Music Genres
Everything published on Music Adviser UK under Music Genres — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
A Beginner's Guide to Folk Rock
Folk's storytelling, plugged in and given a rock band's backbeat — here's what folk rock actually is and where it came from.
A Beginner's Guide to Drum and Bass
Fast, bass-heavy and built on chopped breakbeats — here's what drum and bass actually is, and how the pieces fit together.
A Beginner's Guide to Prog Rock
Prog rock can look intimidating from the outside, but it doesn't have to be. Here's the friendly way in: what it is, where it came from, and how to start hearing it.
The Best Psychedelic Rock Artists to Know
There's no single centre of this genre. Here are the essential artists, grouped by the scene and sound each one actually belongs to.
A Beginner's Guide to Garage Music
Garage rock, garage house and UK garage are three different traditions sharing one confusing name — here's how to tell them apart.
Essential Funk Music Albums Explained
Funk was built as an album genre. Here are the essential funk albums and recordings, and what to listen for on each.
Ska Music for Newcomers: Where to Start
No theory required. Three records, two things to listen for, and a genuinely practical way into ska for anyone starting from zero.
Reggae Music for Newcomers: Where to Start
No scales, no history lesson required. Just three records, three things to notice, and a straightforward way into reggae for anyone starting from zero.
The Best Reggae Music Artists to Know
No filler, no forced obscurities — the reggae artists, producers and session players who actually built the genre, and what to listen for from each.
The Best Industrial Metal Artists to Know
The Best Cloud Rap Songs Right Now
Essential tracks for understanding cloud rap: from Clams Casino's defining productions and A$AP Rocky's breakthrough to Lil B, Yung Lean and Bones.
Stoner Rock Subgenres, Explained
The genre covers a significant spread from accessible groove-rock to extreme doom. Here is how the main branches work and what distinguishes each one.
Lo Fi Music Subgenres, Explained
Half the terms in this genre get used interchangeably, and that helps nobody. Here's a clear map of the main lo-fi subgenres and how they actually differ.
A Beginner's Guide to Post Rock
Post-rock uses the instruments of a rock band to produce something that sounds nothing like conventional rock. Here is what it is, why it matters and which records to start with.
Funk Music for Newcomers: Where to Start
You don't need theory or a huge back catalogue to enjoy funk. Here's a practical, patient way in.
Krautrock Subgenres, Explained
Krautrock is not one sound — it is five or six different streams sharing a time and a place. This guide maps the subgenres and explains what makes each one distinct.
A Beginner's Guide to Alternative Music
Alternative music spans post-punk, grunge, shoegaze, Britpop and beyond — here's how to find your way in without getting lost.
A Beginner's Guide to Flamenco
Cante, toque, baile, compás and palos, explained simply: everything a newcomer needs to make sense of flamenco before diving deeper.
Dream Pop Subgenres, Explained
From shoegaze to bedroom pop to ambient, here are the subgenres that surround and overlap with dream pop — what separates them and where they connect.
The Best Ragtime Artists to Know
Scott Joplin isn't the whole story. The ragtime composers who built the genre alongside him, and why they deserve to be named just as often.
Bedroom Pop for Newcomers: Where to Start
Where bedroom pop begins depends on who you ask. Here's a path through the genre that moves from the most immediate to the more rewarding, with context at each step.
Cloud Rap for Newcomers: Where to Start
A beginner's guide to cloud rap: what the music sounds like, where to start with artists and albums, what to expect from the lyrics and how to explore the scene.
A Beginner's Guide to Synthwave
A clear, logical introduction to synthwave: its sound, its 1980s roots, its breakthrough moment and its main branches.
The Best Psychedelic Rock Songs Right Now
The individual tracks that show what this genre actually does in a few minutes flat — defining songs, not a passing trend.
Music Genres is filed under
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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
Reggae Music
Reggae music is built on groove, bass and spacious rhythm. Shop gear for warm low end, echo-rich production and live per...
Rock Music
Rock music spans classic riffs, band energy and wide-ranging styles. Discover dependable gear for rehearsal, recording a...
