Euphoric Hardstyle
Melodic, uplifting hardstyle with big supersaw leads and emotional breakdowns.
History
Euphoric hardstyle is the melodic, uplifting side of hardstyle s1. It focuses on emotional melodies and big synthesizer leads s1. The main lead sound is the supersaw, a bright, wide waveform made from several saw waves s2. Tracks often build through a quiet breakdown and then return with a large, anthemic drop s1. DJs such as Headhunterz made the sound cleaner and more melodic in the 2010s s2. Other acts include Brennan Heart, Wildstylez, B-Front and Da Tweekaz s1. The style is made for large festivals and for singing crowds s3. Many euphoric tracks have a vocal line or a memorable hook s3. The mood is happy or emotional rather than dark s1. It is the well-known form of hardstyle outside the Netherlands s3. The style became the public face of hardstyle at large festivals s1. It also influenced parts of big room house s2. Many producers also make the harder, raw form of the style s3.
Sound
- Big, emotional supersaw leads
- A bright, happy mood
- Long melodic breakdowns
- Sung or sampled vocals
- A punchy hardstyle kick
Key figures
- Headhunterz — Producer who led the cleaner, more melodic sound
- Brennan Heart — Dutch producer of euphoric hardstyle
- Wildstylez — Dutch producer of melodic hardstyle
- Da Tweekaz — Belgian duo known for melodic hardstyle
Labels
- Scantraxx — Beek en Donk , 2002
- I AM HARDSTYLE — Netherlands , 2010
- Dirty Workz — Belgium , 2007
Defining tracks
Connections
Came from: Hardstyle
Sources
- The hitchhiker's guide to Hard Dance Music — Firebird Magazine
- Exploring Hardstyle: A Cornerstone of Dutch Dance Culture — Splice
- Hardstyle — Wikipedia