Top 10 Most Obscure Music Genres, Explained

Top 10 Most Obscure Music Genres Explained

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the most hyper-specific, under-the-radar genres of musicand what exactly they entail.

With TikToks influence on modern trends, its no surprise that the platform has shaped music as well. With roots in nostalgia and mental illness, corecore is the ultimate symbol of Generation Z. Its a satirical response to the amount of hyper specific trends that constantly cycle, serving as the antithesis of that concept. When listening to the songs accompanying these videos, its nearly impossible not to be swept away in the ambient, melancholic soundscape. The listener is practically absorbed in a wave of wistfulness as each track progresses. Its a perfect blend of genuine emotion and a dark, ironic sense of humorcreating an aesthetic we hope wont pass.

Some genres are satire all the way down to their very core. Perhaps the best example of this is chap hop. This musical style, popularized in the 2000s, comes from across the pond, and is the very definition of tongue-in-cheek. Its essentially rap if it was created by the most posh person you know, with lyrics centered around stereotypical British topics and politics. Its a delightful parody of both their own culture and hip-hop as a whole, without punching down on either. However, dont be fooled by the themes. Each song is still packed with impressively witty lyricism and interesting productionsome with quirky instruments like the banjolele that you would never see in the traditional craft.

It isnt easy subverting the expectations of two seemingly opposite styles. Metal is traditionally characterized by its aggressive sounds and imageryand J-pop by the exact opposite traits. Youd think the two would never be able to blend well togetherbut kawaii metal is proof that they can. First gaining popularity in the 2010s, it soon became a global phenomenon. It takes the wholesome lyricism of the Eastern genre and pairs it with an intense, guitar-laden instrumental typically found in Western regions. The combination is so unexpectedly good that itll have even the biggest thrashers head banging alongwithout being called a poser.

The Internet has been vital in the spread of several obscure genresbut some were created far before its widespread usage. Though shoegaze existed before the term was coined, it was first officially introduced in the late 1980s. The name derives from musicians staring down at their pedals while performing, which has become a defining marker of the style. Its made to be intentionally discordant, pairing dreamy vocals with harsh, distorted instrumentals. Each element blends together into a cacophony of sound, all while managing to not become overwhelming to listen to. After a lull in popularity thanks to the rise of grunge in the 1990s, it started to build itself back up in the 2010s.

Despite what the name suggests, you probably wont hear any of these tracks at the clublike you would traditional house music. Instead, youre much more likely to hear the stylings of witch house artists at underground venues, or perhaps at your local occult meet-up. Its characterized by its darker, gothic melodies overlaid with trap beats, with plenty of vocal and instrumental distortion to top it off. It first came to prominence in the early 2010s and soon became popular online. Despite its rise, those creating it go out of their way to remain relatively unknown by incorporating hard-to-type symbols in their titles. If you do happen to find one, then youre in for the sonic ride of your life.

Though it wasnt played on the radio, vaporwave still came to define a whole era of the 2010s. The Internet struck again with the widespread usage of vaporwave in videos and memes. Its steeped in nostalgia, with both the visual and sonic aspects being inspired by art of the past. Taking classic sounds found in jazz and elevator music and pairing them with aesthetically-pleasing 1990s-inspired designs and Roman statues, the artists behind the tunes were able to connect to an entire generation of web users. Its a melting pot of well-known references, even spawning subgenres like Simpsonswave that are centered around iconic cultural touch points. Even though its faded from popularity, vaporwaves impact cant be overlooked.

If you've ever wondered what the musical equivalent of an anxiety attack would sound like, then this is for you. Splittercore takes the concept of speedcore and dials it up to the maximum. Each song has a BPMor beats-per-minuteof at least 600, with some even climbing up to 1,000. Its no wonder why its often compared to heavy artillery being fired. Splittercore was introduced in the 1990s following the unexpected popularity of its predecessor, leading to some listeners wanting more. Each song is pure chaos in melodic form, and practically made to be as sonically abrasive as possible. Despite that, it still has an infectious quality to it that makes it practically impossible not to thrash along to.

The existence of both lowercase and splittercore is proof that even the most extreme styles can find a loyal audience. Lowercase is the very antithesis of splittercore, as it centers around a softer, minimalist approach. Its primarily made using objects most people overlook when making music, from paper to a simple feedback loop. The result is a series of almost unnaturally quiet piecesand is a direct response to the sonic overload occurring in the mainstream scene. It requires those listening to slow down and truly take in what theyre hearing, rather than just experience it at face-level. Lowercase redefined what music can be by breaking away from all previous molds.

This is the musical version of the chicken-and-egg adage. The question of whether goblincore came first or if it was inspired by the music that defines it is still unansweredbut one thing we know is that its not going anywhere. Born from a deep appreciation for the less-celebrated aspects of the environment, its folk-inspired sound has helped it become one of the most prominent subgenres of the 2020s. Goblincore evokes feelings of being out in nature and experiencing the world for what it iseven the parts that arent the most traditionally beautiful. This could be why it saw a surge of popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listening to goblincore is akin to living in a fantasy world, and we cant get enough.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Combines Instruments & Non-conventional Objects to Create a Unique Sonic Experience

The Usage of Abnormal Rhythms & Melodies Keeps Listeners on Their Toes

Utilizes Malfunctioning Equipment & Turns It Into Something Beautiful

A Quirky & Masterful Tribute to the Beloved Science-Fiction Series Doctor Who

An Unexpectedly Perfect Blend of Intense Heavy Metal & 8-Bit Sound Bites

Youd think that a genre designed to fit as many notes as possible into a single song would be too much. Yet, black MIDI artists manage to make each chaotic piece sound like a stroke of musical genius. Inspired by traditional performers like Frank Zappa crafting complicated songs, black MIDI strives to do the same with modern technology. Its created using a Musical Instrument Digital Interfaceor MIDI, for shortwhich allows you to convert a seemingly standard keyboard into a one-man electronic band. Each track is stuffed to the brim with a slew of notes, with some hitting over a million. Despite its maximalist nature, it still manages to remain coherent, with some even sounding akin to a modern-day symphony.

Which esoteric music genre is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!