When it comes to electronic music and noise, my favourite kind is trance. In the interests of broadening my palette, I decided to check out the Break Yo Self 3 event at NAF Studios. The music wasn't the most dance-able kind, but it definitely was interesting and thought-provoking.
Unlike trance, where the music seems to be penetrating a distant horizon, providing an expanding view-like feel to the ears, the music I heard (characterised generally as speed garage) is very focused in a singular direction, like drilling a hole with all the force you can muster. The music was very intense in its depth and there was a wave of noise, like a monster, enveloping me, complemented by some amazing lasers.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that both kinds of music can be thinking music, and I spent most of my time trying to dissect the different elements layered within. Fortunately, the DJs I heard were very good, and did enough stuff to keep my mind occupied.
Which leads me to the conclusion that what matters (to me at least) when listening to any music is really the underlying use of sounds. The more layers that exist, and the more innovative the arrangement of these layers, the more interesting it gets. Thus watered-down versions of these musics that appear in the mainstream (as with any other genre) are as good as cafeteria food or burgers from a franchise. If you want undiluted spiciness (or sweetness), it's easily available to you at shows like this one.