Folktronica
This genre is pretty self-explanatory. Artists who create folktronica music combine elements of both folk and electronic music. Though there aren’t many artists who specialise only in this particular genre, artists who work in related musical genres often come up with folktronica songs. So, if you do enjoy folk music but would like to give a more upbeat version a try, check out some folktronica artists, including Bibio, alt-J, Juana Molina, etc.
Kawaii Metal
If you have been attentively watching anime for a while, you must have certainly listened to your fair share of Japanese music. You might even have your favourites from Japanese pop. But what if your love for heavy metal could be combined with J-pop? This is how Kawaii Metal was born. The vocals are extremely melodious but played over typical metal instruments and music. The result is something quite bizarre but enjoyable. This genre only originated in the 2010s and heavily features Japanese idols aesthetics.
Some of the best-known Kawaii metal bands include Babymetal, Deadlift Lolita, Passcode, etc.
Vaporwave
Even if you have not listened to vaporwave music, you must have come across the art form of the same name. Both these are deeply interwoven and rely heavily on elements from the 1990s. Vaporwave art is often a mandatory part of the musical experience.
The music is heavily electronic and features sounds from the bygone era. Many vaporwave artists sample music from the 1980s and ‘90s while including sounds that were part of the emerging phenomenon of the internet and computers. Check out Blank Banshee, James Ferraro, Yung Bae, etc., if you would like to listen to music from this particular genre.
Cloud rap
Rap music has undergone numerous transformations throughout the years. This specific rap genre is not hard-hitting and is much more relaxed. The instruments that surround the verse give these pieces a dream-like quality. If you are in search of a musical genre that combines lo-fi music and rap, Cloud rap is the way to go.
Popular cloud rap artists include Lil B, Bones, Yung Lean, etc.
Shoegaze
The genre of shoegaze emerged in the 1980s, and its songs are characterised by distorted guitar notes, other unknown sounds, and a lot of volume and even feedback. This curious name came to be due to the artists who stood still and stared down onstage. Though you might see shoegaze used as a synonym for dream pop, these genres are pretty different.
Some of the best Shoegaze artists include Lush, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, etc.
Though dream pop and shoegaze are used as interchangeable terms, there are perceptible differences between the two genres. Dream pop isn’t as harsh as shoegaze and places a bigger emphasis on the melody of the songs. Dream pop songs tend to deal with existential and introspective topics with characteristic vocals. Some of the biggest dream pop bands include Cigarettes after sex, Beach House, Mazzy Star, The Velvet Underground, etc.
Settle down with a good dream pop band and dim your lights for a relaxing night.
Witch House
We need an eerie genre to complete the list, and Witch House meets all the requirements. This genre came to be towards the late 2000s and can be characterised by the various jarring sounds used. As is evident from the name, the genre derives inspiration from witchcraft and other horror-related myths. The sounds used in these songs are chopped, sometimes industrial, and the music often combines various genres such as shoegaze, goth, drone, etc. The artists do not forget to include bizarre visuals to accompany their unique musical pieces. If you are looking to spend a night immersed in music that reminds you of horror, check out White Ring, Picture Plane, or Salem.
Summing up
There are more than a thousand musical genres in the world, and the obscure ones listed here mostly come from the West. If you are in search of even more unfamiliar musical genres, checkout songs made in foreign countries. Though pop songs have certainly influenced music around the world, you can still find some genres you never knew existed.