Try These Genres if You’re Looking for New Music
The beautiful thing about music is that there are thousands of genres, and that’s just scratching the surface. Genres have subgenres, those subgenres have subgenres, and it just keeps going! It is impossible to place a genre on every piece of music that exists, but it’s fun to try—that is how much music exists out there. Here are some new genres to try if you’re looking to expand your musical palette.
Soft Rock
A smoother contrast to its harder counterpart, soft rock appeals to all ages and demographics. It doesn’t have to be boring, either; bands like The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac have uplifting songs that will put you at ease while you complete the tasks on your to-do list. Plus, you can read reviews of these blues rock songs in popular music magazines. Dancing to soft rock songs is optional, but recommended as you allow the lyrics and driving melodies to take you to another place.
Neo-Soul
This genre is a fresh take on traditional soul music, adding electronic elements and contemporary beats to the mix. It’s also quite popular in the world of music personalized gifts. Allow yourself to be serenaded by the sleek sounds of Sade, Erykah Badu, and Solange as you unwind after a long day. Neo-soul also works for study nights where you’ll need to buckle down and focus.
Post-Punk
Fans of punk rock are likely familiar with the post-punk genre which originally took root in the late 1970s UK, fresh off the heels of punk. Post-punk doesn’t carry the high energy of its original genre; instead, it’s the opposite with gloomy atmospheres illustrated in its lyricism and upbeat, but despondent melodies. Some notable examples of post-punk include The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Joy Division. It’s a great genre if you’re feeling down in the dumps and want to shake the blues off.
Acid Jazz
Jazz is such a versatile genre that it makes a great soundtrack for any occasion: parties, nightclubs, study groups, bedtime, and even your morning coffee run. Acid jazz is one of its many subgenres that combines elements of funk, soul, hip-hop, and even disco. Though it is not as popular in the mainstream, there are many independent stations and playlists dedicated to this unique sound. It combines the best of many worlds into one cohesive sound so you won’t need to choose between just one genre.
Stoner Rock
You don’t need to partake in cannabis to enjoy this genre. Stoner rock is best described as a fusion of doom metal and acid rock, with heavily distorted guitars and heavy bass in a typical song. Many stoner rock songs are instrumental and contain no lyrics, so you can turn on a dedicated playlist and just relax to the sounds without needing to engage too much.
Lo-fi
While not in itself a genre, lo-fi music is making new waves in the music world as artists return to the roots of early cassettes and vinyl. A popular manifestation of this is found in lo-fi beats: instrumental hip-hop or jazz beats that sample quotes, songs, and other sounds to create lush and serene soundscapes. There’s a reason many playlists are called “Chill lo-fi hip-hop beats to study and relax to”.
Synthwave
Synthwave is a genre that alludes to the synth-laden sound that dominated the 1980s. The aesthetic of synthwave consists of neon colors with laser lights, retro fonts, and computer icons reminiscent of times past, which is why it’s so popular with nostalgia enthusiasts. One of the best parts of synthwave music is that it’s instrumental in nature, so it’s perfect for study nights and days when you want to remain energized throughout.
Latin Rock
Rock music is vast in scope as the sound itself changes and develops into newer sounds over time. Latin rock is just one genre that combines the best of both worlds with Spanish culture and rock music. Bands such as Soda Stereo are perfect for stepping outside of your normal realm of English lyrics—and even learning Spanish, too.
Music is ever-changing and expanding. One shouldn’t limit themselves to just one genre when there’s truly something for everyone. Why not give these new genres a try?
