Three Production Music Trends You Need to Know About in 2023
Looking for on-trend music that’s ready to licence?
We’ve created an updated list, with some of the freshest Production Music genres getting licensed in 2023. The library music trends you need to know about, featuring Drum & Bass, House and Ambient…
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Drum & Bass, also known as DnB, D&B, or D’n’B – the genre of dance music that emerged out of the UK’s rave culture in the early 90s, is enjoying another resurgence. Of course, it didn’t go anywhere to begin with. The beauty of this musical movement is that it’s made up of a core group of creators and followers who have continued to be passionate and loyal since its creation.
What brings us to talk about the genre in this article, though, is the boost in mainstream popularity that this tight knit scene is enjoying right now. Earning several Official Top 10 Chart positions and being placed extensively across television, radio and film, it’s definitely a good time for Drum and Bass music.
Notable historical names from the genre are Fabio, Grooverider, London Elektricity, Friction, Sub Focus, DJ Hype, Andy C, DJ Fresh, Pendulum, Chase & Status, Shy FX, Noisia, Golide, DJ SS, etc.
Names from the new wave of drum & bass artists who are writing and performing across the globe now are Subfocus, Goddard, Venbee, Vibe Chemistry, Bou, Turno, Skepsis, Luude, Charlotte Plank, Flava D, Koven, Dimension and many, many more.
Made up of electronic breakbeats with prominent bass, sub-bass, samples and synthesisers, and usually played at around 160-180 bpm, D&B has evolved a lot in its life so far and given birth to many subgenres and cultures.
If you’ve heard D&B, then you’ve heard the Amen break. A famous drumbeat played by a soul group called The Winstons in their song “Amen, Brother”, in the late 60s. The basis of many D&B tracks is a sped up version of this very beat.
In its infancy, DnB was heavily influenced by the reggae and dub sounds that also influenced many other electronic genres such as jungle. Though that parallel is less apparent in modern iterations, the typical ragga style vocal is still often used. See ‘No Problem’ by Chase & Status.
Since its inception, D&B has made way for sub-genres such as liquid, bassline, drumstep, jump up, neurofunk etc. and it’s influence is not slowing down.
Many independent record labels, run by DJs and producers from the scene still thrive, with more labels emerging every year. Along with D&B festivals, events, and a spike in its inclusion in today’s media across library and production music, its reach is only expanding.
Find D&B tracks in the Bspoke library: click here.
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Originally emerging from Chicago in the early 1980’s, house music quickly spread across the globe and has since never left the club scenes of New York, Detroit, London, Paris and beyond.
The house style is informed by the disco / soul era that it was born from and is characterised by infectious four-to-the-floor beats, funky percussion, and emphasis on synthesisers from the 1980s.
Its influence has given birth to countless subgenres like acid house, deep house, tech house, funky house, and has also influenced an evolution in genres like hip hop, pop, garage and drum & bass.
The genre has gone through many transformations and is enjoying a recent spike in popularity, thanks in part to mainstream support.
In the last year in the UK, BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM have both launched 24/7 dance music stations: ‘Radio 1 Dance’ and ‘Capital Dance’. Proof that house is more popular than ever. From the piano led music of Joel Corry, Sigala, David Guetta, MK, Ewan McVicar, Honey Dijon and Oliver Heldens, right through to the deeper and more progressive; Disciples, Camelphat, Bicep, Meduza, Fred again, and Eliza Rose. Even Drake has jumped on the house train this year with his newest album ‘Honestly, Nevermind’.
And music libraries worldwide are filled with all the different kinds of house that you could need: tropical house, funky house, deep house, acid and techno house.
Whether you’re a fan of the funky upbeat sounds, or more partial to the deep, emotive songs, house music is unavoidable and so hot right now.
Find house music in the Bspoke music library: here.
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Music to heal, to help you sleep, concentrate, or meditate. It seems something the world has in common is needing some respite every now and again.
Ambient music, in contrast to the genres mentioned above, does not use a typical structure, tempo, beat or instrument to bind together its family of songs. Instead, the emphasis is on the atmosphere, emotion, or tone that it creates and presents to its listener. Also important is the intention behind the music – mainly to create a sense of calm and serenity.
Acoustic instruments like piano, strings, and woodwind instruments may be played live or recreated with the use of synthesisers.
The genre was popularised by Brian Eno, in the late 1970s, a British musician who also gave the genre its name. Eno is widely accepted as the ‘father of ambient music’, famously stating that it "must be as ignorable as it is interesting".
It’s no wonder that the genre has become so popular as library music for television and radio productions, as well as trailer music and therapy aids. It sets a tone without detracting from the main messaging of a production.
Check out Ambient 1: Music for Airports .
A precursor to Eno’s popularisation of ambient music came from French artist Erik Satie, who made early experimentations with this style, influencing future generations with what he called ‘furniture music’, playing on the same concept of artful music that creates a background atmosphere without being intrusive.
Being that ambient music was as much an art exploration as it was a new genre of music, the movement was met with much criticism by people who did not understand either the merit or the point of such a style. Nowadays though, in the streaming society that we live in, it’s clear to see from the statistics that ambient music dominates many music fans playlists and airwaves. Helping people to concentrate, sleep, or as a backdrop for documentaries and radio shows.
Listen to ambient music in the Bspoke Music library: here.
If you’re looking to soundtrack your campaign, make sure you understand and support the trends and cultures you’re moving in.
We make it easier for you to find and use the most appropriate sounds for your project, in just a few simple steps. So check out our library of ready to license production music today and get in touch for more information.