Music is full of surprises, and while we often think of genres like pop, rock, or hip-hop, there are countless sub-genres hiding in plain sight. Some of these categories sound bizarre at first, but chances are you’ve already listened to them without realizing it. Here are five weird music genres you might already be familiar with, even if you didn’t know their names.
Chillwave
If you’ve ever relaxed to dreamy, lo-fi beats with nostalgic 1980s vibes, you’ve likely enjoyed chillwave. This genre blends soft synths, reverb-heavy vocals, and mellow rhythms to create a hazy, atmospheric sound. Artists like Washed Out and Toro y Moi brought chillwave into the mainstream, making it a staple on playlists for studying, lounging, or late-night drives.
Math Rock
This genre might sound intimidating, but you don’t need to be a math genius to appreciate it. Math rock is a style of indie rock characterized by complex, irregular time signatures and intricate guitar riffs. Bands like Foals and Battles have popularized this sound, and if you’ve ever been drawn to off-kilter, technical rock music, you’ve dipped your toes into math rock territory.
Vaporwave
Vaporwave is as much a visual aesthetic as it is a music genre. Known for its surreal, retro-futuristic feel, it features slowed-down samples of elevator music, 1980s pop, and corporate jingles. It’s often paired with glitchy graphics and pastel colors. Even if you haven’t heard of vaporwave by name, tracks from artists like Macintosh Plus have probably popped up in your internet browsing or meme adventures.
Folktronica
As the name suggests, folktronica combines the acoustic, earthy feel of folk music with electronic beats and textures. Think of artists like The Books or Four Tet, who seamlessly merge traditional instruments with digital production. If you love indie music that’s both organic and futuristic, you’ve probably listened to folktronica without realizing it.
Post-Rock
You might have enjoyed post-rock if you’re a fan of cinematic, instrumental music that builds slowly to emotional crescendos. This genre focuses on atmosphere and texture over traditional song structures. Bands like Explosions in the Sky and Sigur Rós are iconic in the post-rock scene, and their tracks often find their way into movie soundtracks and dramatic TV moments.
Music is always evolving, and genres often overlap in fascinating ways. So next time you hit play on your favorite playlist, take a closer listen—you might be enjoying something far weirder (and cooler) than you ever expected.
