Main Music Genres and Sub-genres Guide
If you love music but feel kinda stuck with the same bands and artists in your playlists, it’s time to explore other genres. There’s dozens of music genres and even more sub-genres, that you probably never heard before. So there’s plenty of opportunities to find new songs.
A subgenre (sometimes called music style) is a variance, a subcategory within a broader genre. Its has basic characteristics of the bigger genre but also adds its own set of characteristics that distinguish and set it apart. There’s literally more than a 1000 of identifiable music sub-genres today. Imagine the possibilities you have!
And while the sheer number of styles might feel overwhelming at first, it’s actually not that difficult to navigate them. To make it easier for you I have made a list of the biggest genres and their sub-genres. You can use it as a reference and a guide. The more styles you check, the more new music you will discover.
Using Sub-Genres To Find New Music
Understanding what subgenres belong to what genre can be extremely useful. It’s actually one of the easiest and most reliable ways to discover new artists, bands and new music in general. At least if you know where to start. That’s what I want to help you with. Just follow these 3-steps:
- First of all think about your 3 most favorite music bands / artists. The ones that you listen to the most. Write them down if you need to.
- Now Google each of them and check what Wikipedia says their main music genre is. It’s usually stated in the very first sentence. Also the genres associated with the artists are listed in the Background information section.
- Lastly, write down these genres of you favorite artists. And there you have it – the list of music styles that will serve you as a basis of what to start with.
Now you simply check the sub-genres of the genres you wrote down and explore the artists and groups that make music of these styles.
Wikipedia sometimes misses the main genre and may even include styles which a band/artits has little to do with, but it’s not that important. For the most part they get it close enough. Plus with time you will be able to recognize the genres and their sub-categories yourself.
But for now, you can start with the list of music styles below.
POP & Its Sub-Genres
Pop music genre is characterized by its catchy melodies, simple and repetitive structures. It’s often designed to appeal to as wide audience as possible. And lately it has become less creative, unfortunately. But that’s when sub-genres of pop come to save the day. They include dance-pop, synth-pop, and pop-rock, each blending elements of pop with dance, electronic, and rock music respectively.
Pop Subgenres:
| Sub-genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Dance-Pop | A subgenre that combines elements of dance music with pop, featuring upbeat rhythms and catchy melodies. Artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga are known for their dance-pop hits. |
| Synth-Pop | Known for its use of synthesizers and electronic instruments, creating a futuristic and often danceable sound. Bands like Depeche Mode and The Human League helped popularize this style. Modern bands like Kaleida continue exploring the style. |
| Teen Pop | Aimed at teenagers, this subgenre features young performers, catchy and simple melodies, and themes about love and life. Artists like Britney Spears and Justin Bieber were huge icons in teen pop. |
| Pop Rock | Blends a pop music approach with rock’s use of electric guitars and drums. Examples: Maroon 5, The Strokes, OneRepublic. |
| Bubblegum Pop | Characterized by catchy hooks, simple lyrics, and a fun, upbeat sound. Artists like The Archies and Katy Perry are noteworthy examples. |
| Indie Pop | Combines the melodic, catchy elements of pop with an independent approach to music production. Artists like The xx, SYML, Dan Croll are known for this sound. |
| Electropop | A style that merges pop with electronic dance music, featuring heavy use of synthesizers and digital production. Artists like Robyn and Miike Snow are are good example. |
| Chamber Pop | Combines orchestral arrangements with pop music, creating a richer and more sophisticated sound. Bands like Florence + the Machine and Beirut are known for their chamber pop style. |
| Power Pop | Features strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, and guitars, drawing on the catchy songwriting of the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Check out bands like Big Star and The Knack. |
| Latin Pop | A subgenre that blends pop with Latin American rhythms and instruments, often featuring Spanish or Portuguese lyrics. Artists like Shakira and Ricky Martin are some of the most famous stars. |
Rock & Its Sub-Genres
Rock music makes an emphasis on electric guitars, drums, strong vocals. The genre has a beat that’s more pronounced than in pop music, and the lyrics often deal with a wider range of themes. Sub-genres include punk rock, hard rock, alternative rock among others.
Rock Subgenres:
| Sub-genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Punk Rock | Fast-paced and often seen as rebellious-themed. Punk rock is known for its somewhat simple chords, loud, aggressive sound. Bands like The Offspring and The the Sex Pistols, Green Day are prominent representatives of this style. |
| Hard Rock | Characterized by heavy guitar riffs, strong drums, and powerful vocals. Bands like AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses, Shinedown, Creed helped to make this one of the most popular styles in the world. |
| Alternative Rock | A broad subgenre that emerged in the 1980s, alternative rock is known for its diverse sound that goes against mainstream trends. Bands like Muse, R.E.M. and The White Stripes, Radiohead are great examples. |
| Indie Rock | Independent music with a unique, often experimental sound, not produced by major record labels. Bands like The Strokes and Modest Mouse are popular indie rock groups. |
| Progressive Rock | Known for its complex structure, including unusual time signatures and extended instrumental segments. Bands like Anathema, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Dream Theater are good examples of the style. |
| Grunge | Originating in Seattle in the late 1980s, grunge combines elements of punk and metal with a dirty guitar sound and angst-filled lyrics. Bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana are famous grunge groups. |
| Glam Rock | This sub-category is characterized by flamboyant costumes, heavy makeup, and theatrical performances. Artists like David Bowie and T. Rex made this subgenre popular in the 1970s. |
| Soft Rock | More mellow and lighter in sound, focusing on smoother musical elements and harmonies. Bands like The Eagles and Bread are examples of soft rock. |
| Psychedelic Rock | Known for its surreal, dreamy soundscapes and unique sound. Bands like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd represent this colorful music style perfectly. |
| Folk Rock | Blends traditional folk music with rock ‘n’ roll, featuring harmonious vocals and acoustic instruments. Artists like Bob Dylan and The Byrds are well-known for their contributions to folk rock. |
Metal & Its Sub-Genres
Metal music is a heavier form of rock, characterized by powerful guitar riffs, deep bass, and high-intensity drumming. The vocals can range from melodic singing to aggressive growling or screaming. Sub-genres like death metal, black metal, and heavy metal each amplify these characteristics in different ways.
Metal Subgenres:
| Sub-genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Heavy Metal | The original form of metal, known for its thick sound, complex guitar solos, and powerful rhythms. Bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, W.A.S.P. pioneered and popularized the style. |
| Thrash Metal | A faster, more aggressive type of metal that combines speed and precision. Metallica and Slayer are well-known thrash metal artists. |
| Death Metal | Known for its distorted guitars, deep growling vocals, and complex structures. Bands like Death and Cannibal Corpse are key figures in this subgenre. |
| Black Metal | Features shrieking vocals, fast tempos, and focuses on atmospheric elements with themes of nature and mysticism. Mayhem and Burzum will be a good introduction into the black metal scene. |
| Power Metal | Combines traditional metal with speed and a symphonic backdrop, often featuring fantasy-themed lyrics. Blind Guardian and Helloween are popular examples. |
| Doom Metal | Focuses on slow tempos, low-tuned guitars, and a heavier sound. The mood is often border lining the despair emotions. My Dying Bride and early Anathema are well-known doom metal artists. |
| Gothic Metal | Blends the darkness of goth rock with the heaviness of metal, often featuring keyboards and female vocals. Type O Negative and Paradise Lost are great examples of the style. |
| Progressive Metal | Known for its complex structures, odd time signatures, and intricate playing, blending metal with other genres. Chesk out bands like Dream Theater and Tool. |
| Nu Metal | Combines metal with genres like hip-hop and grunge, known for its rhythmic and melodic approach. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Korn are some of the most well-known nu metal bands. |
| Folk Metal | Merges metal with traditional folk music instruments and melodies, incorporating folklore. Finntroll and Eluveitie use folk instruments in their music. |
Hip Hop & Its Sub-Genres
Hip Hop emerged in the 1970s in urban America, focusing on rhythmic vocal style called rapping over backing beats. The lyrics often address social and political issues, personal experiences, and the struggle of urban life. Sub-genres include gangsta rap, trap, and East Coast hip hop, each with its own distinct sound and lyrical content.
Hip Hop Subgenres:
| Sub-genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Gangsta Rap | Focuses on the violent lifestyles and impoverished conditions of inner-city streets. Artists like Tupac Shakur and N.W.A are pioneers of this style. |
| Trap | Known for its lyrical content and sound that incorporates double or triple-time subdivided hi-hats, heavy kick drums, and layered synthesizers. Artists like T.I. and Gucci Mane helped popularize this subgenre. |
| East Coast Hip Hop | Characterized by complex lyrics and rhythmic beats, this style is known for its storytelling and wordplay. The Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z are iconic figures in East Coast hip hop. |
| West Coast Hip Hop | Features a more laid-back, funky rhythm, often focusing on life in California. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are well-known artists in this subgenre. |
| Boom Bap | A style that emphasizes hard-hitting kick and snare drum sounds. It was prominent in the ’90s with artists like Nas and A Tribe Called Quest. |
| Conscious Hip Hop | Focuses on social issues and seeks to challenge the dominant cultural, political, philosophical, and economic consensus. Artists like Common and Mos Def are known for their conscious lyrical content. |
| Dirty South | Known for its loud, energetic sound and use of call-and-response vocals, this style originated in the southern United States. OutKast and Ludacris are key players in the Dirty South scene. |
| Grime | A British genre that combines elements of dancehall, garage, and hip hop, known for its fast pace and gritty lyrics. Artists like Stormzy and Skepta are prominent figures in grime. |
| Alternative Hip Hop | Offers a more eclectic or independent approach to hip hop music, with less emphasis on hardcore rap conventions. De La Soul and The Roots have explored this style extensively. |
| Horrorcore | Focuses on horror-themed and often darkly transgressive lyrical content. Artists like Insane Clown Posse and Tyler, The Creator, and even Eminem have contributed to this subgenre. |
Electronic Music & Its Sub-Genres
Electronic music is produced using electronic instruments and computer software, with heavy use of synthesizers and beats. It encompasses a wide range of sounds and styles, from the ambient sounds of downtempo to the fast beats of techno. Sub-genres like house, trance, and dubstep each create different moods and energies.
Electronic Music Subgenres:
| Sub-genre | Description |
|---|---|
| House | A style of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute. Artists like Frankie Knuckles and Daft Punk are pioneers of this genre. |
| Techno | Known for its repetitive instrumental music, often produced for use in a continuous DJ set. The sound is generally produced with synthesizers and drum machines. Detroit artists like Juan Atkins and Jeff Mills are key figures in techno. |
| Trance | Features repeating melodic phrases and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track. It aims to induce a trance-like state in the listener. Armin van Buuren and Tiësto are popular trance DJs. |
| Dubstep | A genre that originated in South London, characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. Skrillex and Burial are well-known dubstep artists. |
| Drum and Bass | Known for its fast breakbeats and heavy bass and sub-bass lines. The tempo is usually between 160-180 BPM. Artists like Calibre, Chase & Status Goldie and Andy C are a good example. |
| Ambient | Focuses on creating a mood or atmosphere rather than traditional musical structure or rhythm. Artists like Brian Eno and Aphex Twin have explored ambient sounds in their music. |
| Electro | A style of electronic music that emerged with the development of early synthesizers and drum machines. It’s characterized by its use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine and funk sampling. Afrika Bambaataa and Kraftwerk are pioneers of this style. |
| Hardstyle | A Dutch genre that mixes influences from techno, new beat, and hardcore. Known for its hard beats and distorted, chopped-up synth sounds. Headhunterz and Wildstylez are notable hardstyle artists. |
| Chillout | A branch of electronic music that includes soothing, mellow music designed to relax and de-stress the listener. Artists like Moby and Thievery Corporation are known for their chillout tracks. Synthwave is sometimes mentioned as a micro genre derivative from this style, with bands like Gunship representing it. |
| EDM (Electronic Dance Music) | A broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. Well-known EDM artists include Calvin Harris and David Guetta. |
Country & Its Sub-Genres
Country music originated in the rural Southern United States and is known for its simple melodies, folk story-telling, and use of string instruments like guitars, banjos, and fiddles. The lyrics often discuss life, love, and hardship in a relatable and straightforward manner. Sub-genres like bluegrass, country rock, and pop country each blend the traditional elements of country with other musical influences.
Country Music Subgenres:
| Sub-genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Bluegrass | A style of country music influenced by the music of Appalachia, characterized by fast tempos and improvisation on acoustic instruments. Artists like Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs are pioneers of this genre. |
| Honky Tonk | Known for its raw, emotional style that often features songs about heartbreak and hard living. The sound is centered around electric guitars and pedal steel guitars. Hank Williams and Patsy Cline are notable in honky tonk. |
| Outlaw Country | A subgenre that emerged as a reaction to the polished Nashville sound, with rougher edges and a rebellious attitude. Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings are key figures in outlaw country. |
| Bro-Country | A contemporary subgenre that fuses country with rock and pop, often focusing on themes like partying, attractive women, and pickup trucks. Artists like Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line are popular in bro-country. |
| Country Pop | Blends country music with pop music’s catchy hooks and production styles. Artists like Shania Twain and Taylor Swift have had success in country pop. |
| Alternative Country | Also known as “alt-country,” it combines elements of traditional country with other forms of music like folk and indie rock. Bands like Wovenhand. Wilco and The Jayhawks are examples of alternative country. |
| Americana | A genre that blends elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, and R&B. Artists like Jay Munly, Emmylou Harris and Jason Isbell are associated with Americana. |
| Bakersfield Sound | Originated in Bakersfield, California, this sound is characterized by a rough edge, with Fender Telecaster guitars and a honky-tonk influence. Buck Owens and Merle Haggard are pioneers of the Bakersfield sound. |
| Neo-Traditional Country | Focuses on a return to the roots of country music, emphasizing traditional instrumentation and a pure sound. Artists like George Strait and Alan Jackson are key figures in neo-traditional country. |
| Texas Country | A style of country music that combines traditional and contemporary influences, often with a focus on storytelling and personal narratives. Artists like Pat Green and Randy Rogers Band are popular in Texas country. |
Conclusion
When I started getting into music, Internet was not yet so universal and easily accessible. Now everyone is connected all the time, but back in the 90s you either had to get your info from radio stations, psychical stores or TV programs.
Now we have whole music genre encyclopedias readily available. So use them for you advantage! Enjoy all kinds of music, the more you experience the more appreciation you get from it.
