midtempo bass
what it is
Emerging in the mid-to-late 2010s, midtempo bass is a form of Electronic Dance Music characterized by a distinct form of harsh synth leads and a usual tempo of around 90-110 BPM (hence its name). The genre combines characteristics mostly derived from Electro House, Post-Industrial trends like Electro-Industrial and Industrial Techno, and Tech House, with additional abrasive sound design/production traits associated with certain styles of underground 2010s EDM like Halftime or even Brostep. Midtempo typically features mid-tempo four-on-the-floor beats (though other rhythms have been introduced by producers as well) that accompany heavily modulated, metallic, distorted, and pounding synth leads, hard-hitting and mechanical percussion, and prominent (sometimes heavily side-chained and compressed) basslines, which all combine to create minimalist, aggressive, and dark tracks.
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level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
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art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
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deep experimental
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questions
What is midtempo bass?
Emerging in the mid-to-late 2010s, midtempo bass is a form of Electronic Dance Music characterized by a distinct form of harsh synth leads and a usual tempo of around 90-110 BPM (hence its name). The genre combines characteristics mostly derived from Electro House, Post-Industrial trends like Electro-Industrial and Industrial Techno, and Tech House, with additional abrasive sound design/production traits associated with certain styles of underground 2010s EDM like Halftime or even Brostep. Midtempo typically features mid-tempo four-on-the-floor beats (though other rhythms have been introduced by producers as well) that accompany heavily modulated, metallic, distorted, and pounding synth leads, hard-hitting and mechanical percussion, and prominent (sometimes heavily side-chained and compressed) basslines, which all combine to create minimalist, aggressive, and dark tracks.
What are good midtempo bass albums to start with?
Try Prime by Corvad, Something Wrong Here by Rezz, SPLIT // PERSONALITY PT. 02 by Deathpact, and CODE 10-31 by Karma Fields.
Who are some women making midtempo bass?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/midtempo-bass/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making midtempo bass, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20





