There are no hard-and-fast rules to define melodic bass, but you know it when you hear it: No other genre can boast quite the same blend of forceful sonics and dreamy atmospheres, with side-chained walls of low-end wreathed in sweet, airy toplines. The style has its roots in the melodic end of 2010s dubstep, particularly artists like ILLENIUM, SLANDER and Seven Lions, who dedicated as much attention to moody expression as they did hard-hitting drops. In the 2020s, the style has continued to evolve, expanding to encompass all manner of rhythmic signatures within its midtempo range. Whether brooding, melancholy or uplifting, the only requirement is that it convey as much emotion as waveforms can carry. This playlist is updated frequently, so if you hear a track you like, add it to your library.