experimental
what it is
experimental is music that pushes past the usual rules of a genre or ignores them completely, making something unpredictable or unfamiliar. it's less a sound and more an approach: trying things that might not work, mixing styles that don't normally go together, or building songs in ways no one expects.
what it sounds like
it can sound like anything, from Björk's voice experiments and Sonic Youth's guitar noise to Death Grips' aggressive collages or Arca's warped electronics. the common thread is surprise: sounds that feel unfinished, uncomfortable, or thrillingly new, often layered or twisted in ways that make you stop and listen differently.
where it came from
the term came from mid-20th century composers like John Cage, who wanted music's outcome to be unforeseeable, but it's grown to describe any artist stepping outside their genre's comfort zone. today it shows up everywhere from indie rock to hip hop to pop, a catch-all for restless creativity.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
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 experimental a playlist
turn these 40 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is experimental?
experimental is music that pushes past the usual rules of a genre or ignores them completely, making something unpredictable or unfamiliar. it's less a sound and more an approach: trying things that might not work, mixing styles that don't normally go together, or building songs in ways no one expects. it can sound like anything, from Björk's voice experiments and Sonic Youth's guitar noise to Death Grips' aggressive collages or Arca's warped electronics. the common thread is surprise: sounds that feel unfinished, uncomfortable, or thrillingly new, often layered or twisted in ways that make you stop and listen differently.
Where did experimental come from?
the term came from mid-20th century composers like John Cage, who wanted music's outcome to be unforeseeable, but it's grown to describe any artist stepping outside their genre's comfort zone. today it shows up everywhere from indie rock to hip hop to pop, a catch-all for restless creativity.
What are good experimental albums to start with?
Try Downtown Battle Mountain II by Dance Gavin Dance, California by Mr. Bungle, Medúlla by Björk, and By the Time I Get to Phoenix by Injury Reserve.
Who are some women making experimental?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/experimental/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making experimental, from mainstream to underground.
artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20