10 music genres you didn’t know existed

Musical preferences are incredibly personal to each listener. Although there are, of course, many popular music genres that attract a large audience, there are also some weird and lesser-known genres that deserve to be recognized. In honor of World Music Day 2023 we’ve decided to introduce you to 10 unusual music genres that you (probably) didn’t know existed!

1. lowercase
2. Kawaiicore
3. Folktronica
4. Pirate Metal
5. Witch House
6. Math Rock
7. Vaporwave
8. Spytrack
9. Black MIDI
10. Cloud Rap

1. lowercase

Thought to have been inadvertently created by Steve Roden with his album “Forms of paper” where he recorded himself handling paper in various ways. He has described the genre as “…the opposite of capital letters—loud things which draw attention to themselves.”

Digital magnification is used to intensify micro-sounds to create new auditory experiences. By using amplified contact microphones, sounds such as underground ant colony chambers, snow falling and even plants are captured and rendered accessible to the human ear.

2. Kawaiicore

This music genre (also known as cute metal, or kawaii metal) can be recognized by its blend of heavy metal and J-pop elements. You will typically find a combination of instrumentation found in various types of heavy metal music, mixed with J-pop melodies as well as a Japanese idol aesthetic.

When it comes to lyrical topics for Kawaiicore, they are much less hostile than those of other heavy metal genres and include cute, loveable and kid-like themes. The success of this music genre is often credited to the Japanese girl group Babymetal.

3. Folktronica

Folktronica is considered a hybrid music genre. It simultaneously blends acoustic instruments found in folk music and some types of indie rock with the drum machines and synthesizers of electronic music. Three key elements make up the Folktronica music genre:

• Electronic rhythm components
• Traditional folk instruments playing harmonies
• A wide array of vocalists

The English group Ultramarine released their album Every Man and Woman Is a Star in 1991, which became a kind of role model for the movement. 

4. Pirate Metal

As the name indicates, Pirate metal is a style of heavy metal music. The genre is mainly characterized by the incorporation of pirate mythology within the music itself, and lyrics often include piratical jargon. You’ll hear a combination of multiple music genres, such as thrash metal, speed metal, and folk metal, as well as traditional-sounding songs like sea shanties. During live concerts, you’ll often find that band members dress up in period costume (as do their fans!)

The most popular band of the pirate metal genre is Alestorm. The Scottish group’s fourth album Sunset on the Golden Age reached Number 1 on the UK Rock Chart, which is a huge accomplishment for such a niche genre.

5. Witch House

Known for its dark, occult themes, Witch House is generally accompanied by eerie, horror influenced aesthetics. The musical style itself is heavily influenced by chopped and screwed hip hop, as well as industrial music, ethereal wave and dream pop. It also incorporates a mix of synths, drum machines, obscure samples, droning repetition, and vocals that are heavily altered.

Emerging in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, the genre was heavily influenced by paranormal films and series such as The Blair Witch Project, Twin Peaks, Charmed, as well as various horror and terror themed pop culture references.

6. Math Rock

Math rock is a music genre that is characterized by complex, atypical rhythmic structures. Odd time signatures such as 5/4, 7/8, 11/8 or 13/8 are also used (as opposed to a traditional 4/4 meter.) Whilst drums have a great role in Math Rock when it comes to creating complex rhythms, guitars are used to build on them with loop pedals and tapping techniques. Vocals are seen as another instrument in the mix, and lyrics are not the main focus for this music genre.

7. Vaporwave

Vaporwave is a microgenre of electronic music and visual art style that emerged in the early 2010s. It’s another one of those music genres that is defined partly by its slowed-down, chopped and screwed samples. It combines a number of genres such as smooth jazz, elevator, R&B, and lounge music from the 1980s and 1990s.

The genre is associated with an having an ironic take on consumer capitalism and techno-culture. It’s also said to be one of the rare music genres that privileges the visual form over the music itself.

8. Spytrack

This music genre is exactly what you think it is: music that sounds like it should be part of a spy movie soundtrack. The genre emerged between the 60s-70s and mixes jazz and orchestral elements to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. Often characterized by its use of percussion, brass and strings, it can also include electronic instruments like synthesizers.

9. Black MIDI

This music genre consists of MIDI piano compositions that are so dense that they would appear completely black if scored on sheet paper from the amount of notes. It is said that black MIDI was intended as more of a remix style than an actual genre, as compositions are typically covers or remixes of original songs (usually video game music.)

10. Cloud Rap

Cloud rap is a form of Hip Hop characterized by a distinct form of production that emphasises relaxed, ethereal, dream-like, and reverb-heavy sounds. The genre often involves detailed electronic production compared to earlier hip hop production styles.

The style was popularized through rappers such as Lil B, Soulja Boy, and A$AP Rocky, and the cloud rap reach extended, especially through online platforms.

We hope that you found this article interesting, and that you discovered some new music genres that you can share with the listeners of your radio station for World Music Day!