Chillout vs Downtempo
By Alan More
Chillout is less a strict genre than a relaxed mood, named after the chill-out rooms of clubs.[1][3] Downtempo is a broad label for slower, atmospheric electronic music.[5][6]
| Chillout | Downtempo | |
|---|---|---|
| What it names | A mood more than a strict genre, named after the chill-out rooms of clubs.[1][3] | A broad label for slower, atmospheric electronic music.[5][6] |
| Tempo | No fixed tempo; it stays unhurried.[1][3] | Slower than club dance music.[5][6] |
| Where you hear it | Club chill-out rooms, and the sunset sessions of Café del Mar in Ibiza.[1][2][4] |
Sources
- [1] Slate: The musical genre that will save the world (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [2] Sound On Sound: Classic Tracks: The Orb, Little Fluffy Clouds (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [3] Wikipedia: Chill-out music (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [4] Café del Mar: official site (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [5] Wikipedia: Downtempo (accessed 2026-10-27)
- [6] Beatportal: Beatport Creates Standalone Genre Page for Downtempo (accessed 2026-10-27)
Frequently asked questions
Is chillout the same as downtempo?
They overlap heavily. Beatport files chillout under its downtempo genre, and the two are often treated as different takes on the same relaxed sound. Chillout leans toward a mood, downtempo toward a broad style label.
Where does the word chillout come from?
From club chill-out rooms. One early example was the White Room at London's Heaven club in 1989, a quieter space away from the main floor.
What is Café del Mar?
A bar in Ibiza whose sunset music sessions helped launch the chillout movement.