Spark

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IDM

PUBLISHED Dec 18, 2013

What is it? An abbreviation of Intelligent Dance Music, IDM was originally coined to describe the less four-on-the-floor dance music emergi...

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Post-rock

PUBLISHED Dec 4, 2013

What is it? An umbrella term for a plethora of bands making drum-heavy, long-form instrumental rock music characterised by dynamic volume a...

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Second Wave Emo

PUBLISHED Nov 16, 2013

What is it? Perhaps music's most nebulous term, emo was birthed by '80s DC hardcore. Known for its confessional (some say whiny) lyrics, by...

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Shoegaze

PUBLISHED Aug 22, 2013

What is it? Born in the late 1980s, shoegaze centred on heavily-processed FX pedals, disorientating wall of sound production, soft and whis...

Buzz Meter

PUBLISHED May 27, 2013

Boards of Canada (Pictured) The long-dormant Scottish duo chose a truly nerdy album announcement: slip a few mysterious 12-inches into reco...

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Sophisti-pop

PUBLISHED May 27, 2013

What is it? A slick, expensive studio-produced style of pop heavy on the brass, synthesizers, smooth vocals and sharp, fitted suits. Influe...

Buzz Meter

PUBLISHED Apr 17, 2013

Daft Punk (Pictured) A new album is confirmed, it features Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, Panda Bear and Gonzales, channels Fleetwood Mac an...

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Cloud Rap

PUBLISHED Mar 13, 2013

What is it? Lo-fi, ambient hip-hop featuring unconventional samples, ethereal sounds and a tendency towards slow, blunted delivery. It's ei...