Note the double entendre, it’s double intended. Let this be EDM’s motto in 2015. The brain-stabbing happy hardcore synths betwixt blazing trance-diva vocals and drops that would induce heart trauma in anyone over 40 are not cool. The production severely lacks anything resembling musical quality and is instead a sonic circus. Musically, EDM needs to learn to rein it in: Let it slam against their ear drums, not make them bleed.

As a culture, EDM is addicted to misbehaving, not rebelling. It’s less Jonny Rotten and more Justin Bieber. From stage diving antics, to corny cutouts of DJs heads at festivals to endless accusations of performers simply hitting the play button, there’s more to gawk at in EDM than to celebrate. Slowing down and being more thoughtful could bring the focus back to music quality, and the culture—always a result of the product—could begin to repair. On the more literal side of roll-slowing: I don’t care if you’re 6'5 and 300 lbs, you don’t need more. Give. It. A. Minute.

2. Learn your roots

Frankie Knuckles

This is usually an intrinsic human desire, but an alarming number of fans have never thought to explore the music’s roots, an irony considering the increased accessibility of music and information since vinyl’s heyday. For example, house music (Translation: of the ‘Deep,’ not ‘Swedish Mafia’ variety) lost its greatest legend in Frankie Knuckles last March. The man was so revered he got a street and mural dedicated in his name in Chicago after his death. As Frankie and initial purveyors of house music were so inspired by 70s disco, EDM too can take inspiration from the road they paved and bring that into not only the production but into the vibe of the ‘scene.’ This is probably the dance music O.G.’s biggest pet peeve aside from the wide-open drops and ear-curdling snyths: EDM doesn’t seem to know or care about how it got here.

3. Take the popularity in stride