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Music genre

Chillwave

Chillwave is a music genre that emerged in United States in the 2000s. It is usually classed as a form of electronic music and popular music. Explore key artists and related styles.

Listen: Chillwave examples

Mezhdunami - The Shining
3:10CC BY 3.0by MezhdunamiWikimedia Commons
3:10

Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.

About Chillwave

Chillwave is a music genre that emerged in United States in the 2000s. It is usually classed as a form of electronic music and popular music.

From Wikipedia

Chillwave is a music microgenre that emerged in the late 2000s. It is characterized by evoking the popular music of the late 1970s and early 1980s while engaging with notions of memory and nostalgia. Common features include a faded or dreamy retro pop sound, escapist lyrics (frequent topics include the beach or summer), psychedelic or lo-fi aesthetics, mellow vocals, slow-to-moderate tempos, effects processing (especially reverb), and vintage synthesizers.

Genre family tree

Parent genres (↑) and subgenres (↓) of Chillwave.

Related genres

Frequently asked questions

What is Chillwave?

Chillwave is a music genre that emerged in United States in the 2000s. It is usually classed as a form of electronic music and popular music.

Where and when did Chillwave originate?

Chillwave originated in United States in the 2000s.

Sources & credits