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 Mandopop
Mandopop—popular music in Mandarin Chinese—has evolved from a regional Asian phenomenon into a globally influential genre. From Teresa Teng to contemporary artists, discover how mandopop shapes global...
A Beginner's Guide to Shoegaze
Distortion, feedback and a pop melody buried somewhere underneath: here's what shoegaze actually is, where its odd name came from, and why it never really went away.
Bedroom Pop Subgenres, Explained
One genre, half a dozen distinct sounds. Here's how the main strands of bedroom pop split apart and what actually links them.
Psychedelic Rock Subgenres, Explained
Acid rock, space rock, neo-psychedelia — the labels overlap constantly. Here's what actually separates each branch of the genre.
Grime Subgenres, Explained
Where does grime end and its neighbouring genres begin? Here's an honest map of Eskibeat, UK garage, dubstep, UK drill and the mainstream crossover.
Psychedelic Rock for Newcomers: Where to Start
You don't need anything except patience and your own ears. Here's a genuine starting path into psychedelic rock, five records at a time.
Industrial Music Subgenres, Explained
Industrial music covers several distinct subgenres — this guide explains each one, what it sounds like, and which artists define it.
A Beginner's Guide to Latin Music
There's no such thing as a single Latin sound. Here's a clear, logical foundation for understanding the many traditions hiding under that one label.
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 Psychedelic Rock Albums Explained
Records are where this genre actually lives. Here are the essential albums, and a straight explanation of what makes each one matter.
Latin Music Subgenres, Explained
Stop lumping it all together. These subgenres are built on completely different rhythms, instruments and histories. Here's a straight breakdown, no vague generalising.
Breakbeat Subgenres, Explained
Breakbeat is not one thing. The term covers everything from hip-hop to jungle, drum and bass, big beat, trip-hop and breakcore. Here's a plain breakdown of the main branches and what makes each distin...
The Best Drum and Bass Artists to Know
From Goldie to Andy C, here's a practical map of the drum and bass artists behind every corner of the genre, grouped by what they actually do.
A Beginner's Guide to Metalcore
Metalcore can look intimidating from the outside, but the sound is built from a small, learnable set of ingredients. Here's what they are and how they fit together.
Post Punk Subgenres, Explained
Post-punk was never one sound. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of its overlapping strands, and where each one bled into a genre of its own.
Blues Music Subgenres, Explained
Call something "blues" and you've told me almost nothing. Here's each subgenre explained straight, no padding.
A Beginner's Guide to Ebm
Not sure what EBM actually means? Elizabeth breaks down Electronic Body Music from first principles — the sound, the history and the names worth knowing — with no assumed knowledge.
The Best Metalcore Artists to Know
Metalcore is arguably defined by a handful of bands who worked out how to write within it properly. Here are the artists whose choices actually shaped the genre.
A Beginner's Guide to Electropop
Electropop combines electronic production with pop songwriting. This guide covers what defines the genre, where it came from, and why it still shapes mainstream music.
A Beginner's Guide to New Jack Swing
R&B with hip-hop's drum logic. Hard machine beats, swung grooves and layered vocals. Here is what makes new jack swing what it is.
A Beginner's Guide to Industrial Metal
Bossa Nova Subgenres, Explained
How a small, quiet Rio de Janeiro sound branched into samba-jazz, bossa jazz, MPB and a lounge revival decades later.
The History of Funk Music
How rhythm took over from melody: the history of funk music, from its 1960s roots to its legacy in disco and hip-hop.
Boogie Subgenres, Explained
One word, four genuinely different genres — here's a clear map of how boogie splits, and why it keeps causing mix-ups.
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...
