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"Swinging Through Dimensions: Exploring the Spectacular 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Album"

July 31, 2023

In a dazzling display of creativity and musical prowess, the "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" album has taken the world by storm ever since it came out in June 2023. This remarkable soundtrack...

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Selena Gomez: A Unique Popstar

July 31, 2023

Selena Gomez, the multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and actress, has undoubtedly shown her role in the music industry. With her captivating voice, relatable lyrics, and...

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Lana Del Rey’s Unique Music Style

July 31, 2023

In a sea of modern-day artists, Lana Del Rey stands out like a rare gem. With her hauntingly soulful voice and captivating lyrics, she has carved out a niche for herself in the music industry...

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Soundscapes: The Powerful Relationship Between Music and Our Feelings

July 31, 2023

Music has the remarkable power to connect with our emotions, taking us on a rollercoaster ride of feelings and sensations. Whether it's a heartwarming melody that brings tears...

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Treasure Drop 2nd Album 'Reboot'

July 31, 2023

The long-awaited album is officially out! Treasure has released their second full-length album, 'Reboot,' in which they show-off improved versions of themselves. The album's vibrant title track...

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Kendrick Lamar - A Modern Musical Genius

July 28, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern music, Kendrick Lamar stands out as a true musical genius. With a unique blend of deep and meaningful lyrics, masterful storytelling...

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Justin Bieber Sells His Share of Song Rights for $200 million

July 28, 2023

The Canadian pop star sells his share of rights to his music to Hipnosis Songs Capital for just over $200 million. He has sold some of his biggest hit songs, such as Baby and Sorry...

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Re-recording Taylor Swift's “Speak Now”

July 28, 2023

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has been taking the music world with her re-recorded albums. Among these highly anticipated re-releases is "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)"...

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Powfu: The Rising Star of Lo-fi Hip-hop

July 25, 2023

There are always new artists emerging in the hip-hop scene that have unique and captivating sounds. Powfu, born Isaiah Faber, grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and has been gathering a large fanbase...

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How Yoko Kanno Brilliantly Made the Soundtrack of Netflix's Cowboy Bebop

July 21, 2023

When it comes to anime soundtracks, there are plenty of contenders, but one stands tall above the rest – Cowboy Bebop. Released in 1998, this genre-defying space western captivated audiences...

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NewJeans Drop 2nd EP ‘Get Up’

July 23, 2023

NewJeans is a girl-group composed of 5 members, Hanni, Minji, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein. Newjeans debuted in 2022 with their EP 'NewJeans,' bringing a totally new attitude to the K-pop industry...

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Billie Eilish joins ‘Barbie’ hype with new release ‘What was I made for?’

July 21, 2023

The upcoming 'Barbie' film, scheduled for release on July 21st, has captured the hearts of fans who have long admired the animated Barbie films. Greta Girwig's live-action remake of the famous film...

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How to Find Your Genre: Narrowing Down Your Sound and Streamlining Your Music Creation Process

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When you're creating music on your own, it can be tough to define your style, especially with so many genres and influences out there. You might feel like you’re trying to piece together a puzzle without knowing what the final picture looks like. Narrowing down your genre can make the process of learning and making music smoother, helping you focus your efforts.

Many famous musicians faced this same struggle, but by experimenting, reflecting on their influences, and honing their craft, they found their sound. Here’s how you can do the same:

1. Experiment with Different Styles

Before narrowing down to a specific genre, it’s important to explore different styles and see what resonates with you. Don’t be afraid to experiment across genres to find where your sound naturally fits. Often, your style will emerge organically through trial and error.

What You Can Do:

  • Create Genre-Specific Demos: Dedicate time to create a few demos in completely different genres, like rock, hip-hop, electronic, or even classical. Experiment with different beats, instruments, and vocals in each.
  • Use Music Production Software to Explore: Tools like DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) come with genre-based presets for instruments, drum kits, and loops. Try producing a track using these presets to understand the vibe of different genres.
  • Blend Genres: Many artists create hybrid genres by blending elements from multiple styles. You might find that your sound sits between two genres, which can make your music unique.

Example: Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) began his music career experimenting with genres like hip-hop and electronic, but his 2016 album Awaken, My Love! saw him shift to a funk and soul-inspired sound. By trying different styles, he found his unique voice in an unexpected place.

2. Reflect on Your Influences

One of the easiest ways to narrow down your genre is to reflect on the music you listen to and admire. What artists and sounds are you naturally drawn to? These preferences can help guide your genre choice.

What You Can Do:

  • Identify Your Favorite Artists: Make a list of your top 5-10 favorite musicians or bands. Pay attention to their genres and styles—are there any commonalities?
  • Analyze Their Music: Break down the songs you love. Focus on elements like tempo, lyrics, instrumentation, and mood. This can help you figure out what elements you want to bring into your own music.
  • Explore Your Influences’ Genres: Once you have a list of your favorite artists, start exploring their subgenres. You may find that their work incorporates more niche genres like ambient, indie-pop, or trap, which could be the direction you want to take.

Example: Bruno Mars initially began his career as a producer, but after reflecting on his influences like Prince, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, he found his sound in funk, pop, and R&B. His ability to draw from his idols while maintaining his individuality helped him create chart-topping hits.

3. Listen to Your Own Music Objectively

Another important step is to listen to the music you’ve already made. Sometimes, your genre might be hiding within the work you’ve already created. Review your past projects with an objective ear and analyze what sound seems to come naturally.

What You Can Do:

  • Categorize Your Songs: Take the music you’ve made so far and categorize it into different genres or moods. Do certain tracks lean towards a specific style?
  • Ask for Feedback: Sometimes, others can more easily identify your genre than you can. Play your tracks for friends, fellow musicians, or even online communities and ask what genre they think your music fits into.
  • Find Patterns in Your Music: Look for recurring themes in your tracks, such as tempo, instrumentation, or lyrical content. These patterns can reveal the genre that feels most natural to you.

Example: Tyler, The Creator often blurs genre lines with his music, but by looking back at his earlier work, he noticed that his sound often blended hip-hop with jazz and R&B. This reflection helped him craft albums like IGOR, which embraced a more refined and focused genre.

4. Follow Your Emotional Connection

Genres aren’t just about technical aspects—they also come from an emotional connection. The genre that resonates with you emotionally is likely the one you’ll excel at the most. Pay attention to how certain music makes you feel and use that as a guide.

What You Can Do:

  • Notice Your Emotional Response: As you listen to different genres, notice how each one makes you feel. If one genre makes you feel more inspired or connected, that might be the one to pursue.
  • Tap into Your Personal Story: Think about the messages or themes you want to express through your music. Some genres lend themselves more naturally to certain emotions, such as punk for rebellion, blues for introspection, or pop for fun and energy.

Example: Adele built her career by tapping into her emotional connection with soul and pop music. Her ability to channel personal experiences into relatable ballads like Someone Like You solidified her place in the pop-soul genre.

5. Trust the Process and Evolve

Discovering your genre doesn’t have to happen overnight. It’s a journey that can evolve as you grow as a musician. Don’t rush the process—sometimes, your genre will reveal itself over time.

What You Can Do:

  • Allow Your Sound to Evolve: Your genre might shift as you gain experience and learn new production techniques. Embrace these changes and stay open to evolving your sound.
  • Keep Creating: The more music you make, the clearer your genre will become. Even if you feel lost at times, every track you produce is a step toward refining your style.

Example: Kanye West has famously evolved throughout his career, experimenting with everything from traditional hip-hop on The College Dropout to electronic and experimental sounds on Yeezus. His genre evolution didn’t happen overnight—it grew as his music developed.

Finding your genre is a natural part of the creative process, and it doesn’t have to be rushed. By exploring different styles, reflecting on your influences, analyzing your own music, and following your emotional connection, you’ll gradually discover the genre that fits your sound.

Many famous artists have gone through this same process—experimenting and evolving over time. Like Childish Gambino, Bruno Mars, and Adele, your genre will eventually emerge as you continue to create and hone your craft. Stay open to the journey, and remember that your unique sound may lie in a genre you didn’t initially expect.