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I’ve spent a lot of time looking in to this style. One thing that stands out to me is the underlying percussion and groove loops. Interesting sounds (often from filter modulation) and lots of syncopation seems to be the order of the day for building up that layered sound. Similarly, lots of ear candy courtesy of hits drenched in reverb and delay for creating an atmosphere. I also remember reading this in an interview with Holden a few years ago:

JAMES HOLDEN

Well, they’re just following the rules of how to make a good-sounding piece of music. I guess, you’ve all heard a lot of people telling you what you can and can’t do in a mixdown. I’ve read so much rubbish on the internet, people’s opinions of how to mix music, and what’s correct.

GERD JANSON

For instance?

JAMES HOLDEN

Just things about the right frequency balance, how compressors should be used, never put a compressor on the master when you’re working. For years, the first thing I’d do when I turned my computer on was put three compressors and a limiter on the master. Then you put a kickdrum 20db too loud and it squashes everything and that’s a really exciting part of the music. You make the resonance much too hard on the synth or a bass part and it’s squashing everything else. When you’re at a live gig, and the sound is too much when the band go too crazy, that’s part of the experience, when it’s squashed through the speakers, through your ears, your perception, to make these “too much” moments, I think is really important.

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