Chloe Nelson

The Best Soft Rock Artists to Know

None of them were trying to be quiet, and none of them were interchangeable. Here's who actually built this sound, and what each one brought to it.

Official Album Chart Update: What You Need to Know

Wondering what those midweek numbers actually mean? Here's how a chart update is compiled, how to read the New, LW and Peak columns, and why Friday's result can still flip everything.

A Beginner's Guide to Cloud Rap

A complete guide to cloud rap: its hazy atmospheric sound, origins in early 2010s internet rap, production characteristics, lyrical themes and lasting influence.

The Best Highlife Songs Right Now

Forget the charts — these are the highlife songs that have earned decades of staying power at parties, weddings and radio stations.

The History of Techno Music

How techno music travelled from a struggling Detroit suburb to Berlin's biggest clubs, told through the people and labels who actually built it.

The History of Dance Pop

The Best Metal Music Songs Right Now

The History of Gangsta Rap

The real timeline, region by region: Philadelphia's 1985 breakthrough, N.W.A's national leap, and the G-funk era that followed.

Gear: What You Need to Know

Music gear captures, shapes and amplifies sound — but what actually matters, and when do you really need to upgrade? Here's the straight answer.

The Ultimate Guide to Asm Hydrasynth Synthesizer

ASM Hydrasynth synthesizers combine sophisticated synthesis algorithms with intuitive interfaces, delivering professional-grade sound design capabilities appealing to electronic musicians and sound de...

Behringer Synthesizer: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Forget which vintage legend it resembles. Here is the real checklist for buying a Behringer synthesizer — voices, connectivity, build quality and firmware.

Alternative Rock Subgenres, Explained

Alternative rock is really a cluster of distinct sounds. Here's each branch broken down, from grunge to shoegaze to art rock.

Korg Synthesizer for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Most beginners spend too long browsing presets and not enough time understanding how the instrument works. This guide gives you the right starting point.

The Best Synth Pop Songs Right Now

The synth-pop songs that still get sampled and quoted decades on — and the specific production trick that makes each hook actually work.

Behringer Synthesizer for Beginners: A Complete Guide

That wall of knobs looks intimidating, but a Behringer synthesizer is far friendlier to learn on than it looks. Here is the gentle way to start.

The History of Merengue

From a 1850s Cibao dance hall to Elvis Crespo on international radio: the real story of how merengue became the Dominican Republic's defining export.

Ableton Push 3 for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Push 3 can feel overwhelming at first — this guide cuts through the complexity and gets you making music in your very first session.

Fl Studio: A Complete Buyer's Guide

FL Studio comes in four editions. Here's which one to buy based on your production needs and budget.

The Best Pop Music Songs Right Now

Charts reset weekly; genuinely great pop songs don't. Here are the tracks that actually defined what a great pop single sounds like.

Slipmats Explained: Features, Types and Tips

The thin felt disc between the record and platter is more important than it looks. Here's everything about slipmats and how to use them properly.

Everything You Need to Know About Sektor Wavetable Synthesizer

Wavetable synthesis creates dynamic, evolving timbres by morphing between complex waveforms. Learn techniques, find the best synthesisers, and develop your sound design voice.

Reason Explained: Features, Types and Tips

A hardware-inspired rack interface, thousands of built-in sounds and a modular routing system — this overview explains what the software does and who it suits.

Essential The Black Pearl Soundtrack Albums Explained

The Black Pearl score has been released in multiple formats. Here is a guide to what each release contains and which to buy.

Modular Synth Modules for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Patching looks like magic until someone shows you the trick. Here's a calm, jargon-free start with modular synth modules.