. ABC-CLIO. p. 406. ISBN 978-0313341991. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  31. ^ a b "Electronica Genre Guide: Progressive". Music Faze. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  32. ^ "Dark Progressive House artists, songs, albums, playlists and listeners – volt.fm". volt.fm. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  33. ^ Haven, Simon (17 July 2024). "What is Progressive House? Everything You Need to Know in 5min". EDMProd. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
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