What gives a song it's "raw" energy?

[Gurnumsbug]

Just curious because I can't for the life of me figure it out...
People love to dance, people love to just go crazy, but why? what makes them feel this way?

(random question since I just went browsing youtube & found many videos of some "shows" aka "raves" )

[kundara]

Groove depended on sounds (synthesis, style, drumset) depends on mix (well balanced) depends on you.
Thats what gives it it's energy.

Rawness - good synthesis, depends on good distortion and FX depends on good mix
but mostly - the groove. Rhythm (drums, baseline and rhythm section) and all the arrangement. scale and notations also helps the groove.

[Anne Droid]

there are some cool reads on how different scales/chords activate different parts of the psyche/feelings/emotions

[blinx]

Nothing gives a song its raw power, only the poeple reacting to a song gives it any amount of power. Justin bieber gets girls crying, Moron Five will make people dance harder then some dubstep crowds dance but that doesnt mean the Pop music has more power than a dubstep banger. Perception mang all in the perception. Plus if your watching "raves" it should be very obvious what is giving the scene that RAW power as you described lol look at the kids pupils lol 0.0 they ready to rage lol.

Granted this doesnt mean you can find techniques to create "energetic" sounding anthems but i really feel like its all in the eyes of the beholder. Think about what makes you get up and go... its not the same thing that will make someone else get up and go, thus there is no "power" in those elements alone... until you give them the power to move you emotionally.

Just my two cents, there are science behind freqs, scales, notes and techniques to help portray that "power" doesnt mean the audience will recieve your message even if you use these techniques.

Just like there is sciene that says your BO makes the ladies hot, but go ask the ladies if they like your BO and i bet theyll say NOOOOO!!!!!

[daeMTHAFKNkim]

I don't know but trance/techno/old school dubstep= chill/relaxed/ambient feeling/slow dancing
Brostep/electrohouse/complextro= fucking rage/jump/move your hands to the wobbles/scream

From what I've noticed at concerts/festivals. And It's awesome. Oh yeah Ecstasy is a big part.

[Atac]

I think a lot of it depends on composition itself.

I hear tunes that aren't very complex in many aspects but just hit so hard!

[B-Frank]

It totally depends on the song itself. There is certainly no formula. Different songs have different characteristics, therefore when producing you need to try and establish what gives your track its energy and work with that.

[atticuh]

From a production perspective, RMS levels as well as perceived loudness play a HUGE part in conveying energy.

From a composition perspective, quick percussion as well a melody which resolves around the breakdown (or wherever the climax of the song is). A lot of people tend to overlook the melody and how important it is in building/decreasing energy throughout various points in your tune.

Now if you want to focus on dance-ability, an easy to follow rhythm is also required.

[leeany]

call & response. look that up