Music is a big part of all our lives, from a preppy beat on the way to class to a slow jazz piece to help us study for a test; music is a big deal. Since it’s such a big deal, wouldn’t it be fair to say that, when it comes to genres, the more, the merrier? So to help speed up the process, here’s a quick guide to a selection of music genres to help you get through the day!
K-POP
Starting off strong with an up-and-coming genre, taking over the world, one band at a time. K-pop fever, also known as the K-pop wave, started with the limitless and effortlessly attractive BTS. Their discography features a range of music from their very own fusion of genres, bound together by their own special flavour. K-pop in itself encompasses various genres, paired with powerful stage performances in top-notch branded outfits. The upbeat sounds make it the perfect way to start your morning, while doing your morning routine or trying to cheer yourself up after a tiring class. To truly feel the K-pop vibe, I’d recommend starting with “Cheer Up” by Twice, “DNA” by BTS, “As If Its Your Last” by Blackpink, and “XO” by Enhypen.
METAL
Aside from the memes and Pinterest aesthetics, I feel like people our age aren’t really in tune with metal. For a quick history lesson, the genre took flight in the midst of the chaotic transition between the 60s and 70s, where bands explored the blues, classical music, and psychedelic rock. With its usual vibe of rebellion, aggression, and distortion, this may not be an everyday sort of genre, but it’s totally effective when you need to let out all your pent-up frustration at the world. So embrace your upcoming metal era and start off with the basics: “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, “Master of Puppets” by Metallica or maybe “In the End” by Linkin Park for a modern twist.
ROCK
Moving on to Rock, a less intense way to enjoy tunes, but just as effective. It’s been everywhere for almost forever, and its cultural impact has somehow led us to connect with our parents too (yes, I bonded over our shared love for Queen with my dad as well), so obviously, it wouldn’t need much of an introduction. Despite its rich history, Rock seems to be thriving more than ever in recent years with Olivia ROCKrigo’s comeback in the song “My Way” on her new album. Arguably, rock seems to be one of the genres that can fit all vibes as a result of its immense collection of sub-genres, ranging from classic, punk, alternative, progressive, psychedelic, and grunge.
R&B
Also known as Rhythm and Blues, this genre was popularized in the 1940s as a well-known music genre created by African Americans in the United States. This genre has been heavily influenced by its time period since its inception; starting with a jazz vibe, it shifted towards rock in the 50s and 60s, followed by a disco flavour in the 70s, fast-forwarding to its current contemporary twist with EDM in the mix. Built around expressive vocals, groove-driven beats, and themes of love, heartbreak, and desire, R&B has stayed relevant through the ages due to its constant evolution and evergreen themes. Imagine winding down after a long day, hanging out with your friends in your room- the perfect vibe for slow R&B like “No Scrubs” by TLC, “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) or “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye.
JAZZ
Similar to R&B, jazz blossomed in the early 1900s in New Orleans; it grew out of African American communities and blended blues, ragtime, and brass band traditions into something entirely new. However, in contrast to R&B, Jazz is known for its improvisation, complex rhythm, and instrumental focus. At its core, Jazz is heavily influenced by improvisation by performers on stage who enjoyed swinging to the rhythm with the crowd and turning cramped rooms into sites of magic with their instruments and voice. Its intimate and groovy mood makes it perfect to help you focus or as a background track to set the mood. Try songs like “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra (with Count Basie), “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong and “Blue Train” by John Coltrane.
PLUG IN THOSE AIRPODS!
Now that you’ve explored a day’s worth of music, go ahead and plug those AirPods in and find your own tunes!