Music Genres
Everything published on Viyolens under Music Genres — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The History of Eurodance
Eurodance built its template from Italo disco, house, rave and hip-house, then dominated European charts for most of the 1990s. Here is how that happened.
Shoegaze Subgenres, Explained
The word gets thrown around loosely these days. Here's an honest breakdown of classic shoegaze and everything that's since branched off from it.
K Pop Subgenres, Explained
Folk Rock Subgenres, Explained
It was never one fixed sound — here's how to tell folk rock's closest relatives apart.
Ambient Music Subgenres, Explained
Call it “ambient” and you've said less than it sounds like — here's how the genre's main branches actually differ from each other.
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 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.
Eurodance Subgenres, Explained
Eurodance covers a broader territory than most listeners realise. Here is how the main subgenres relate to the classic early 1990s sound and to each other.
Prog Rock Subgenres, Explained
Symphonic, Canterbury, avant, neo, metal, modern — a plain-English guide to the prog rock subgenres and who to check out in each.
New Jack Swing Subgenres, Explained
There is no official map. But the style covered meaningfully different ground — here are the strands that matter.
Hyperpop Subgenres, Explained
They get thrown around interchangeably online, but nightcore, bubblegum bass, digicore and glitchcore are not the same thing at all. Here's what separates them.
A Beginner's Guide to Eurodance
Eurodance defined European pop radio in the early 1990s. Here is what the genre is, why it sounds the way it does, and where a new listener should start.
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.
A Beginner's Guide to Bossa Nova
What bossa nova actually is, in plain English — the sound, the story and the handful of names worth knowing before you dive in.
The History of Industrial Metal
A Beginner's Guide to Rockabilly
Country phrasing sung with rhythm-and-blues urgency — here's your gentle, no-jargon introduction to what rockabilly actually is.
The Complete Guide to Grunge Bands
In the early 1990s, Seattle's underground rock scene erupted into a worldwide phenomenon. Grunge bands became the most important force in popular music, reshaping rock, fashion, and attitude for an en...
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.
Essential Eurodance Albums Explained
Eurodance was primarily a singles format, but a handful of albums and compilations stand out. Here is what to look for and why.
A Beginner's Guide to Nu Disco
Nu disco revives 1970s disco's instrumental richness and emotional soul through contemporary electronic production, creating sophisticated, groove-oriented dance music that moves bodies and lifts spir...
A Beginner's Guide to Americana
Americana blends country, folk, blues, bluegrass and rock into something else entirely. Here's a friendly, no-jargon way in for first-time listeners.
A Beginner's Guide to Heavy Metal
The Best Baroque Pop Artists to Know
The genre's artists range from studio-bound orchestral pop pioneers to folk-influenced chamber composers. Here are the names that matter and what makes each significant.
The Complete Guide to City Pop
City pop represents one of the most distinctive musical genres to emerge from Japan, capturing urban sophistication and romantic yearning. Once confined to Japan, city pop has experienced a remarkable...
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...
