Alternative Music
Everything published on Viyolens under Alternative Music — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The Complete Guide to Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine are an influential alternative band known for powerful vocals and orchestral arrangements. This guide covers their complete story and discography.
The Best Alternative Music Artists to Know
These are the artists who built alternative music — the bands and musicians worth knowing, from post-punk pioneers to 21st-century shape-shifters.
A Beginner's Guide to Alternative Music
Alternative music spans post-punk, grunge, shoegaze, Britpop and beyond — here's how to find your way in without getting lost.
Dream Pop for Newcomers: Where to Start
Start with Beach House's Teen Dream and go from there. Here's a practical route through dream pop for first-time listeners.
The Complete Guide to Alternative Guitar Tunings
Alternative guitar tunings transform how the instrument sounds and plays. Explore drop tunings, open tunings, and other alternatives that inspire creativity and expand musical possibilities for guitar...
A Beginner's Guide to Dream Pop
Reverb-soaked guitars, ethereal vocals and a sound built for late-night listening — this is dream pop, one of music's most beguiling corners.
Indie Music for Newcomers: Where to Start
You don't need the history or the subgenre names on day one. Here's the practical, ears-first route into indie music.
The Complete Guide to Gothic
Gothic music blends post-punk's raw energy with orchestral darkness and romantic melancholy. From Bauhaus to contemporary acts, explore a genre that validates deeper emotions and celebrates beautiful...
A Beginner's Guide to Darkwave
Darkwave is music built on post-punk foundations, synthesiser textures, and an interior kind of darkness. Here is everything a new listener needs to understand it.
A Beginner's Guide to Indie Music
Ask five people what indie means and you'll get five answers. Here's what the term actually covers, and how to start listening.
The Best Alternative Music Songs Right Now
These are the tracks that define what alternative music is: songs that introduced styles, broke rules and have never stopped being played for a reason.
The Complete Guide to Jazzmaster Guitar
The Jazzmaster guitar is a distinctly musical instrument with iconic status in alternative rock and indie music. Explore its design, tone and the artists who made it legendary.
The Complete Guide to Mustang Bass
The Fender Mustang Bass has inspired countless bassists since 1966 with its compact size, distinctive voice, and uncompromising character—learn what makes it stand apart from conventional choices.
The History of Alternative Music
Alternative music's history runs from post-punk basements to stadium-filling chart-toppers — here's the full story of how it happened.
The Complete Guide to Mustang Fender Bass
The Fender Mustang Bass combines compact size with punchy, cutting tone that made it iconic in punk and alternative rock. Discover its unique 30-inch scale advantage, tonal character and how it compar...
Alternative Music Subgenres, Explained
Alternative music isn't one thing — it's a family of distinct styles. Here's a clear guide to every major subgenre, from post-punk to post-rock.
The Complete Guide to Gothic Rock Artists
Gothic rock artists have shaped music and culture for decades, blending dark aesthetics with melodic sophistication and genuine artistic vision.
Essential Alternative Music Albums Explained
These are the albums that built alternative music: the records that shifted what rock could sound like and set the templates every band since has worked from.
The Best Dream Pop Artists to Know
From the Cocteau Twins' foundational ecstasy to Beach House's contemporary dominance, these are the artists who define the genre.
Post Punk for Newcomers: Where to Start
No jargon, no homework — just a sensible order to listen in if you're new to post-punk, and permission to skip whatever doesn't grab you first time.
Fender Baritone Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A Fender baritone guitar opens a deeper sound world than standard guitar, and it's surprisingly friendly for beginners curious about the instrument.
Alternative Music is filed under
All topics
Alternative Guitar Tunings
Alternative guitar tunings unlock new chords, drones and textures for songwriting, performance and experimentation.
Alternative Music
Alternative music covers distinctive, non-mainstream styles from indie guitar bands to experimental and genre-blending a...
Darkwave
Darkwave is a moody blend of post-punk, new wave and electronics, known for shadowy synths and introspective lyrics.
Dream Pop
Dream pop combines pop songwriting with hazy guitars, soft vocals and a lush, atmospheric feel.
Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine-inspired instruments and production gear for expressive songwriting, layered sound and dynamic...
Gothic Rock Artists
Profiles and features on gothic rock bands, genre history and the artists that shaped the scene.
Indie Music
Indie music covers independent-minded artists and scene-led sounds with DIY spirit, character and crossover appeal.
Post Punk
Post punk blends angular guitars, tension and experimental energy into a dark, driving style.
