Music Genres
Everything published on Viyolens under Music Genres — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
A Beginner's Guide to Blues Music
Three chords, one bent note and a room gone quiet — here's what blues music actually is, how it's built, and why it still matters.
The Complete Guide to Liquid Drum And Bass
Liquid drum and bass combines fast breakbeats with atmospheric textures, jazz influences, and melodic sophistication. This guide explores the genre's origins, key artists, and what makes its sound dis...
Hip Hop Music: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Ready to explore hip-hop? This guide covers essential albums across eras, regional styles, subgenres, whether to stream or buy vinyl, common newcomer mistakes, and how to build genuine appreciation fo...
Pop Punk Subgenres, Explained
The umbrella term hides several distinct strands — here's how melodic punk, skate punk, emo crossover and easycore actually differ.
A Beginner's Guide to Reggae Music
The bass carries the tune, the guitar skips the beat, and the whole thing still somehow feels relaxed. Here's what reggae is and where it came from, in plain terms.
A Beginner's Guide to Ambient Music
It builds an atmosphere and lets you decide how closely to listen — here's what actually defines ambient music, and where it came from.
Metalcore Subgenres, Explained
The word gets stretched over a lot of genuinely different-sounding bands. Here's a plain, no-nonsense rundown of the main branches and who to hear in each one.
New Jack Swing for Newcomers: Where to Start
Start with three tracks. Then one album. Then build outward. Here is the most efficient route into the genre.
A Beginner's Guide to Funk Music
Funk music is dance music built on rhythm, not melody. Here's what makes the groove work, and where to start listening.
Funk Music Subgenres, Explained
A no-nonsense breakdown of P-Funk, funk-rock, jazz-funk, boogie and more, and what genuinely separates one from another.
The History of Black Metal
From a Venom album title to a small, notorious Norwegian scene and on into a truly global genre, here's how black metal actually unfolded.
The History of Vaporwave
Born almost entirely online, out of shared uploads and half-formed ideas, years before anyone agreed what to call it. Here's how it actually came together.
Ragtime Subgenres, Explained
Ragtime didn't arrive fully formed and didn't stay still afterward. What came before it, what sat alongside it, and what it turned into.
The History of Blues Music
From unmarked cotton fields to smoky Chicago clubs to a London rehearsal room — the real, unhurried story of how this sound came together.
Shoegaze for Newcomers: Where to Start
It might sound like noise for the first minute or two, and that's completely normal. Here's a gentler way into shoegaze than diving straight into Loveless.
Essential Cloud Rap Albums Explained
The essential cloud rap albums and mixtapes, from A$AP Rocky's breakthrough Live.Love.A$AP and Clams Casino's instrumental EPs to Yung Lean's Unknown Memory.
Essential Metalcore Albums Explained
Most of the essential metalcore records came out of small labels and DIY tours, written before anyone had agreed on a formula. Here's why each one still matters.
A Beginner's Guide to Post Punk
Punk tore up the rulebook — post-punk decided to keep going. Here's what the genre actually sounds like, where it came from and who shaped it.
The Complete Guide to Mariachi
Mariachi represents centuries of Mexican culture. Discover the history, instruments, and soul of this UNESCO-recognised musical tradition.
The Complete Guide to Qawwali
Explore Qawwali, the ancient Sufi devotional music tradition that has captivated audiences for centuries. Learn its spiritual significance, key performers and how to experience authentic Qawwali.
Essential Ragtime Albums Explained
Ragtime predates the album format, so here's what 'essential albums' actually means: the archival and revival collections genuinely worth hearing.
A Beginner's Guide to Art Pop
No fixed tempo, no required synth, no dress code beyond a willingness to mess with pop's expectations while keeping a hook that actually lands.
Cantopop Subgenres, Explained
Cantopop is not one sound but a family of related styles — here is how the main subgenres developed and what each one sounds like.
Indie Music Subgenres, Explained
Indie isn't one sound wearing different outfits. Here's each subgenre broken down plainly, with a starting point for each mood.
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...
