When it comes to music, mainstream hits and chart-topping genres often dominate our playlists. Pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music get the lion’s share of the spotlight, while countless other genres—some centuries old—go underappreciated. But these underrated music styles carry rich traditions, deep stories, and captivating sounds that can broaden your musical horizons. In this article, we’ll dive into the most underrated music genres you should explore, shedding light on their history, unique characteristics, and why they deserve a place in your library.
Folk Fusion
While traditional folk music has seen occasional revivals in mainstream music, folk fusion remains largely overshadowed. This genre blends regional folk traditions with contemporary styles like rock, pop, jazz, or electronic music, creating a captivating mix of old and new.
For example, artists like Nitin Sawhney and Anoushka Shankar have experimented with blending Indian folk music with jazz and electronic beats, resulting in a sound that’s both rooted and modern. In Europe, bands like Afro Celt Sound System fuse Celtic melodies with African rhythms and electronic textures, creating a truly global soundscape.
Why explore it? Folk fusion offers a window into the cultural diversity of our world while connecting us with our musical heritage. It’s a genre that respects tradition yet isn’t afraid to innovate, making it perfect for curious listeners.
Shoegaze
Emerging in the late 1980s and early 1990s, shoegaze is a subgenre of alternative rock that envelops listeners in lush, atmospheric soundscapes. Bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Lush pioneered this genre with their ethereal vocals, heavy use of guitar effects, and dreamlike melodies.
Despite its influence on later genres like dream pop and post-rock, shoegaze remains relatively niche. Its name, derived from performers’ habit of staring at their pedalboards while playing, belies the genre’s emotional depth and textural complexity.
Why explore it? Shoegaze offers a sonic experience like no other. Its dense, swirling guitars and haunting vocals create an immersive world that’s perfect for introspection, relaxation, or even getting lost in your thoughts.
Afrobeat
Though artists like Fela Kuti and Tony Allen helped popularize Afrobeat in the 1970s, this genre still flies under the radar for many listeners. Combining traditional West African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife, Afrobeat is characterized by complex polyrhythms, powerful horn sections, and socially conscious lyrics.
Modern artists like Seun Kuti, Antibalas, and even Beyoncé (through her The Lion King: The Gift album) have drawn inspiration from Afrobeat, but it remains overshadowed by mainstream pop and hip-hop.
Why explore it? Afrobeat is infectious, uplifting, and deeply political. Its grooves are irresistible, and its messages about social justice and unity resonate strongly in today’s world. If you’re looking for music that makes you dance while making you think, Afrobeat is a must-listen.
Bluegrass
Often dismissed as “country music’s cousin,” bluegrass is an American genre that deserves far more recognition. Rooted in Appalachian folk traditions, bluegrass features acoustic instruments like the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. It’s characterized by fast tempos, intricate picking, and tight harmonies.
Artists like Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, and Alison Krauss have elevated bluegrass to an art form, but its mainstream visibility remains limited. Bluegrass is often stereotyped or overshadowed by more commercially successful country and pop acts.
Why explore it? Bluegrass showcases incredible musicianship and heartfelt storytelling. Its improvisational jams and lightning-fast picking rival the technical prowess found in jazz or classical music. For those who appreciate raw talent and authenticity, bluegrass is a hidden gem.
Ambient Music
Ambient music might seem like background noise to some, but this genre offers a profound listening experience when given the chance. Pioneered by artists like Brian Eno, ambient music focuses on creating atmospheric soundscapes rather than traditional song structures.
From minimalist drones to lush, layered textures, ambient music invites listeners to lose themselves in sound. Modern artists like Stars of the Lid, Tim Hecker, and Julianna Barwick continue to push the genre’s boundaries.
Why explore it? Ambient music is perfect for relaxation, meditation, studying, or even sleeping. But it’s more than just “chill music”—it’s an invitation to explore sound as an art form. Its subtlety rewards patience, making it a deeply rewarding genre for attentive listeners.
Cumbia
Originating in Colombia, cumbia is a dance-driven genre that blends Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences. Its infectious rhythms, usually driven by percussion and accordion, make it a staple at celebrations across Latin America. Yet outside of Latin music circles, cumbia often takes a back seat to reggaeton, salsa, or bachata.
Artists like Totó la Momposina and Los Ángeles Azules have helped bring cumbia to wider audiences, but it still deserves more global recognition.
Why explore it? Cumbia’s rhythms are impossible to resist. It’s joyful, communal, and steeped in cultural history. Exploring cumbia connects you to the heart of Latin America’s musical traditions and the stories of its people.
Tuvan Throat Singing
One of the most unique genres on this list is Tuvan throat singing, an ancient vocal tradition from the Central Asian region of Tuva. Singers use specialized techniques to produce multiple notes simultaneously, creating harmonics that sound otherworldly.
Groups like Huun-Huur-Tu and Alash Ensemble have brought this tradition to international audiences, often blending it with modern instrumentation or collaborating with Western artists. Still, it remains a niche genre for adventurous listeners.
Why explore it? Tuvan throat singing is an extraordinary demonstration of the human voice’s capabilities. It offers a window into the spiritual and natural world of nomadic cultures and challenges our understanding of what music can be.
Highlife
Hailing from Ghana, highlife is a lively, guitar-driven genre that blends African rhythms with Western jazz and swing. Popularized in the mid-20th century by artists like E.T. Mensah, highlife has influenced countless other African music styles, including Afrobeat and hiplife.
Despite its rich history, highlife often takes a backseat to more globally recognized genres like reggae and Afrobeat.
Why explore it? Highlife is vibrant, celebratory, and brimming with joy. Its melodies and rhythms are instantly infectious, offering a soundtrack that’s perfect for dancing, parties, or simply celebrating life.
Conclusion: A World of Sound Awaits
In a world dominated by mainstream pop, rock, and hip-hop, it’s easy to overlook the incredible diversity of music that exists beyond the charts. Exploring underrated genres like folk fusion, shoegaze, Afrobeat, bluegrass, ambient, cumbia, Tuvan throat singing, and highlife can open your ears—and your heart—to new rhythms, stories, and cultures.
These genres challenge our perceptions of what music can be. They remind us that music is a universal language, capable of bridging divides and connecting us to our shared humanity. By stepping outside your musical comfort zone, you not only enrich your own listening experience but also support the artists who keep these traditions alive.
So the next time you’re scrolling through your favorite streaming service or flipping through records at your local shop, take a chance on something different. Dive into the underrated, and let the music surprise you.
