What is Melodic House? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Melodic House, Progressive House, Deep House… House genres can be confusing 😅

The truth is, that people love to create new subgenres of music, especially in dance music.

However, there isn’t that much that separates these genres of House music. Moreover, artists often blend elements from different genres or switch between subgenres from one track to the next. This can make it confusing to identify what exactly is Melodic House.

But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Melodic House, how it’s constructed, as well as some artists to check out. Let’s get started.

What is Melodic House: the TL;DR

Don’t want to waste time reading a full, lengthy guide? No problem – here’s a quick rundown of what makes Melodic House… Melodic House 😅

Unsurprisingly, Melodic House is a subgenre of House that focuses on melodies.

The genre blends danceable beats with emotional melodies, harmonies, and atmospheres. Take a look at these two tracks:

This track would generally be considered as Tech House. You can hear a clear emphasis on the vocal hook, as well as building the tension before the big drop.

Contrast this to “Martin” by Ben Böhmer, the opening track to his 2024 album Bloom:

Although still House music, it feels like a completely different genre. There is no poppy hook like in the previous track. There isn’t a massive buildup before the drop. Instead, there are multiple layers of piano melodies and atmospheres. A gentle kick drum serves as the foundation with some discreet percussion.

That is Melodic House in a nutshell: understated, dreamy, introspective, and elegant.

However, we’re still grounded in House music. The kick drum is one every beat with a clap or snare usually placed on the 2s and 4s.

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A Brief History of Melodic House

So, when did Melodic House emerge? As with most House subgenres, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact date.

However, it seems like the genre started to take form in the late 90s and early 00s.

Xpander by Sasha is a great example of early Melodic House:

The Trance music influences here are still very clear – but so is the blend with House elements.

Another great example is Rej by Âme, released in 2005:

Although this track also blends elements of Progressive House, it’s a showcase of the genre’s minimalistic approach.

Key Features of Melodic House

Now that we’ve laid the foundations, let’s look a bit closer at the key elements of a Melodic House track. We’ll use the classic track The Way Back by Solomun as an example:

Drums and Percussion

The drums are smooth and understated. They are certainly not the focus of the track like in Hard Techno or even Hardstyle.

Instead, the drums simply act as a support for the rest of the track.

The kick drum in particular is soft, with much of the high-end filtered out. Similarly, the clap is also placed in the background. Some subtle shakers and hats complement the beat.

Instead of constantly adding new elements, the track simply removes the hats and claps to create contrast, such as in the section at 2:07.

Basslines

Basslines in Melodic House are generally minimal yet deep. The focus is on warmth and groove, with sidechain compression frequently employed to create that “breathing” effect. The bass serves the overall vibe rather than dominating the track.

As a rule of thumb, a Melodic House bassline should not be immediately noticeable. Instead, you should feel it rather than be able to pick out individual notes.

Listen back to the intro of The Way Back where just the kick, bass, and a synth are playing. Although the bass is playing, you can clearly pick out the melody.

Synths and Melody

Synths are central to Melodic House, and this is where the track truly shines.

In The Way Back, most of the melodies are played on a synth reminiscent of the Rhodes piano.

Pianos and piano plugins are often used to create those soft and dreamy melodies. Multiple melody lines will play at the same time, creating layers that evolve throughout the track. Analog synths and their digital counterparts are widely used for their organic, rich sound. Melodies lean towards emotive, often minor scales, with arpeggios and pads filling out the frequency spectrum.

Vocals

Most Melodic House tracks are instrumental. However, when vocals are present, they tend to be subtle.

Here’s a great example in the track The Choice by Lane 8, from his latest album:

This track is a great example of Melodic House vocals. They blend in smoothly into the track, to the point where they almost feel like just another instrument. Delay is also used throughout the drop to make the vocals an integral part of the instrumentation.

The theme is also deeply introspective, something characteristic of Melodic House tracks:

“What used to feel important
Doesn’t feel so special anymore
I’ve been taking my time
Trying to figure out where I went wrong

Late nights just thinking of home
Four walls that I don’t even know
And I’m left aching for something I thought I chose.”

This is where the strength of Melodic House really lies: stirring emotions while keeping a danceable vibe. This is why Melodic House works so well in both club and home listening.

Essential Melodic House Artists

Now that we’ve covered what Melodic House is, here are some artists you can check out to dive deeper into the genre.

Ben Böhmer

Ben Böhmer is an all-time favorite of mine. He has become one of the most well-regarded artists within the genre, with his latest album “Bloom” (released 27th September 2024) being nothing short of a masterpiece.

Each of his tracks is deeply emotional, feeling familiar yet new at the same time. The soundscapes are constantly evolving while never being abrupt. His use of analog gear also adds an authentic layer to his tracks. A must-listen if you’re just discovering Melodic House.

Âme

This duo has carved out their niche by merging house, ambient, and techno elements. Their tracks often veer more toward the Progressive House scene, while retaining a strong melodic aspect.

Their latest single, Asa, is a beautifully crafted track filled with strong melodies and nostalgic sound design elements.

Solomun

One of the most in-demand DJs at the moment, Solomun blurs the line between Melodic House and Melodic Techno. It’s especially during his long, progressive DJ sets that he tends more toward Techno.

For some reason, his tracks have always felt deeply cinematic to me. His style combines emotional intensity with dancefloor energy. Some of his stand-out tracks include Home, The Way Back, and Wadim (a lesser-known track that showcases his blend of genres).

Yotto

Yotto is definitely on the more Dance side of Melodic House. While still bringing strong melodies, his tracks and remixes often bridge over to Progressive House and even straight-up House. His album Growth, released in 2023, is a perfect summary of his different styles.

Check out Just Over, my favorite track of his:

Lane 8

At the crossroads of Melodic and Progressive House, Lane 8 is a personal favorite of mine. His tracks are always filled with emotive melodies and smooth beats. His 2024 album, Childish, is an amazing encapsulation of his progressive, yet melodic approach to House music.

That’s a Wrap for this Guide on Melodic House!

That’s it for this guide on Melodic House! Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of this genre, and what sets it apart from other subgenres of House music.

Want to learn how to make Melodic House yourself? Or any other genre for that matter? Check out our free video training to get started on your production journey: