microgenre

Microgenre is a term used to describe a very narrowly defined subcategory of a larger genre, distinguished by distinctive aesthetics, sonic characteristics, themes, or cultural associations. Unlike broad genres, microgenres lock onto a specific mood, technique, or reference point and often cultivate dedicated online communities of fans, producers, and critics.

Origins and usage: With digital distribution and user-generated tagging, audiences increasingly organize music and media into fine-grained subcategories. Producers may align with a microgenre to signal style and attract listeners, while curators and platforms use tags and playlists to facilitate discovery. Microgenres can wax and wane quickly, sometimes becoming fleeting trends or, in other cases, giving rise to lasting subcultures.

Examples commonly cited include vaporwave, chillwave, witch house, and cloud rap. These microgenres tend to blend retro aesthetics with specific production techniques or mood-based expectations, and they often circulate within tightly knit online communities.

Significance and criticism: The label can aid discovery and community-building but can also fragment a broader genre or be used mainly as a marketing tactic. Some observers see microgenres as authentic expressions of subcultural identity; others view them as superficial taxonomic labels.