Ever wondered who’s in charge of naming music genres? I mean, who decided Butt Rock was a legitimate term? In this post, we’re diving deep into the strangest, most ridiculous, and downright baffling genre names ever conceived.

1: Skweee

Taking the top spot, we have a genre whose name literally tries to mimic its own sound—Skweee. If you’ve ever stepped on a squeaky floorboard or heard a rubber duck in distress, you’re already halfway to understanding what Skweee music is all about.

Born in the Nordic regions of Europe, this glitchy, offbeat electronic genre is packed with squelchy synths, wobbly tones, and minimalistic beats, all wrapped up in a delightfully lo-fi, toy keyboard aesthetic.

2: Lowercase

Despite what the name suggests, Lowercase has nothing to do with typography—but everything to do with being really quiet. It’s a genre where the case is made for extremely low volumes. So low in fact that you might not even realize you’re listening to music. Think faint rustling, distant hums, and the softest sounds imaginable—perfect for those who find regular ambient music just too loud and in your face.

3: Butt Rock

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when hard rock downs a protein shake and takes charge of a power drill, you get Butt Rock. This testosterone-fueled rock & roll manifestation is loud, obnoxious, and obsessed with being as masculine as possible. With all the subtlety of a jackhammer, If this genre were a time and a place, it would be Spring Break in Florida.

4: Dungeon Synth

Making the perfect soundtrack to an eight-hour Dungeons and Dragons marathon, this genre conjures up a world of forgotten realms and mist-covered castles. Dark, ambient synths that evoke mystery and melancholy are very much the order of the day. The tempo of Dungeon Synth tends to be slow, driven by pulsating and brooding synth sounds and drum textures.

5: Shoegaze

Shoegaze doesn’t refer to a secret foot obsession, but instead to the musicians who, heads down, focus intently on their pedals during live performances. This was the visual cue for the genre, which features a dense blend of reverb, guitar distortion, and vocals that feel like they’re floating in a dreamy haze.

6: Zeuhl

This one really is an obscure genre inspired by French jazzy Prog Rock outfit Magma. (Snooker legend Steve Davis’s favourite band) It blends elements of jazz, opera, and avant-garde influences, creating an otherworldly, hypnotic experience that feels like a musical ritual. Complex rhythms, chanted vocals, and intense, almost tribal energy are all staple elements. Certainly not the sort of music you would expect to hear piped in your local supermarket.

7: Japanoise

This might be my favourite bit of genre-based wordplay on the list. As you’d guess, Japanoise hails from Japan and is noisy—very noisy in fact! Forget melody and rhythm; it’s all about pure, chaotic, abrasive sound. Not for the faint-hearted, if you can make it through the sonic onslaught of Japanoise, you’re probably ready for anything in the music world.

8: Brostep

Imagine Dubstep with even more bass and energy—enter Brostep. Sounding like the pumped-up-on-steroids big brother of dubstep, Brostep is one for young lads craving maximum bass in their face. Forget subtlety or finesse, Brostep is all about massive drops that present a real risk of blowing out club PA system.

9: Witch House

Not to be confused with Which House??? (a form of house music that doesn’t quite fit any category) this genre would almost certainly be the ‘in-broomstick stereo’ choice for any self-respecting witch off to an illegal rave. Witch House gained popularity around the early 2010s, with its peak spanning 2010 to 2012. It is a heady mix of dark, atmospheric electronic music, and elements of shoegaze, all defined by an eerie, haunting vibe. All accompanied by a heavy use of horror imagery.

10: BackPack Rap

Finally, we turn our attention to Hip-Hop and the ‘BackPack’ style of Hip-Hop. This genre is synonymous with the 90’s boom-bap sound and its undeniable love for… well, backpacks. The term backpack rap had slightly nerdy college student connotations setting it apart from the more street style of Hip-Hop. Never has a fashion accessory been so implicit in the definition of a particular music camp.

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