Music Genres
Everything published on Viyolens under Music Genres — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The Best Psychedelic Rock Songs Right Now
The individual tracks that show what this genre actually does in a few minutes flat — defining songs, not a passing trend.
The Best Drum and Bass Songs Right Now
Forget chasing a chart that changes weekly — here's a shortlist of drum and bass tracks that actually defined the genre, era by era.
A Beginner's Guide to Vaporwave
A patient, no-pressure introduction to vaporwave: what it actually sounds like, where it came from, and a sensible way to start listening.
A Beginner's Guide to Techno Music
A clear, patient walkthrough of what techno music actually is, what to listen for, and how it differs from the genres it gets confused with.
The History of Ambient Music
Not invented on one date by one artist — here's how several separate traditions converged into ambient music, and where it branched from there.
The Best Indie Music Songs Right Now
Forget chasing a chart that changes weekly. Here's a shortlist of songs that have quietly kept earning their place for decades.
Ambient Techno for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Discovering ambient techno as a new listener needn't feel daunting. This guide introduces the genre's defining characteristics, starter albums, listening approaches, and techniques for developing genu...
A Beginner's Guide to Indie Rock
There's no single sound hiding behind the label. Here's what the term actually means, and how the genre's neighbours differ from it.
Ragtime for Newcomers: Where to Start
No music degree required. A warm, honest on-ramp to ragtime: three pieces to start with, what to listen for, and where to find real recordings.
A Beginner's Guide to R&b Music
R&B music began as an industry label in 1949 and grew into one of popular music's richest traditions. Here's a gentle, jargon-free introduction to what it is and how to hear it.
Drum and Bass Subgenres, Explained
Drum and bass isn't one sound wearing different outfits. Here's each subgenre broken down plainly, with a starting point for each mood.
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 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.
The Complete Guide to Bollywood Music
Bollywood music is far more than background accompaniment—it is the beating heart of Indian popular culture and one of the world's most influential film music traditions.
The Best Ska Music Artists to Know
No pretending it's one scene. The Jamaican originators, the 2 Tone generation and the American third wave, laid out honestly.
A Beginner's Guide to Baroque Pop
When 1960s pop ambition met classical orchestration, baroque pop emerged. Here is a guide to what it is, where it came from, and how to hear it.
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.
New Wave Subgenres, Explained
The genre tag covers too much ground on its own. Here's what actually separates synth-pop from new romantic from the darker, colder stuff.
The Complete Guide to Tango
Discover tango: one of the world's most seductive music genres and dances, born from urban Buenos Aires struggle and now celebrated as art.
A Beginner's Guide to Pop Punk
Punk's speed and directness married to pop's gift for a hook — here's what actually makes pop punk tick, and where it sits next to emo.
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.
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.
Music Genres is filed under
All topics
Black Metal
Black metal is an extreme metal style built on speed, harsh vocals, dense guitars and dark atmosphere.
Blues Music
Blues music is a roots tradition built on expressive phrasing, storytelling and strong rhythmic feel.
1 topic
Drum and Bass
Choose drum and bass gear for fast drums, deep bass and precise, high-energy UK production.
2 topics
Heavy Metal
Heavy metal combines powerful riffs, heavy drums and dramatic vocals for a loud, precise rock sound.
2 topics
Indie Music
Indie music covers independent-minded artists and scene-led sounds with DIY spirit, character and crossover appeal.
K Pop
Polished, performance-led pop with global influence, slick production and strong visual identity.
1 topic
Prog Rock
Complex, ambitious rock with extended structures, intricate musicianship and layered arrangements.
Reggae Music
Reggae music is built on groove, bass and spacious rhythm. Shop gear for warm low end, echo-rich production and live per...
