Before beginning this assignment, I believe it is important to preface this research with a short word about genre study. Despite the influence and the ability that the term 'genre' has to organise and coordinate similar things, in all it is just a word with incredibly vague boundaries. To say that a particular song fits within a certain genre is merely to say that particular characteristics are evident within the song that are similar and in-common with another type of song. For example, if the comment was made to describe a song as fitting within the Disco Genre, it simply means that the song in question displays characteristics that are similar to other songs that have previously been categorised into a particular genre. Other genres beyond disco include rock, hip hop, R n B and dance to name but a few.
Within this realm of genre classification however it is impossible to consider that all pieces of music could possibly be categorised simply. To help and fix this problem, there are an endless number of sub-genres that exist. These ensure that the large genres such as dance can be broken up to allow different styles of dance music to be appropriately categorised. For example, within the dance music genre, there may be several sub-genres such as electro, fidget, dub-step etc. If these sub-genres can gain enough popularity it is likely they can grow to form their own unique genre which in itself can spawn sub genres. In all this discussion however it is important to keep in mind that genre is just a word used to help categorise and organise similar things into categories and it is no way binding. If a genre is not defined by the artist themselves, then it is more than likely categorised by a record store clerk, or a blogger attempting to appear knowledgeable.
Amongst all this talk of genre where does ‘Nu Disco’ lay you ask???
It is not difficult to believe that it does have a strong connection to the immensely popular 1970s and 80s genre known as disco, but within the name itself lays a key to demonstrate that it is in fact not a sub genre, but rather an independent revolution quite different in style and ideals despite its heavy influence. But as much as that may sound like a similar excuse used by the likes of Oasis to defend their Beatles roots, the term ‘nu’ in front of the word disco creates a distinguishing difference far greater than its two letters of difference.
The term ‘Nu’ in this sense is used to mean ‘revamped’, ‘revitalised’, ‘out of left field’, ‘same but different’. While the bass funk, uplifting slightly cheesy hooks and lyrics remain, ‘nu disco’ has ben re-rubbed and is spicy compared to its much older, slightly funky uncle. And while the two can interact and bust a move together on the same dance floor, the differences as well as the new found popularity are enough to have earned the term nu-disco the title of a new musical genre as according to prominent online music stores such as beat port and itunes.
For your enjoyment, here is one of the first tracks that ever turned me onto a smoother style of dance music, by an American Group known as Treasure Fingers, who have gained immense popularity for helping to pioneer to revitalisation of nu-disco worldwide.
