Is vaporwave a type of EDM?

[Polly Lieberman]

Not exactly, but vaporwave and EDM (Electronic Dance Music) share some common ground. Vaporwave Music is more of an aesthetic-focused music genre and art movement, while EDM is a broad umbrella term for danceable electronic music styles like house, techno, dubstep, and more.

Vaporwave emerged in the early 2010s, characterized by its dreamy, nostalgic soundscapes, heavy sampling of 1980s and 1990s pop, elevator music, and smooth jazz. It's often slow-paced and atmospheric, leaning more toward experimental and ambient music than most EDM genres' high-energy, danceable nature.

While some vaporwave tracks might incorporate electronic production techniques found in EDM, it's not designed for club or festival settings like traditional EDM is. Instead, vaporwave thrives in online and visual culture, often paired with retro, surreal, or cyberpunk-inspired imagery.