chillstep
what it is
Chillstep is Dubstep with emotion. Often bearing combinations of jazz-like rhythms and 80's inflected synth tones, it is not just a subgenre, but a trip into the realm of sub-bass that opens your mind and touches your soul. Usually characterized by much deeper and more consistent bass sounds than mainstream Dubstep, Chillstep is influenced by Future Garage, a variant of UK Garage which has prevalent Dubstep and Ambient influences.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make chillstep a playlist
turn these 27 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is chillstep?
Chillstep is Dubstep with emotion. Often bearing combinations of jazz-like rhythms and 80's inflected synth tones, it is not just a subgenre, but a trip into the realm of sub-bass that opens your mind and touches your soul. Usually characterized by much deeper and more consistent bass sounds than mainstream Dubstep, Chillstep is influenced by Future Garage, a variant of UK Garage which has prevalent Dubstep and Ambient influences.
What are good chillstep albums to start with?
Try Reach for Glory by Blackmill, Celeste (Original Soundtrack) by Lena Raine, The Occulus Occult by Ghost Data, and High Fashion by Addison Rae.
Who are some women making chillstep?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/chillstep/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making chillstep, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20