10 obscure music genres you’ve never heard of (but need to explore now)

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In the 1950s, it was simpler as there were only a limited number of musical genres available, including classical, jazz, easy listening, folk, and a few sub-genres like blues. However, rock music was the newcomer. But by the 1960s, the landscape started to change gradually, with both jazz and rock branching out into numerous directions.

Currently, there’s an abundance of musical genres and sub-genres to explore, with metal, rock, and electronic music dominating the scene. Interestingly, even Spotify, a symbol of mainstream popularity, offers a service called Obscurify, which quantifies the level of obscurity within a particular playlist.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that my gaming experience has been significantly shaped by several factors. Artists blending various genres, groundbreaking technological advancements, the use of sampling, and even artificial intelligence have all played a role in this evolving landscape. Frankly, it can be quite challenging to keep up with the plethora of new and mysterious genres that are emerging – some are still novelties, while others are introducing sounds that are genuinely captivating and worth delving into.

Obscure music genres you need to listen to right now

Here are some of the more (or less) obscure genres that just might be worth your attention.

Medieval Folk Rock

This musical style is far from new; it actually blends aspects of medieval folk music (popular during its time) into a contemporary context, where rock rhythm takes center stage. It garnered significant popularity in the late sixties and early seventies, especially among artists hailing from the British Isles, some even managing to chart success.

Memorable names at that place begin with Incredible String Band, also featuring groups such as Steeleye Span, Pentangle, and notably, Gryphon – a band that was exceptionally medieval.

Kawaii Metal

In recent times, the widespread fame of K-Pop and J-Pop has been growing, making it inevitable for someone to blend the adorable melodies of J-Pop with any heavy metal style (you choose). This unique fusion was named as Kawaii Metal, since “kawaii” is Japanese for “cute.” Is this a mismatch? Not really!

If you were to inquire from the now-duo (previously a trio) known as Babymetal – a group with tens of millions of views and listeners across platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and others – what’s the answer?

Gothic Country

As a passionate gamer navigating through the world of country music, I’ve come across tunes that delve deep into the gloomier aspects of life – from heartbreak and deceit to more gruesome subjects such as murder and torture. Even the legendary Johnny Cash, known for his official genre contributions, dipped his toes in gothic country. It’s fascinating how this genre manages to encapsulate both the light and dark sides of human existence.

In contemporary times, you could incorporate that rock-like element into the gothic-country genre, and a multitude of musicians, such as Nick Cave, Bill Callahan, and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, are expressing their country motifs with distinctly somber hues.

Vaporwave

As a devoted fan, I must confess that this genre sparks intense debate among music lovers. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it situation, with very little room for indifference. Perhaps the reason lies in its origins, dating back to the 1990s, where it relies heavily on sampling diverse sounds – from mellow easy listening tracks to digital game soundtracks – layered upon each other in a unique and sometimes chaotic symphony.

The outcomes might vary greatly, from infuriatingly frustrating to fascinatingly captivating, based on one’s current emotional state. At present, one of the genre’s trailblazers is known as Oneohtrix Point Never, which is actually the alias used by Daniel Lopatin.

Freakbeat

Originating from Britain at an earlier time period, this particular style emerged in the mid-1960s. It blended the sound of the R&B-leaning British Invasion bands with jazzy rhythms and hints of psychedelia. The term “freakbeat” was actually popularized much later, in the 1980s, by British music journalists. Bands such as Small Faces and The Pretty Things can comfortably fit into this musical genre.

Lowercase

This type of music can be considered a solo creation since it’s attributed to Steve Roden, an electronic artist who is also known for originating this genre due to its extremely minimalist and ambient nature. The “extreme” aspect comes from the fact that on one of his albums titled “man’s“, Roden employed unconventional methods by using sounds from simple everyday items such as paper, manipulating them in various ways, and then enhancing those sounds with loops and other electronic effects to transform them into something unique.

Folktronica

In the ’90s, Folktronica was extremely popular and trendy, but for some reason, artists associated with this genre seemed to shift their focus elsewhere. As its name suggests, Folktronica is essentially a blend of electronic and folk music, featuring varying amounts of each.

Initially, Animal Collective was associated with a particular musical category, and bands such as Caribou and The Boards of Canada were also recognized as belonging to that same genre.

Hypnagogic Pop

In simpler terms, the word “hypnagogic” refers to the state just before we drift off to sleep. It was coined by British music critics to describe modern artists who predominantly draw inspiration from ’80s music and then enhance those sounds with heavy effects, often slow ones, resulting in a dreamy effect.

Toro Y Moi is possibly one of the key exponents of this genre.

Neurofunk 

These days, drum and bass isn’t often discussed, but it continues to exist, primarily in the form of its more ominous subgenre known as Neurofunk. This style emerged in the late ’90s as a fusion of techno, funk, house, and industrial music, with acts like Noisia and Black Sun Empire gaining prominence within it.

Glitch Hop

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of electronic music, I’ve discovered an intriguing subgenre known as glitch-hop. This genre is like a blend between hip-hop’s rhythmic soul and lo-fi electronic sounds that can take you on a wild journey. Some might say the electronic element in this mix is the ghost inside the machine. Pioneers such as Tim Necker, Flying Lotus, and Venetian Snares have made quite an impact in this scene with their innovative work.

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2025-05-15 13:00