“lofi hip hop radio – beats to relax/study to aka study music — Sound familiar? Surely, there are very few people on the internet who haven’t seen this recommended video on their YouTube page. The genre has captivated listeners with its relaxing lo-fi beats and nostalgic tones, accompanied by its distinctive lo-fi aesthetic of mellow, cozy, and vintage visuals.
Yet, people wonder, “What is lo-fi music, and what does it mean?” Literally meaning “low fidelity”, its audible imperfections and imperfect quality make it the quintessential, relaxing background music used by people all over the world.
Thus, it is no surprise that through the years that lo-fi has come to include a wide range of musical styles and moods throughout the years. If you’re new to the genre, then this is the perfect time to read on and discover new lo-fi songs that will surely bring you to a place of peace and serenity.
What is Lofi Music? Discovering the Origins
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- Lo-fi Hip-hop / Lo-Fi Beats
- Lo-fi Jazz
- Lo-fi House
- Lo-fi Synthwave
- Lo-fi Japan
What is Lofi Music? Discovering the Origins
Some people may think that the lo-fi genre has only been a recent music trend, but it has been around for the longest time – 1950’s to be exact! The ‘lo-fi’ music (originally labelled to distinguish hifi and lofi from each other) meaning is short for “low fidelity” music, which was used to describe music recordings of lower sound quality during this period when music technology was still new.
Initially, the low quality sounds of lo-fi were simply a result of home-recording equipment when artists could not afford professional studios to record in. However, bands such as The Beach Boys began to experiment on these sounds and purposely include them in their releases on purpose as an artistic choice.
Lofi music gained recognition in the 1980’s thanks to artists like Daniel Johnston and R. Stevie Moore who produced music on simple recording setups that embraced the elements of low fidelity music. In the indie scene, this allowed artists to focus on the creative process of their music without the need for expensive studio equipment.
Around 1986, a radio DJ named William Berger hosted a thirty-minute radio show called “Low-Fi” which showcased homemade recordings, popularizing the lo-fi genre we enjoy today. Eventually, lo-fi became more prominent in the alternative and indie rock scenes in the 1990’s – exemplifying their “rough around the edges” sound.
Now, lo-fi has become a staple genre on music platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. Lo-fi music has grown into multiple subgenres, including “lo-fi jazz,” “lo-fi study music,” and the most popular subgenre; “lo-fi hiphop.” Even with the advanced music technology we have today, lo-fi has evolved into its own branding and style.
The Characteristics of Lo-Fi Music
Throughout the years, the lo-fi genre has characterized itself as a genre that is minimalist, mellow, and ambient. Deliberate use of background noise like vinyl crackles, tape hisses, or any sound that is typically considered a technical flaw is one of the main characteristics of the lo-fi music genre.
Lofi Music, Lofi beats, Lofi Hip Hop – whatever you want to call it, all essentially embody the bedroom pop genre, which often features minimalistic instrumentation featuring lofi hip hop guitar loops, home-recording quality, and blending elements of different genres such as indie rock, shoe gaze, electronic music, R&B, and hip-hop.
The lofi study music on Youtube definition can be elaborated as an intimate and laid-back genre composed of lo-fi chill beats, making it popular for activities like studying, working, and meditating.
Lo-fi has even progressed into a visual art style, commonly known as the “lo-fi aesthetic,” which is usually described as a vintage and static feel that uses simple and calm imagery to evoke feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and tranquility. Lo-fi invites us to slow down, disconnect from the busyness of everyday life, and enjoy a moment of serenity.
Top 5 Lo-Fi Genres
Because lo-fi has branched out into many different subgenres, there are many lofi music types that fit almost every mood you can think of. Which lo-fi genre suits you best?
Lo-Fi Hiphop / Lo-Fi Beats
This is perhaps the most popular genre of lo-fi. In general, lo-fi takes a lot of inspiration from hip hop — in particular, their use of drum loops to create rhythm – think Samurai Champloo & Nujabes.
A lo-fi hiphop genre is predominantly instrumental with low and mid-tempos, all formulated to evoke feelings of calm. Sometimes, samples from anime and other forms of media are used to give the music dimension.
Less often, singing or rapping may be inserted as well. Overall, the genre lo-fi hip hop, often referred to as ‘chillhop lo-fi,’ is best used for activities that require focus, such as writing or reading because of its lo-fi beat music.
The most prominent YouTube artist for this genre is Lofi Girl, who actually popularized the genre as well as the iconic image of a Lofi Girl studying (inspired by Studio Ghibli!).
Currently, they have a 2-year long livestream that has been playing lo-fi hip hop music 24/7.
Lo-Fi Jazz
Lo-fi jazz is often a more soothing genre than lo-fi hip hop. It makes the most use of string and wind instruments, and it contains a swing and syncopation typical to traditional jazz music. It is often associated with the bedroom pop genre because of how nostalgic lo-fi jazz sounds.
As the name suggests, a key element of this genre is the incorporation of jazz chord progressions, which provide the music with a more thoughtful and somewhat emotional element than its hip-hop counterpart.
One of the key lo-fi artists for this genre is Musictag, who specializes in jazz music in general. The account has several lo-fi jazz compilations meant for various activities such as studying, working, and even coding.
Lo-Fi House
Often described as hearing nightclub music from the outside, lo-fi house takes on a more upbeat rhythm compared to other lo-fi genres.
This genre mixes the catchy rhythm of the 80s & 90s dance music and combines it with the often calmer vibe of lo-fi music. The result is a nostalgic mix that gives you the best lo-fi songs to keep you focused and awake while working.
Kiffen Beats and Katarakt are some lo-fi artists that have mastered the art of lo-fi house on Youtube. Despite playing in the same genre, the two have distinct sounds and mixes that differentiate them from one another.
Lo-fi Synthwave
More commonly known as chillwave and sometimes Glo-Fi, lo-fi synthwave is a genre characterized by its faded sound and escapist lyrics.
Its retro pop sound is often mixed with heavy effects and vintage synthesizers. This, along with its accompanying visuals of bright, angular planes leads it to be confused with vaporwave.
Odysseus on Youtube has several lo-fi synthwave mixes, as well as normal synthwave compilations. His eye-catching lo-fi music video thumbnails truly embody the 80s vibe and aesthetic that lo-fi synthwave tries to embody.
Lo-fi Japan
Maybe more accurately categorized as a sub-genre of lo-fi hip hop, the art of lo-fi Japan uses Japanese variation and makes use of traditional instruments to create a stark contrast in the sound.
Drum loops are mixed with East Asian wind instruments to create a more “oriental sound”. This unique blend of traditional and modern pop culture is perfect for those looking for variety in their lo-fi playlists.
These two do have one thing in common — the beautiful thumbnails they choose for their videos, showcasing beautiful aspects of Asian culture.
Embracing the Lo-Fi Vibes
Lo-fi music is more than just a genre; it’s a whole vibe that embraces simplicity, imperfections, and nostalgia. The lo-fi genre features calming rhythms, soothing beats, and imagery that reflect the relaxed lo-fi aesthetic, making it the perfect soundtrack for study sessions, road trips, and moments of introspection.
From lo-fi Japan to lo-fi jazz, lo-fi music has grown into a global trend with the help of YouTube lo-fi music channels and other audio platforms that showcase the magic of lo-fi to listeners all over the world.
Discover the best lo-fi songs and explore new lo-fi artists as Japan Nakama invites you to step into a world of calm and serenity – one lo-fi beat at a time.
