IDM

IDM on vinyl: electronics for listening

In short: IDM – short for “intelligent dance music” – emerged in England in the early nineties: electronic music with intricate rhythms and unfamiliar sounds, made more for headphones than for the dance floor. The Sheffield label Warp and artists such as Autechre are seen as defining it. Many artists dislike the name themselves. The Vinyl Room currently has 45 IDM records.

What is IDM?

Rhythms that stumble and shift, sounds you can’t place right away: Autechre are represented with “Incunabula”, “Chiastic Slide” and “Draft 7.30”.

From Berlin come Moderat and Modeselektor with “Monkeytown”, from Copenhagen Trentemøller, from London Loraine James with “Reflection”; plus Battles from New York and Huerco S.

What to look for

Some IDM albums came out as double LPs; label and year of release help you tell whether you have the first edition or a later reissue – it’s noted with each copy.

From our stock

First pressings

New in

→ Techno · Ambient · Experimental · Electronic on vinyl · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained

FAQ

What does IDM stand for? “Intelligent dance music” – an early-nineties name for electronic music made for listening.

Who shaped IDM? Among others Autechre, Aphex Twin and the Warp label.

Is IDM dance music? Not primarily – IDM is often meant for listening, though some tracks also work in the club.

What is the difference from techno? IDM is freer and more playful, techno straighter and built for the dance floor.