What is trance music?

Trance is a style of electronic dance music that emerged in early-1990s Germany. It shares techno's steady pulse but puts melodies, synth pads and long build-ups front and center. It later split into goa trance, psytrance, progressive trance and uplifting trance.

What is the difference between trance and techno?

Techno focuses on rhythm, repetition and texture, with little melody. Trance keeps a similar beat but builds tracks around melodic lines and dramatic build-ups. Tempos overlap, but trance aims for emotional peaks and big instrumental hooks, while techno tends to stay hypnotic and stripped down.

Why are most trance classics on 12-inch singles?

Because trance was DJ music first. In the 1990s, tracks were released as 12-inch singles with multiple remixes for clubs. Albums came later and, in the 2000s, often appeared on CD first. That is why original 12-inches remain the backbone of a trance record collection.

Psytrance, short for psychedelic trance, grew out of goa trance, which was born at parties in Goa, India. It is faster than melodic trance, built on rolling basslines and psychedelic sound design. It remains closely tied to outdoor festivals and a network of independent labels.

Trance

Dive into Trance, an electronic genre with fast rhythms, soaring melodies, and irresistible builds. Designed to draw the listener into a state of musical euphoria, it shines with its energy and captivating progressions.

Perfect for extending or reliving the ambiance of special (or spatial) evenings or embarking on solo sonic journeys.

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Anjunabeats Volume 17 (2xLP Vinyl Sampler)

Above & Beyond

Trance Vinyl Records: Classic 12-Inches, Albums and Key Labels

Trance on vinyl: from club 12-inches to albums

Trance vinyl records started as 12-inch singles. The genre took shape in early-1990s Germany, around Frankfurt, where Sven Väth co-founded the Eye Q and Harthouse labels. Trance kept techno's steady beat but added melodies, lush synth pads and long build-ups that lift a dance floor. DJs played these tracks on turntables, so the genre produced far more 12-inches than albums. This page brings together singles, albums and reissues, with offers from several partner stores to compare.

Original 12-inch, repress or album: what should you buy?

Most trance classics circulated as 12-inch singles, often with several remixes of the same track. Before buying, check which version is actually on the record, since the original mix is not on every edition. In the 2000s, many trance albums came out on CD first, with scarcer vinyl editions, and some are now returning as reissues. On used copies, a club DJ's record may have seen heavy play, so the condition of the vinyl matters more than the often plain sleeve.

Track version: original mix, remix or radio edit
Period pressing or recent repress
Surface condition for club-played copies
Speed: many 12-inches play at 45 RPM

Essential trance artists, tracks and labels

Paul van Dyk's "For an Angel" and Energy 52's "Café Del Mar" are among the anthems collectors look for on 12-inch. In the Netherlands, Tiësto and Armin van Buuren turned trance into a festival-sized phenomenon; Armin van Buuren co-founded Armada Music and hosts the radio show A State of Trance. In the UK, Above & Beyond, featured in the catalog, run the Anjunabeats label, a reference for melodic and progressive trance.

Goa, psytrance and progressive: styles to explore

Trance branched out quickly. Goa trance, born at parties in the Indian state of Goa, led to psytrance, which is faster, more psychedelic and still thriving on the festival circuit. Progressive trance favors slow-building arrangements and more restrained tempos, while uplifting trance goes for big melodic peaks. To keep up with new releases, follow labels rather than individual artists, and compare prices on the