Emma Wilson

The Best Groove Metal Artists to Know

From Pantera's founding influence to Lamb of God's 21st-century continuation, these are the essential artists in the groove metal tradition and the records that define them.

The Best Cloud Rap Artists to Know

A guide to the essential cloud rap artists: from Lil B and SpaceGhostPurrp's originating work to Clams Casino's production, Yung Lean's global reach and Bones.

A Beginner's Guide to Breakbeat

The breakbeat is the sound of a drum pattern that doesn't behave itself — and it generated decades of innovation. Here's the essential guide to what it is, where it came from and what it became.

Ebm for Newcomers: Where to Start

Emma cuts the intimidation out of getting into EBM: three tracks to start with tonight, and a fortnight-long plan for what comes next.

Essential Math Rock Albums Explained

Spiderland's tension, American Football's ache, Hella's extremes: these are the records that actually built this genre's reputation.

Essential Garage Music Albums Explained

One genre built albums from day one, one barely bothered, one arrived late to the format — here's what's genuinely essential across all three.

Future House for Newcomers: Where to Start

Skip the theory lecture. The quickest way into future house is through your ears, in a sensible order. Here's exactly where to start.

Essential Reggae Music Albums Explained

Skip the same five Marley songs. These are the reggae records that actually changed the genre — roots, dub and everything in between.

Essential Hardstyle Albums Explained

Hardstyle lives in DJ sets and festival compilations more than in standalone albums. Here's what to listen to and how to use it as a map of the genre.

Bhangra Subgenres, Explained

One word covers a lot of ground here. Here's what actually separates the different bhangra subgenres, and why the boundaries stay so blurry.

A Beginner's Guide to Classic

Classic rock is a broad, guitar-driven genre that dominated the late 1960s and 1970s — and never really went away. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

Phonk for Newcomers: Where to Start

Forget the subgenre chart and the history lesson. Here's the fastest, least overwhelming way to actually get into phonk, step by step.

The Best Grindcore Songs Right Now

Length has almost nothing to do with it. Here's what actually makes a grindcore track essential.

Ambient Drone Subgenres, Explained

The genre covers a wide range — from meditative synthesizer music to abrasive noise and cinematic soundscapes. Here is how the different streams divide.

A Beginner's Guide to Ambient Techno

Ambient techno merges the meditative atmosphere of ambient music with the mechanical precision of techno. Discover this introspective electronic subgenre and the artists defining its evolution.

Essential Hymns Albums Explained

A Beginner's Guide to Thrash Metal

Fast, furious and drilled to the second — here's what thrash metal actually is, where it came from, and why it never really went away.

Christian Music Subgenres, Explained

Nine lanes, one shared subject matter, almost nothing else in common musically. Here's how to tell them apart properly.

Thrash Metal for Newcomers: Where to Start

You don't need the forty years of history first. Five good records, played in the right order, and a bit of patience will do the job.

Essential Merengue Albums Explained

Two records do more to explain merengue's global reach than almost anything else — here's why they matter, and how to explore beyond them without wasting time.

Blues Music for Newcomers: Where to Start

Forget the theory for a minute. Here's the actual order to listen in if you're getting into blues music for the first time.

Essential Post Rock Albums Explained

These are the post-rock albums that defined the genre, changed its direction or remain the most useful starting points for new listeners — explained in context.

Chamber Pop for Newcomers: Where to Start

Getting into chamber pop is more straightforward than its reputation suggests. Here is a clear, opinionated path in — three starting albums and where to go next.

A Beginner's Guide to Psychedelic Rock

Forget the lava-lamp reputation — here's what psychedelic rock actually sounds like, and why, once you know what to listen for.