How to make memorable music: from imitation to innovation
- Dec 9, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Why so much music sounds the same, and how to break the cycle.
There is too much forgettable music out there. Tens of thousands of electronic tracks are released every day. But think about it, how often do you hear something that feels truly innovative, impactful, and memorable?
Your answer might depend on the genre of electronic music you’re into. However, if you’re into club-oriented techno, chances are most of the music you come across feels formulaic, overly familiar, and, well … plain.
When I first started making music and shaping my sound as an artist, I went through a stage many of us can relate to. I imitated my favourite artists, followed fleeting trends, and made music with the naive hope that as many people as possible would like it.
That’s a natural stage of development. Before we find our unique artistic voice, our sound, we often rely on imitation and external influences. It’s part of the process. Through imitation, we begin to understand who we are as artists and how to express ourselves through sound.
The problem comes when we get stuck in that stage. When we keep making music for others, chasing trends, or succumbing to external pressures, our creativity gets stifled.
It might sound something like this:
"Doing X is popular right now, so I’ll do that too."
"I make X genre, so I have to include X and Y."
"I don’t want to take any risks in case people don’t like it."
At first glance, these thoughts seem practical. They might even feel like the “right” thing to do in the short term. But in reality, following these ideas leads to forgettable music. It makes your tracks sound exactly like everyone else’s.
The truth is, the only way to make something truly exceptional is, by definition, to be an exception. To create music that’s memorable, timeless, and unique, you need to step outside of self-imposed limitations and the safety of mimicry.
Take my own experience as an example. One of my demos was rejected by 30 labels. Why? Because it didn’t sound like anything else they’d heard. But the very same reason that the demo was rejected by those labels was also the reason it was eventually signed to one of my dream labels, Clergy. It stood out. It didn't sound like all the same-sounding music landing in Clergy's inbox.
If your music sounds like everyone else’s, you’ll get the same results as everyone else. Think about your favourite artist. I’m willing to bet they’re your favourite because they are an exception. They create music that sounds like no one else. They own who they are, and their music is an expression of their soul.
If you’re going to mimic anything, mimic your favourite artists’ originality. Mimic their courage to make music that no one else is making.
Make music that’s honest, deeply personal, and uniquely yours. Music that feels like an extension of your identity, crafted without compromise. That’s the kind of music that leaves an impact. It’s the kind of music listeners keep coming back to and crave more of.
The path to creating exceptional music isn’t about following trends or playing it safe. It’s about embracing who you are and expressing that without fear.
The way out of the trap of forgettable music lies in a simple but powerful idea: make music for yourself first.
Forget about what’s trending or what you think people want to hear. Focus on what truly excites and inspires you, what feels meaningful to you as a person. The more your music reflects your unique perspective, the more it will stand out in a sea of sameness.
Here’s how you can do that, step by step:
1. Make music for yourself first
This is the most important shift you can make. Stop worrying about whether people will like your music or if it fits neatly into a specific box.
Ask yourself instead: Do I like this? Your passion and enthusiasm for your own music will come through in the sound.
When you let go of external expectations, the creative process will feel more fulfilling. And ironically, the more you make music that feels authentic to you, the more likely it is to resonate with others.
How to do it:
Start a track with no goal in mind other than having fun. Follow what feels exciting and interesting in the moment.
Reflect on the kind of music you’d want to listen to but haven’t heard yet, then make that.
Think about the artists who inspire you most. They didn’t become memorable by chasing trends, they became memorable by becoming an expert at doing their own thing. Work toward that in your own path.
2. Explore what inspires you in life
Your music is an extension of who you are. The things that make you unique as a person, your experiences, your interests, the way you see the world, are all fuel for your creativity. They're what feeds into your unique musical voice. The more you intentionally draw from these sources, the more your music will stand out.
How to do it:
Think about what fascinates or moves you outside of music. Are you inspired by certain art forms, films, or books? Do you have a deep connection to nature, philosophy, or something else entirely? Bring those influences into your music.
Journal about your experiences in life and how it might translate to sound. For example, if you're currently going through life changes or a certain mood, how can you use sound to express it?
3. Identify what you love about music
Understanding your personal taste in music is what shapes your sound. What specific elements of music grab your attention and make you feel something? Is it hypnotic mind-bending synths, commanding rhythms, or unexpected moments of chaos? By identifying these qualities, you can lean into them in your own music.
How to do it:
Listen critically to your favourite tracks and write down exactly what you love about them. Is it the texture of a certain sound, the tension in the arrangement, or the way the track evolves? Use these observations as a guide, but don’t just copy, figure out how to reinterpret those elements in your own way.
4. Embrace risk-taking
Great music doesn’t come from playing it safe. It comes from taking risks, trying new ideas, breaking the rules, and being okay with failing sometimes. Risk-taking can feel uncomfortable, but that discomfort is often where the unforgettable magic happens.
How to do it:
Give yourself permission to make bad music. Not every experiment will work, and that’s okay. The point is to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and learn from it.
Set playful challenges or creative constraints that force you to think differently, like making a track with only three sounds or using a piece of gear you’ve never touched before.
5. Embrace experimentation
Experimentation is where your creativity truly gets to shine. It’s about exploring the unknown and seeing where it takes you. Some of your experiments might be chaotic or strange, but within that chaos, you’ll find moments of pure originality that cannot be replicated.
How to do it:
Dedicate time in your sessions to pure play. Instead of aiming for a finished track, explore new techniques and ideas without any pressure.
Combine things that shouldn’t work together, like layering a lush pad with a distorted kick or pitching vocals into a totally new sound.
The truth is, making music that stands out means making music that only you can make. By creating for yourself first, exploring what inspires you, leaning into your taste, and embracing risk and experimentation, you’ll craft music that’s memorable and unmistakably yours.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s expression. Let your music be messy, bold, and honest. That’s how you create something that leaves a lasting impact.
Now, I hope you consider some of these next time you sit down in front of your laptop to make music.
Big love
Eryk Kabay
Ready to improve faster? Whether you’re feeling stuck or looking for that final professional polish, I’m here to help you cut through the confusion and make your tracks shine. Let’s get your music sounding its absolute best and ready to be released into the world.
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