Bubblegum Dance

"Think Nyan Cat, on crack. Basically, it’s music that you cannot dance to without looking like you’re an 8-year-old girl."

A bit of History:

Bubblegum dance is a subgenre of Eurodance music. The genre is characterized by cute lyrics and happy sounds. Bubblegum dance, however, usually has a more pop sound than other Eurodance songs. The lyrics and style are often light-hearted, amusing and cheerful and are not intended to be taken seriously. Bubblegum dance is similar to bubblegum pop music in that they both tend to have fun, childish subjects.

The name "bubblegum dance" was chosen probably because of its similarities with the 1950s pop music, in which the female artists often appeared in photos with a big pink bubblegum balloon in their mouth and exaggerated, wide and colorful skirts. In bubblegum dance tracks, females usually sing the chorus, often in a high-pitched tone. Males often provide rap vocals, which are sung in low tones. Bubblegum dance music is usually described as cheerful, amusing, silly and childish. Euro bubblegum dance originates in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark where a large percentage of bubblegum dance music is produced, the late 1990s and early 2000s marking the high-point in the genera's popularity. Bubblegum dance music can be seen as the transition point between the harder style of music that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s and the happy "teen pop" music that was popular during the early 2000s.

This genera of music has amassed a huge following in Japan, most likely due to its use in popular dance games such as Dance Dance Revolution, In The Groove, and the Dancemania series. Many artists, such as Smile.dk, Bambee, Rebecca and Miss Papaya, have gained recognition and fame through these games. As well as this, anime has a large bubblegum dance following, and many fans choose to use bubblegum dance styled music in their fan-made anime music videos (AMVs).

Opinion :D

Bubblegum Dance is certainly an interesting genre. It's very lighthearted and fun. Though, personally, I would not listen to theis kind of music in my spare time, it's definitely a style of music worth checking out. 

Bibliography: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubblegum_dance

https://medium.com/@mpron/13-weird-musical-genres-you-didnt-know-existed-9a2d0528be3b

Shoegazing

"Shoegazing is described as a subgenre of alternative rock, where the singer stands in a completely non-confrontational, passive state, while singing. In other words, the exact opposite of what a good front man for any other band would do."

A bit of History:

Shoegazing  is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged from the UK in the late 1980s, pioneered by bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Lush, and Slowdive. It lasted until the mid-1990s, with a critical hight reached from 1990–91. The British music press named this style "shoegazing" because the musicians in these bands stood still during live performances in a detached and non-confrontational state, hence the idea that they were gazing at their shoes. The heavy use of effects pedals also contributed to performers looking down at their feet during concerts.The shoegazing sound is expressed by a significant use of guitar effects, and indistinguishable vocal melodies that blend into the creative noise of the guitars. In the early 1990s, shoegazing groups were pushed aside by the American grunge movement and early Britpop acts, forcing the relatively unknown bands to break up or reinvent their style altogether.

Common musical elements of shoegazing consist of distorted, droning riffs and a "wall of sound" from noisy guitars. Typically, two distorted rhythm guitars are played together to give a formless quality to the sound. Although lead guitar riffs were often present, they were not the central focus of most shoegazing songs. Vocals are typically subdued in volume and tone, but a strong sense of melody generally exists underneath the layers of guitars. However, lyrics are not emphasized, nor are the vocals. While the genres that influenced shoegazing often used drum machines, shoegazing more often featured live drumming.The name was created when the singer of the newly formed band, " Moose" read lyrics taped to the floor throughout the concert. The term was picked up by the NME, who used it as a reference to the tendency of the bands' guitarists to stare at their feet—or their effects pedals—while playing, seemingly deep in concentration.

Opinion :D
I find it interesting that people would pay to go and watch someone stare at their shoes for a few hours. I think concerts are the band's chance to put on a show, interact with their fans and have fun. What's the fun in watching awkwardly as some guy mumbles into a microphone whilst looking downward at the floor as though in mourning? Though I understand there's a somewhat symbolical meaning behind all of it, I personally would not pay to go to a shoegazing concert.

Biblyography: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-most-unusual-music-genres.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazing

Chiptune

A Bit of History:

Chiptune, also known as chip music or 8-bit music, is synthesized electronic music made by the sound chips of vintage computers, video game consoles, and arcade machines. In the early 1980s, PCs became less expensive and more accessible than they had previously been. This led to a rise in outdated PCs and gaming consoles that had been scraped by consumers as they upgraded to newer machines. While it has been a mostly underground genre, chiptune has had periods of relative popularity in the 1980s and 21st century, and has influenced the development of electronic dance music.


The earliest precursors to chip music can be found in the early history of computer music. In 1951, the computers CSIRAC and Ferranti Mark 1 were used to perform synthesized digital music in public. One of the earliest commercial computer music albums came from the First Philadelphia Computer Music Festival, held August 25, 1978, as part of the Personal Computing '78 show. The First Philadelphia Computer Music Festival recordings were published by Creative Computing in 1979.

Chiptune music began to appear within video games  during the golden age of video arcade games. An early example was the opening tune in Tomohiro Nishikado's arcade game Gun Fight (1975). The first video game to use a continuous background soundtrack was Tomohiro Nishikado's 1978 release Space Invaders, which had four simple chromatic descending bass notes repeating in a loop, increasing pace as the enemies descended on the player. The first video game to feature continuous melodic background music was Rally-X, an arcade game released by Namco in 1980, featuring a simple tune that repeated itself continuously during gameplay.


Opinion :D
In my opinion, chiptune is a relatively good style of music. It's very retro and has an interesting sound. It's very interesting to hear popular songs from nowadays turned into chiptune versions. I find it awesome that our generation can see chiptune as a glimpse of the past.


Bibliography:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiptune

Spacesynth

I imagine aliens dance to this.

So groovy, man.

A bit of History:

Spacesynth, or Space Disco is the combination of disco music with futuristic themes, sounds and visuals. It became popular around 1976-1977. The main theme behind the music is the exploration of outer space by humans. Many bands often included robotic shapes, laser illumination and computer screens in their live performances. The artists themselves often dressed in a somewhat futuristic manner. Upon reaching Eastern Europe after 1980, the futuristic act was mainly abandoned as many socialist state authorities often denied access to the stage for "inappropriately" dressed artists. Many bands began performing at open-music events and festivals to avoid political suppression.


Spacesynth was very popular in Europe between 1977–1979. Artists that contributed to this music style include Meco, Cerrone, Sarah Brightman, Didier Marouani & Space, Ganymed and Sheila B. Devotion.The genre spread fast in Germany with the help of Musikladen, a music show produced by the German channel NDR. Other associations are also drawn between the popularity of Star Wars (released mid-1977), and the subsequent surge in interest in science fiction and space themes in popular culture.


Facts and Criticism:

Unfortunately, I could not find any facts on this genre. Criticism, however, is just like any other style of music. Some love it, some hate it.


Opinion:D

This style is certainly interesting. Personally, I don't mind this music at all. Of course, some space-disco songs are better than others. But, for the most part, I enjoy this music and would listen to it in my free time. I also find it very interesting that the style ended up being targeted by politics and authorities.


Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_disco

Vaporwave

 It's kinda hard to explain. Lemme just show it to you.

Uh... It's very creative XD

A bit of History:

Vaporwave is a musical genre that emerged in the early 2010s from indie dance genres such as seapunk, bounce house, or chillwave.  Although there is much ambiguity in its attitude and message, Vaporwave often serves as both a review and parody of consumerist society, '80s yuppie culture and New Age music. It was first characterized by its heavy use of music samples from '80s and '90s music. Usually lounge, smooth jazz or Muzak. Samples are most often pitched, layered or altered in classic chopped and screwed style.

Visual imagery associated with vaporwave includes things like glitch art, Renaissance sculptures, 90s web design and outmoded computer renderings. Use of Japanese characters and other non western symbols are also prominent. 

Facts and Criticism:

Vaporwave has been interpreted as a dystopian critique of capitalism.

Christian Ward of Stylus.com said that "vaporwave is a reflection of soulless techno-corporatism."

Some people love this style while others find it confusing, if not outright creepy. 

Opinion :D

When I first heard Vaporwave, my reaction was along the lines of "....wat." I found it confusing and odd. After researching a bit for this project, I began to grasp the ideas behind it. Though I wouldn't listen to this in my free time, I still think Vaporwave is an interesting and psychedelic. 

Bibliography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporwave

Tuvan Throat Singing

Most people can sing one note at a time, but these people can sing clear, multiple notes at once!

Back TUVA Future: Ondar in Vladivostok

A Bit of History:
The Art of Mongolian Throat singing  reaches very far back, and seems to have arisen because of the geographic location. The open plains of Mongolia allows for the sound to carry a great distance. The world view of this region identifies the spirituality of things in nature, not just in their shape or place, but in their sound as well. Human mimicry of the sounds in nature is seen as the root of throat singing. An example is the Mongolian story of the waterfall above the Buyan Gol or "Deer River", where mysterious harmonic sounds are said to have attracted deer to bask in the waters, and where harmonic sounds were first revealed to people. Often, singers will even travel far into the countryside, looking for the right environment  for throat singing. 

While the many cultures of this region share throat singing, their styles differ in width of development.


Facts and Criticism:
Women have started to throat sing, since the superstitions of female throat singing are slowly being abolished.

 Tuvan throat singing is sort of similar to another ancient form of vocal polyphony that is practiced by the Sardinian, called cantu a tenore. 

Criticism varies, with some people claiming it sounds awesome to to others saying it sounds like complete garbage. 


Opinion :D
 Personally, I think it's pretty cool how people have blended Tuvan throat singing with modern-ish sounding styles. However, I think the culture and origins of throat singing are pretty awesome, and they should definitely be regarded with respect no matter your opinion on how the music itself sounds.

Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvan_throat_singing

Kongar-Ol Ondar - Tuva Groove

Fantasy Metal

SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE SINGING SYMPHONIC METAL. THIS IS A THING. 

THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL.

            *Ahem* Sorry for that. But as a Metal and LoTR fan, this video makes me so happy.

A bit of History

*"Fantasy metal is a less-popular alias for Epic metal, both tags refer to the metal bands with fantastic or mythological lyrical themes."

As said in the quote, Fantasy/Epic metal is a sub-genre of the popular style of Metal, who's songs and lyrics dabble in magic, fantasy and mythology. It's never been very popular (only among the most hardcore of nerds, whoo!), but has always been well rooted in the underground community with a small fan base and a few record labels. 

Fantasy/Epic Metal originated in the late seventies and eighties in America and Europe. It apparently got its name when Mark Shelton, leader of the band Manilla Road was asked the question of what type of music his band plays, and he replied "Epic metal."

Facts and Criticism

A lot of Fantasy metal bands are neck-deep in Tolkien lore.

Tons of mainstream Metal bands have touched the Fantasy Metal genre at least once (Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Rush...)

Of course, plenty of people think this genre of music is goofy and bad because they're too uncultured after listening to their rap and hip hop to know good music. Haters Gonna Hate! 

Opinion :D

Probably one of my favorite genres of music. I find it interesting that Metal, a music usually thrashy, dark and "hardcore," can be influenced so much by themes that are usually considered "nerdy."

Bibliography 

*Here's where I got the quote: http://www.last.fm/tag/fantasy%20metal

The wiki was in Spanish and the translation was pretty rough. It was really hard to try and fish out information that made sense >.<: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_metal

Whoo!