Electronic dance music (EDM) continues to prove its emotional power, especially for Americans dealing with mental health issues.
According to a new study from healthcare technology company Tebra, a significant portion of listeners turn to EDM for mental health support.
In the study, researchers surveyed 1,000 Americans and analyzed over 110,000 tracks from Spotify playlists focused on mental health.
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They discovered that 14% of participants chose EDM as their go-to genre when battling feelings of depression.
Released during Mental Health Awareness Month, the findings expand on Tebra’s previous 2024 research and highlight EDM’s rising role in the music therapy movement.
Fans often describe EDM as more than music—it’s an experience.
With heart-pounding builds, euphoric drops, and hypnotic rhythms, the genre has a unique way of lifting spirits and providing escape.
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Tracks they like to listen are:
- Avicii’s “Wake Me Up,”
- Calvin Harris’ “Feel So Close,”
- Daft Punk’s “Lose Yourself to Dance”
Notably, these three artists emerged as the most-streamed in the electronic category among those seeking emotional support through music.
Metal fans were the most likely to use music as therapy (59%). However, they also reported the highest levels of poor mental health (47%). In contrast, EDM listeners seemed to gravitate toward hope and emotional release rather than catharsis alone.
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The study also revealed a powerful insight: 92% of all respondents said that music had helped them through difficult times.
The respondents stated that anxiety (55%), loneliness (52%), and depression (47%) as their struggles.
Interestingly, over half of the participants said they relied on music instead of traditional therapy.
Another 57% believed music had an equally powerful impact.
Do you have your go-to song when you feeling down?