Genre Info

Pop
Pop music is the soundtrack to the mainstream, designed to be instantly accessible, catchy, and memorable. It’s the genre you hear on the radio, in commercials, and at parties—songs that stick in your head all day. Pop is all about blending different musical elements, borrowing from rock, R&B, electronic, and even hip-hop to create the perfect combination of melody and rhythm. At its core, pop thrives on infectious hooks, relatable lyrics, and a production style that sounds clean and polished. Whether it’s the bubblegum pop of the ’90s or today’s slick electropop hits, the genre has an uncanny ability to evolve with the times and stay relevant, making it one of the most enduring musical forms.

Rock
Rock music is synonymous with rebellion, energy, and raw emotion. Born out of the 1950s, rock evolved from early rhythm and blues and took the world by storm with its electric guitars, pounding drums, and larger-than-life anthems. Over the decades, rock has given rise to countless subgenres—from the hard-hitting, distortion-heavy riffs of hard rock and metal to the introspective and experimental sounds of alternative and indie rock. It’s a genre that can be as aggressive as punk rock or as grandiose as progressive rock, offering a wide range of sounds that appeal to almost any mood. At its core, though, rock is always about breaking boundaries, pushing the envelope, and speaking to the soul of its listeners with raw, unfiltered passion.

Hip Hop / Rap
Hip hop is more than just a genre—it’s a cultural movement that revolutionized music, art, fashion, and language. Emerging from the streets of New York in the late ’70s, hip hop was born from the creativity of DJs and MCs who blended spoken word (rap) with breakbeats and scratching. It’s a genre that thrives on storytelling, with rap lyrics often reflecting personal experiences, social issues, or political commentary. The beats are as important as the words, and the production can range from the minimalist boom-bap of old-school hip hop to the atmospheric and trap-influenced sounds dominating today’s charts. But hip hop is never just one thing—it’s a genre that adapts and reinvents itself with every new generation, making it one of the most dynamic and influential forces in modern music.

Electronic / Dance
Electronic music is where technology meets creativity, turning synthesizers, drum machines, and computers into instruments that can create everything from soothing ambient soundscapes to high-energy dance floor anthems. It’s a genre that spans a vast range of moods and styles. On one end, you have the hypnotic beats of house and techno, perfect for losing yourself on the dance floor. On the other, there’s the atmospheric and experimental world of ambient and downtempo, designed for relaxation or introspection. At the heart of electronic music is the concept of “loops” and repetition, building layers of sound that grow more immersive with every listen. Whether you’re raving in a warehouse at 3 AM or unwinding with some chilled-out beats, electronic music offers an experience like no other.

Jazz
Jazz is the ultimate expression of musical freedom and improvisation. It’s a genre that was born in New Orleans in the early 20th century but quickly spread around the world, evolving into a sophisticated form of art music. What makes jazz unique is its focus on spontaneity—musicians riff off each other, creating intricate harmonies and rhythms on the fly. From the swinging big bands of the ’30s and ’40s to the bebop revolution of the ’50s and the more experimental free jazz of the ’60s and beyond, jazz is constantly evolving. But no matter the style, jazz is always about feeling and expression. Whether it’s a smoky trumpet solo or a frenetic drum pattern, jazz speaks directly to your emotions and has the power to transport you to another world.

Classical
Classical music is timeless, a genre that stretches back centuries and remains a pillar of musical artistry. It encompasses the great composers of the past—like Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach—whose works still resonate today. But classical music is much more than just the old masters. It’s a genre defined by its complexity, structure, and emotional depth, capable of capturing the most intimate personal feelings or painting vast, sweeping landscapes through sound. Whether it’s the grandeur of a symphony orchestra, the delicate beauty of a solo piano piece, or the soaring drama of an opera, classical music transcends time. It’s the foundation on which much of today’s music is built and a testament to the power of melody, harmony, and composition to move us profoundly.

R&B / Soul
R&B (Rhythm and Blues) and Soul are genres steeped in emotion, blending heartfelt vocals with grooves that make you want to move. R&B emerged in the 1940s and has evolved into a sophisticated style that emphasizes smooth, sensual production and melodies. It’s a genre that blends the emotional depth of blues with the rhythmic energy of funk, often built around themes of love, relationships, and personal struggle. Soul music, a close cousin of R&B, takes things a step further—born from the gospel traditions of the African American church, soul is all about delivering raw emotion through impassioned vocals. From the Motown hits of the ’60s to the sultry, contemporary R&B of today, these genres create music that speaks to the heart while making your body groove.

Country
Country music is the sound of the American heartland, a genre that tells stories of life, love, heartbreak, and the everyday experiences of rural living. Its roots trace back to folk and blues traditions, but it has since evolved into one of the most diverse and popular genres in the world. Classic country is known for its twangy guitars and simple, heartfelt lyrics, but modern country often blends elements of pop and rock for a more polished sound. Whether it’s a foot-stomping honky-tonk tune, a soulful ballad, or an anthem about small-town pride, country music is built on authenticity. It’s about telling stories that feel real, and it has a unique ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level.

Latin
Latin music is an umbrella term for the vibrant, diverse sounds originating from Latin America and Spain. It encompasses a rich variety of styles, from the sultry rhythms of salsa and bachata to the energetic, dance-heavy beats of reggaeton and Latin pop. Latin music is characterized by its infectious rhythms—think fast-paced percussion, syncopated beats, and irresistible grooves. Whether you’re dancing to the complex steps of tango or shaking it to a reggaeton beat, Latin music is designed to move both your body and your soul. It’s also deeply tied to cultural identity, with each region offering its own musical flavor, from the guitar-driven sounds of flamenco in Spain to the brass-heavy mariachi bands of Mexico.

Metal
Metal is the genre that takes everything to the extreme—louder, faster, and more intense. Born from the heavier side of rock in the late ’60s and early ’70s, metal is known for its powerful riffs, aggressive vocals, and driving rhythms. It’s a genre that thrives on energy, often exploring darker or more complex themes, whether through the blistering speed of thrash metal, the epic, mythic narratives of power metal, or the crushing weight of doom metal. But metal isn’t just about aggression—it’s also about technical skill and musical complexity, with many metal bands pushing the boundaries of what musicians can do with their instruments. For fans, metal is more than just music; it’s a community, a way of life, and a form of self-expression that speaks to the power of raw emotion.

Folk
Folk music is the sound of tradition and storytelling, passed down through generations and often reflecting the cultural and social experiences of everyday people. It’s a genre rooted in acoustic instruments—think banjos, fiddles, and guitars—and simple melodies that feel raw, natural, and deeply authentic. Folk music has a unique ability to tell stories about life, love, and hardship, often in ways that resonate across cultures. Its lyrics tend to focus on personal, political, and social themes, providing a voice for the underrepresented. Modern folk, often referred to as Indie Folk or Folk Rock, has taken these traditional elements and blended them with more contemporary sounds, but at its heart, folk remains a genre that’s about connection—between the artist, the listener, and the stories being told.

Blues
The blues is the foundation of much of modern music, known for its deep emotion, soulful melodies, and the use of the “blues scale,” which creates its signature melancholy sound. Born out of the African American experience in the Deep South, the blues often reflects themes of hardship, heartache, resilience, and hope. It’s raw and powerful, driven by the expressive bending of notes on the guitar, the moaning of harmonicas, and passionate, often gritty vocals. Classic blues legends like B.B. King and Muddy Waters laid the groundwork for what would later inspire genres like rock, jazz, and R&B. Whether it’s a slow, sorrowful ballad or an upbeat, shuffling rhythm, the blues taps into the universal feeling of struggle and survival, which is why it remains so deeply influential to this day.

Reggae
Reggae is the heartbeat of Jamaica, known for its laid-back grooves, offbeat rhythms, and socially conscious lyrics. Emerging in the late 1960s, reggae’s signature “one drop” beat creates a relaxed, swaying rhythm that instantly transports you to a tropical paradise. But reggae is more than just feel-good music—it has a strong tradition of activism, with artists like Bob Marley using their songs to address issues of peace, equality, and social justice. At the core of reggae is its message of unity and love, often tied to Rastafarianism, which gives the genre a spiritual dimension. Whether you’re listening to roots reggae or the more danceable sounds of its offshoots like dancehall, reggae always feels like a celebration of life, even in the face of adversity.

Punk
Punk is the sound of rebellion, a genre that exploded in the 1970s as a response to the bloated, overly commercialized rock music of the time. Stripped down to its bare essentials, punk music is fast, loud, and unapologetically raw, often featuring just three chords and lyrics that are as angry as they are insightful. It’s music with a DIY ethos, where anyone with an instrument and something to say can create a song. Punk embraces imperfection, celebrating the outsider, the misfit, and the rebellious spirit in all of us. Bands like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols are iconic for their defiance against social norms, and punk’s influence can still be felt in countless subcultures and genres today. Whether it’s a two-minute thrash or an anthem of anarchy, punk is about breaking the rules and challenging the status quo.

World Music
World music is a catch-all term that encompasses traditional and contemporary sounds from cultures all over the globe. It’s a genre that takes you on a journey through different continents, bringing together indigenous instruments, regional rhythms, and unique vocal styles that reflect the rich diversity of human expression. Whether it’s the mesmerizing sounds of Indian classical music, the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat from West Africa, or the haunting beauty of Mongolian throat singing, world music offers a vast, colorful tapestry of sounds that celebrate the richness of cultural heritage. It’s music that breaks down barriers, allowing listeners to experience the traditions and stories of people from every corner of the planet. In a world that’s more interconnected than ever, world music reminds us of the beauty of diversity and the shared language of music.

Gospel / Religious
Gospel music is the soul-stirring sound of faith and spirituality, rooted deeply in Christian worship and African American church traditions. It’s a genre defined by powerful vocals, uplifting harmonies, and lyrics that express deep devotion, praise, and hope. Gospel can range from the traditional church choirs that shake the rafters with their soaring voices to contemporary Christian music that blends pop, rock, and R&B influences. The genre has also been a significant influence on other forms of music, including soul and R&B. Gospel isn’t just music—it’s a spiritual experience, meant to inspire and uplift, bringing listeners closer to a sense of peace and divine connection. Whether performed in a small chapel or a stadium, gospel music is always an invitation to feel the joy and love at the heart of the message.

New Age
New Age music is like a sonic escape from the stresses of modern life, designed to calm the mind and soothe the soul. It’s often instrumental, incorporating soft, ambient soundscapes that are perfect for meditation, relaxation, or healing. The genre frequently features natural sounds—like flowing water, wind, or birdsong—blended with gentle electronic tones or acoustic instruments, creating a serene, otherworldly atmosphere. It can also include influences from world music or classical, further enhancing its meditative qualities. Whether you’re using it as background music during yoga or simply unwinding after a long day, New Age music offers a peaceful retreat, making it the go-to soundtrack for those looking to find inner calm in a busy world.

Experimental / Avant-Garde
Experimental music is where creativity knows no bounds, pushing the limits of what music can be. It’s a genre that defies traditional structures, often playing with unusual sounds, innovative techniques, and unconventional instruments. Experimental music can be challenging to listen to, but for those who enjoy it, it’s a thrilling exploration of new possibilities. From the minimalist compositions of artists like John Cage to the more chaotic, noise-driven sounds of avant-garde rock or electronic music, the genre is all about breaking the rules and venturing into the unknown. It’s not music that everyone will understand or appreciate, but for those who do, it offers an experience that’s deeply cerebral and uniquely immersive, encouraging listeners to question their own perceptions of sound and art.

Soundtrack / Score
Soundtrack and score music are the unsung heroes of the entertainment world, elevating movies, TV shows, and video games by adding an emotional, narrative layer that helps tell the story. A soundtrack often includes songs from various artists that capture the mood or time period of a film, while a score is an original composition crafted specifically to enhance the emotional impact of a scene. From the sweeping, orchestral themes of John Williams’ scores for Star Wars or Harry Potter to the moody, atmospheric electronic beats found in modern thrillers, soundtracks are integral to the immersive experience of visual media. They make you feel every twist, every triumph, and every heartbreak, transforming a great scene into an unforgettable one.

Indie / Alternative
Indie and Alternative music represent a world outside of the mainstream, where artists create music on their own terms, often blending genres and experimenting with new sounds. Indie music originally referred to music produced independently from major record labels, but it has since evolved into a genre that captures a certain ethos of authenticity, creativity, and experimentation. Alternative music, closely related, started as a counter-culture movement in the ’80s and ’90s, rejecting the glossy production and commercialism of mainstream rock and pop. From the introspective, lo-fi sounds of indie folk to the gritty edge of alternative rock, this genre thrives on its ability to be unconventional, unique, and personal. For many fans, indie and alternative music is a breath of fresh air—raw, real, and emotionally resonant, making you feel like you’re discovering something special that belongs just to you.