Codes and

Conventions of
Electronic Dance
Music
By
Chloe Challenger & Chloe Walsh

Genre of Closer by The Chainsmokers

Ft Halsey

The genre of Closer is Electronic Dance Music, AKA EDM. Electronic

Dance Music is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres
produced largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. This genre
originated in Chicago in the early 80s. At the start of this new craze,
this genre was generally dance based music, which was then
characterised by repetitive 4/4 beats and the rhythms were mainly
provided by drum machines, off beat hi-hat cymbals and
synthesized baselines. Now this genre has developed but has still
kept several of these core elements. This has been expressed into
fusion sub genres, the likes of euro house, tech house and electro
house.
Other
existing
examples of
EDM genre
songs

Camera Shots
A conventional camera shot for this genre is fast cut shots
in time and beat of the music which contains the
audiences focus and prevents boredom.
Also, High angle establishing shots is another conventional
shot to set the scene of the music video and it also
signifies the theme of the music video.
Close-up shots are also used to signify emotion through
clear display of facial expressions and to also connect the
artist to the audience.
There are also Jib shots, tracking shots, dolly shots and also
a conventional long shot of the artist and the dancers.
Two shots are also used if there is more than once artist to
display their relationship between the two and it conveys
the message of the lyrics of the song.

Mise-en-Scene
The music videos for EDM music videos conventionally convey a message of love, dancing, love,
sexuality, and drugs which are reinforced with repetitive arrangements and a steady bass drum beat.
Another code and convention of an EDM music video is that they tend to include women who are
sexually objectified which coincides with Malveys theory. This is portrayed by seductive dance moves
and also through the use of close up shots just capturing the eyes or lips of a woman's face. The
female protagonist also wears quite natural but strong eye makeup which represents Naomi Wolfs
theory, The Beauty Myth.
Leading on from this, they portray women in a highly sexualised clothing that expose their bodies
and coincide with Mulveys Male Gaze. The women in the clubs for example are seen to be wearing
minimal clothing which is provocative.
The male protagonist are generally wearing smart/casual attire with a unique, individual look
sentiment.

Editing
Editing is also used in the video to create a futuristic city by using special effects.
Drones and futuristic technology such as holograms are displayed in the video
which supports the narrative. This conforms to the codes and conventions of EDM
as it is unusual and abstract.
Typical editing techniques such as quick clean cuts are used to enable the
audience to view different angles. This works in favour of the narrative as it makes
it as clear to the audience as possible which leads to accompanying the lyrics and
visuals. This gives the audience a sense of euphoria and a utopian lifestyle which
coincides with Andrew Goodwins theory.
Slow motion editing is used to contrast with the fast editing cuts which is useful
however this is sometimes not very useful in some cases as it stretches the time
too long but at the same time, submerses the audience into the dance
environment.