14% Say EDM is Their "Go-To Genre" When Feeling Depressed, Study Suggests

Electronic dance music is emerging as a lifeline for Americans battling depression, suggests a new study shared with EDM.com by healthcare technology company Tebra.

The research, which surveyed 1,000 Americans and analyzed over 110,000 tracks from mental health-themed Spotify playlists, found that 14% of respondents turn to EDM as their "go-to genre" when feeling depressed. Arriving during Mental Health Awareness Month, the data expands on a similar study in late-2024, further positioning the genre as a noteworthy player in the budding music therapy market.

Those who listen to electronic music know that its magic lies in its ability to uplift. The edge-of-your-seat builds, euphoric drops and deep valleys can feel like a hug from a crowd you’ve never met. Think of Avicii’s "Wake Me Up," Calvin Harris' "Feel So Close" or Daft Punk’s "Lose Yourself to Dance," all of which speak to the genre's accessible, escapist nature.

Those three artists were the most sought-after in the electronic music category. Metal fans leaned hardest into music as therapy (59%) but reported worse mental health (47%), framing EDM as a compelling contrast by offering a respite that’s less about purging pain and more about chasing light.

Elsewhere in the study, an overwhelming 92% of respondents said music has "helped them through tough times," especially anxiety (55%), loneliness (52%) and depression (47%). Just over half said they turned to music instead of "traditional therapy" while 57% believed it was just as impactful.

You can read Tebra's full report here.