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ELECTRONIC MUSIC GENRES

ELECTRONIC MUSIC GENRES

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    Electronic music and the electronica genre dates back further than you might think when, in the 1920s and 1930s, the first electronic musical instruments were created, leading to the electro music genre. Subsequent technological developments and techniques (such as editing recorded, natural and industrial sounds, and changing the tape speed and direction) developed in the 1940s and 1950s across Europe, Africa, Asia and America.

    Fast forward to the 1960s and 1970s, when digital computer music began to be developed across the world. As these approaches to electronic music blended with popular genres, such as disco and early hip hop in the 1980s, it led to the emergence of electronic music genres as we know today.

    From that moment on, electronic music has evolved and given birth to a seemingly endless number of genres, plus infinite sub-genres and interpretations of genres. Here, we’re going to attempt to breakdown the main genres and their subgenres. However – as with all creative things – there is an element of subjectivity at play here!

    So what one person would call deep house; another would call tech house. What one person would dub dubstep (sorry, cheap pun); another would name brostep. Depending on where you are in the world, these all have very different interpretations and definitions. For this article, we’re going to stick to the main ones, as we recognise them here at Audio Network HQ in London. So let’s get into it.

    Contents

    • Bass music
      • Bass Music Subgenres
    • Disco
      • Disco sub genres
    • Drum and Bass
      • Drum and Bass sub genres
    • Dubstep
      • Dubstep Subgenres
    • ​EDM
      • EDM Subgenres
      • EDM Artists
    • Garage
      • Garage Sub Genres
    • Jungle
      • Sub genres of jungle
    • Hardcore
      • Hardcore sub genres
    • House
      • House Subgenres
    • Techno
      • Techno Subgenres
    • Trance
      • Trance Subgenres

    Electronic Music Genres

    The main types of electronic music genres are well recognised and largely agreed on. However, this particular type of music evolves and develops as quickly as its technology, so an advance warning: this may become incomplete just months after this post is published (we’ll do our best to keep it updated!).

    We’ll also be taking a pretty UK/US-centric view in this article, whilst referencing as many notable global viewpoints as possible – but a definitive global view on this topic is another long article in itself. For the purpose of this piece, the main electronic music genres are:

    • Bass music
    • Disco
    • Drum and Bass
    • Dubstep
    • EDM
    • Jungle
    • Hardcore
    • House
    • Techno
    • Trance
    • Garage

    Bass Music

    Bass music can be quite hard to define. It is a bit of a catch-all term, used to umbrella a load of sub-genres and interpretations of other genres. For example, bass house, some interpretations of trap and niche interpretations of moombah and garage can sit in this category. But the main ones, in our opinion are below.

    Bass Music Subgenres

    This list could be exhaustive, but again, we’ve stuck to the main ones. Others should arguably be included (UK bass music, moombahton and more) but these two encapsulate the genre best and are less ambiguous, in our humble opinion.

    • Bass House
    • Trap

    Bass House

    This is a far more dancefloor-centered version of house. its origins are debateable but one source traces it to the mid-2010s, when dubstep was declining in popularity and the UKG, house and bassline scenes were on the rise. It’s high energy, bass-heavy (obviously) and designed to get the crowd going.

    Trap

    Now, this one could’ve easily sat under dubstep, or even hip hop (if we had included in this article). We’ve gone for bass music though, as, again, it’s a bit of a hybrid genre. It evolved in the early 2010s out of the dubstep scene, blending with more American-influenced trap hip hop from Atlanta.

    Disco

    Evolving from Philadelphia’s 1960s and 1970s R&B scene, as well as other African-American and Latino music scenes at the time, it was major players such as Stevie Wonder, The O’Jays, Gloria Gaynor and Donna Summer who pioneered this ground-breaking sound, which dominated the 1970s and 1980s. Seriously influential, it’s continued to evolve and is arguably the reason many other genres on this list exist.

    Disco Subgenres

    Some would argue every other genre in this list is a sub-genre of disco, but we’ll be looking at some of the more direct, modern offshoots of this pioneering and classic genre.

    • Electro Disco
    • Nu-Disco
    • Italo/ Euro Disco

    Electro Disco

    Loads of funk and a futuristic vibe, electro disco is strongly influenced by German luminaries Kraftwerk – and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Most, if not all, instrumentation is replaced with synthesisers and other electronic alternatives such as vocoders.

    Nu-disco

    Not to be confused with disco house or French disco, nu-disco appeared in the mid to late 1990s. DJ Harvey and Gerry Rooney get the lion’s share of the credit, as their label Black Cock Records released unofficial edits and remixed funk, rock and disco tracks. Other notable pioneers are Dave Lee (FKA Joey Negro) and Crazy P.

    Italo/ French/ Euro Disco

    It’s probably not fair to lump these all together, but the European disco scene is a thriving one with many components and scenes in it, so we’ll approach the continent as a whole. Emerging in the 1970s and consistently adapting, we’d look to the uplifting takes of Mark Ashley, Irene Cara and Laura Branigan to get a feel for this sound.

    Drum and Bass

    A truly British genre (and a great British export), drum and bass was born as many subcultures collided in the UK underground dance scene – most notably breakbeat and jungle. It stripped elements from the aforementioned genres and has had a thriving scene in the UK – and now globally – for over 25 years. With a seemingly endless number of sub-genres, even the scene itself can’t decide which ones are ‘official’, so we’ve stuck to the ‘main’ ones.

    Drum and Bass Subgenres

    • Tech Drum and Bass
    • Neurofunk
    • Liquid
    • Jump Up
    • Dancefloor Drum and Bass

    Tech Drum and Bass

    With more of an organic sound and feel, tech drum and bass tends to be deeper, with a raw percussive sound that sticks to the core elements of the genre and delivers more of a rolling rhythm. Some of the bigger names are Break, DLR, Konflict and Bad Company.

    Neurofunk

    One of the more extreme and futuristic takes on the genre, Neurofunk has been heavily influenced by trailblazers across Europe and New Zealand. With a robotic edge and plenty of funk (as the name suggests) this could only be listened to in a club – or maybe a fight club. Head to NOISA, Black Sun Empire, State of Mind and, more recently, AKOV to get a feel for it.

    Liquid

    The Liquid sound is centred on more melodic elements and has absorbed many influences, from jazz to an EDM vibe. Look to London Elektricity, Camo & Krooked, Calibre and Netsky for the bigger proponents.

    Jump Up

    Not for the faint-hearted, the jump up sound is one of the more aggressive-sounding; a UK-centric contingent– and a divisive one. DJ Hazard, Taxman, Annix and Macky Gee are a good representation of the jump up vibe.

    Dancefloor

    This is a relatively new sub-genre of drum and bass, and though all drum and bass could be classed as dancefloor, this definition speaks to the sound that doesn’t quite fit into any of the above. The likes of RAM Records and artists including Dimension, Grafix, Metrik, Wilkinson and Sub Focus are your go-tos here.

    Dubstep

    Originating in the UK underground dance music scene in the early 2000s, dubstep took the world by storm over the next 15 years or so. Some say it blew up too quickly, leading to what many felt was a bastardisation of its roots. This is another genre that, due to its relative infancy, tends to provoke arguments about how you define a true subgenre…

    Dubstep Subgenres

    We’ve tried to stick to what we feel are the main subgenres – you will most likely have different names for each of these – but we’ll explain what we mean by each one. We tended to approach dubstep in a more linear fashion, as a technique to break it down, so let’s delve in.

    • Classic
    • Tear Out
    • Brostep
    • Deep
    • Chilled

    Classic

    This is the original dubstep: garage, dub and reggae-influenced with a major focus on the lower end of the frequencies. This emerged in the very early 2000s and was pioneered by the likes of Hatcha, Coki, DMZ, Skream, Benga and N-Type.

    Tear Out

    Far more mid-frequencies and with more of a raucous approach, this was one of the first evolutionary steps of the dubstep sound. Up to this point, there wasn’t as much of a focus on getting the dancefloor rocking, but the likes of Caspa, Rusko, Coki, Emalkay and Doctor P changed that.

    Brostep

    It’s from this point that the dubstep scene started to really fracture and divide. As the sound was exported to the US and producers interpreted it with more of a rock or metal sentiment, many of the original fans felt it was too much of a departure from its roots.

    Others, though, couldn’t get enough of it and it transported the scene to stadiums, festival headline slots and commercial radio. Skrillex, Zomboy, Datsik, Eptic and Flux Pavilion are a good representation of this sound.

    Deep

    This is essentially the modern interpretation of the classic sound that pays homage to those early days. It was this contingent of the scene that opposed the ‘bro’ sound the most. Artists such as J Kenzo, Truth, Kaiju and Kryptic Minds.

    EDM

    Now then, we have a seriously contentious entry on this list. EDM. Standing for Electronic Dance Music. Is it even a genre? Or is it just a catch-all statement abbreviated and overly used to describe specific types of electronic music?

    All of those questions and more have been debated for over a decade now. So, we’re going to just let you know how we’re defining this type of electronic music – purely for the sake of this article. When we reference EDM in this sense, we’re looking to that ‘big room’, stadium or Tomorrowland-festival style house music. Think Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and the like.

    EDM Subgenres

    With the above in mind, it kind of means sub genres here aren’t as relevant, as all EDM is, within this article at least, is that big house sound that dominated the UK and US charts for virtually the whole of the 2010s. With that in mind, we’re going to list a few artists instead, so you get what we’re calling EDM.

    EDM Artists

    • David Guetta
    • Martin Garrix
    • Deadmau5
    • Marshmello
    • Avicii
    • Calvin Harris
    • Steve Aoki

    Garage

    Born at Paradise Garage in 1970s and 1980s New York, garage is often associated with the UK scene, with many Brits unaware of its American roots. Since the 1990s, the UK grew obsessed with the sound and it helped set the foundations for many new subgenres.

    Garage Subgenres

    We wanted to show just how much this genre led to new sounds, so we’ve gone against our criteria for other genres in this article, to illustrate the point.

    • UK Garage
    • Speed Garage
    • 4/4
    • Bassline
    • Grime

    UK Garage

    When you say garage in the UK, this is what most people will think of. The 90s were its heyday. It was a vibe created through the UK underground dance club scene and seemingly nothing could stop it from hitting the mainstream. Artists like M. J. Cole, Artful Dodger, Zed Bias, So Solid Crew, Craig David and Ms Dynamite are major players of this sound.

    Speed Garage & 4X4

    These are the more high-octane takes on the garage sound. By taking 4-to-the-floor New York garage, speeding it up, and combining it with breakbeats, a far more chaotic sound was born. We know, 4x4 and speed garage aren’t technically the same thing, but their origins and sounds are so linked we’ve put them together. Some would even argue 4x4 is an umbrella term for speed garage and our next subgenre. Check out artists like 187 Lockdown, Todd Edwards, Double 99 and Groove Armada.

    Bassline

    For a while this sound was massive in the UK, it then went through a period of becoming almost comical. Now though, the UK bassline scene is thriving. Similar to speed garage in many ways, this takes that 4X4 vibe to new levels of energy. Artists such as DJ Q, Flava D, TS7 and Platnum are a good representations.

    Grime

    This is a seriously contentious subgenre for the garage section. However, if there was no garage, there would certainly be no grime. In fact, most of the pioneering grime vocalists, producers and DJs started out in the garage scene. Grime went on to become a British institution in its own right. If you’re not familiar, listen to the likes of Kano, Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Skepta, Ghetts and D Double E.

    Jungle

    Jungle is the UK-export that came before drum and bass. It’s far more percussive in approach, it has very strong Caribbean influences and was born out of the Soundsystem Culture in the early 1990s UK underground scene. It’s widely accepted that, without this, you wouldn’t have drum and bass.

    Subgenres of Jungle

    Emerging out of the breakbeat and hardcore scenes of the late 80s in the UK, it’s actually debateable that jungle itself was a sub-genre of those scenes. It’s also largely debateable if jungle really has sub-genres. However, for the purpose of this article, there’s one we’re highlighting.

    • Ragga

    Ragga

    Ragga jungle is the far more reggae-influenced sound within the jungle scene. You’ve got some awesome artists that have been flying this flag for years but some of the more recent ones to know about are Chopstick Dubplate, Krinjah and Congo Natty. The difference between this jungle and the ‘original’ jungle is that is has more completely original productions, whereas the original jungle was heavily reliant on samples.

    Hardcore

    Without question one of the unapologetically intense genres within the universe of electronic music, hardcore is even heavier than its name suggests. There are three sub genres we’re going to look into here, all of which may be a shock to the system if you’ve not heard this particular genre than was a product of many scenes colliding – including techno, metal and rock.

    Hardcore Subgenres

    The three sub genres of hardcore may be hard to differentiate between to the newer listen, but they actually have very unique takes on this in-your-face sound.

    • Gabber
    • Happy Hardcore
    • Hardstyle

    Gabber

    Started in Rotterdam and gaining huge popularity in the Netherlands and north of the UK, gabber first came to fruition in the 1990s. Its never quite broken the mainstream, much to the joy of its most passionate followers, but saw a slight change in perception in the 2010s when tastemaker DJs were flirting with the sound in their sets. Head to artists like Paul Elstak, Out Of Cookies and Renae.

    Happy Hardcore

    Probably one of the most joyous yet intense genres to have ever existed, Happy Hardcore is quite an acquired taste. Also born in the 1990s, this time across multiple European countries on the continent and also from the UK’s breakbeat scene, Happy Hardcore is often argued as the most popular of the hardcore sounds. Check out Force & Styles, Toytown and Sy & Demo.

    Hardstyle

    Largely regarded as the most successful out of this scene, Hardstyle has held a loyal following across Europe ever since its inception in the 1990s. As you’re probably noticing a theme emerging, this was also born in the Netherlands and has been a mainstay in the region ever since, with some of the biggest festivals dedicated to the sound. Notable artists include The Prophet, Technoboy and Tweekacore.

    House

    Debatably the most easily recognised and popular of the genres on this list, house music can be traced back to 1980s at pioneering clubs in Chicago. Since then, the genre has taken on many different forms as different nations and cultures interpreted the sound. Like many others on this list, this genre can seemingly have an endless amount of sub genres depending on where you’re from. So let’s take a look.

    House Subgenres

    As we said, this is a subjective question. We could’ve had a house subgenre list twice this size, however, to keep it more succinct, the below are what we’ve agreed are the main ones. Notable absentees from this include; Balearic, Tropical, Tribal, New Jersey, Latin, Jersey, Italo, French, Dutch and Chicago. We could go on, but let’s get into what we see as the main house genres.

    • Acid House
    • Ambient House
    • Classic House
    • Deep House
    • Electro House
    • Funky House
    • Future House
    • Progressive House
    • Tech House

    Acid House

    Starting in the mid-1980s in Chicago, Acid House was quickly adopted in the UK. Connected by what can only be described as a ‘squelching’ sound the Roland TB-303 synthesizer-sequencer helps to create – as well as the accompanying basslines, this type of house completely exploded in the UK into the late 1980s. Listen to DJ Pierre, Phuture and A Guy Called Gerald.

    Ambient House

    Delivering what it says on the tin, Ambient House is credited to being born by The Orb at the nightclub, Heaven. It first emerged a little after Acid House in the late 1980s. Head to artists including The Orb, The KLF and Bull Drummond.

    Classic House

    Essentially the type of house that stays true to the genre’s roots of the clubbing seen in 1980s Chicago, classic house is less of a sub genre and more of a reference point. You want artists like Marshall Jefferson, Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles and Kerri Chandler.

    Deep House

    Making use of a deeper aesthetic, muted basslines and allowing more room for the percussion to breathe, deep house started in the 1980s as fusion between Chicago House, jazz-funk and elements of soul. Listen to Miguel Migs, Kaskade, Lisa Shaw, Saison and Sebb Junior.

    Electro House

    A far more commercial sound, the electro house style can be very varied (some would argue many we’ve put in “EDM” are in fact electro house artists). It first emerged late 1990s and it arguably reached a peak in popularity in the 2010s. Head to people such as Daft Punk, Bloody Beetroots, Basement Jaxx and Feed Me.

    Funky House

    Blending the worlds of funk, disco and house, with influences from across many decades dating back to the 1970s, funky house is another subgenre that lives up to its name. Record labels such as Defected Records, Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi will give you a good idea of this sound, including artists such as Dave Lee, Dennis Ferrer, Armand Van Helden and Shapeshifters.

    Future House

    Emerging in the 2010s, Future House blends elements of UK Garage and deep house. It’s a bass-driven, as opposed to melodically or funk driven subgenre and very popular in the UK. Lucky Luke, Nu Aspect, The Him and Tchami will give you a good idea of this scene.

    Progressive House

    Emerging in the early 1990s, the progressive style is largely credited with being produced from the developing UK scene. Long, drawn out build ups and plenty of melody can be found within this sound. Made particularly popular by the likes of Martin Garrix, Swedish House Mafia and Deadmau5 in the early 2010s. Artists include Tiesto, Hardwell, Deadmau5 and Cid Inc.

    Tech House

    Blending the worlds of techno and progressive house, tech house features more rough basslines and hard hitting beats mixed with melodics and groove to create a pretty unique and hugely popular sound. Kicking off in the mid to late 1990s you want to check out the likes of Jamie Jones, Carl Cox, Hot Since 82 and  Patrick Topping.

    Techno

    Dating back to 1970s Europe, with some of its main influences including Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream and C.J. Bolland, techno has spawned many subgenres since then. From the more experimental, ethereal and melodic to the dancefloor-catered, bass-heavy and industrial cuts, techno is a great genre to explore so let’s get into it.

    Techno Subgenres

    The spectrum of techno is one of the most diverse in this list, and many producers from the different genres in this list, such as drum and bass, directly reference techno as an influence on their production approaches. Just as a quick caveat, many think you could include genres such as hardcore, trance and tech house in this list below as the genre directly influenced them, however, we’ve tried to keep to the main subgenres – rather than the other genres this one inspired.

    • Minimal
    • Ambient
    • Industrial
    • IDM
    • Detroit
    • Trance
    • Deep Techno

    Minimal

    It is what it says on the tin. It’s stripped back, it’s repetitive and it’s understated. Originating in Detroit in the early 1990s, key artists here include Richie Hawtin, Robert Hood, Ricardo Villalobos and Jeff Mills.

    Ambient

    Sometimes known as intelligent techno, ambient techno has bundles of atmosphere and rhythm. This genre is seen as being very close to tech house and if you’re looking for a taster you should check out Aphex Twin, Autechre, Orbital, The Black Dog and Laurel Halo.

    Industrial

    Sitting at the heavier and darker end of the techno scale, industrial techno originates from the 1990s and can be the style gets the biggest reaction in the rave. Artists here to go to are Adam X, Orphx, Blawan, Karenn and Ancient Methods.

    IDM

    Intelligent Dance Music dates back to the early 1990s and is less catered to dancefloors and more suited to lounges and home chilling. Many artists that are maybe closer aligned to other sub-genres on this list will also create IDM. However, some key players of this genre include The Future Sound Of London, Luke Vibert, Squarepusher, Ventian Snares and Boards of Canada.

    Detroit

    This is essentially the source. Detroit techno is the original, easy-to-recognise techno from the 1980s, pioneered by the “Belleville Three” – Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunserson and Derrick May. Other artists to head to are Carl Craig, Aril Brikha and Fabrice Lig.

    Deep Techno

    This is a wide sub genre in itself, with many crossover elements from IDM, ambient and minimal techno. The main difference here is deep techno is far more dancefloor orientated than the others mentioned above. Listen to Jamie Jones, Aril Brikha, Joris Voorn, Solomun and Maceo Plex.

    Trance

    Originating in the 1990s as an offshoot from German techno and British hardcore scenes, the trance sound is another that emulates the connotations of its name. Long, drawn out build ups, bags of atmosphere and euphoric builds are a common theme in this genre.

    Trance Subgenres

    There are five key subgenres to the trance sound that we’re going to stick to. Others that you may have expected to see on here would be deep, acid and euro. We’ve deliberately left these out as we see these five as the core ones, with the others having a lot of crossover.

    • Goa
    • Hard
    • Progressive
    • Psychedelic
    • Tech

    Goa

    India, and Goa in particular, have one of the most thriving trance scenes in the world. Their beach parties, all day raves and festivals are becoming something of an iconic centre for the genre for many. Fairly similar sounding to minimal techno in many cases, as well as borrowing many elements from psychedelic trance, head to the likes of Astral Projection, Hallucinogen, Infected Mushroom and Hux Flux.

    Hard

    Originating in Western Europe, the hard trance scene emerged in the early 1990s as a breakaway from the breakbeat and hardcore scenes. Having similarities with the industrial techno sound, artists such as Scot Project, Cosmic Gate, Kai Tracid and, arguably most famously, Scooter.

    Progressive

    This is quite a hard one to define, but it definitely exists in the minds of the people most engaged with the trance scene. Sometimes it can be called uplifting but, seeing as most trance is progressive in nature, it can sometimes be difficult to categorise. By the early 2000s this sound was everywhere and dominated the dancefloors. Artists include Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Faithless and Sasha.

    Psychedelic

    Otherwise known as psytrance or psy, psychedelic trance comes in many different forms but all offer up a high-energy, high-tempo and , as the name suggests, a psychedelic atmosphere. Psychedelic preceded the Goa style and is often the type of trance you immediately think of when you hear the term. There is some crossover here but check out Astrix, Infected Mushroom, Shpongle, 1200 Micrograms and Talamasca for a feel for this genre.

    Tech

    Also known as techno-trance, tech trance draws from, as you might have guessed, the techno scene. Pioneered by Oliver Lieb, along with a few other producers in the European scene, the sound is a little more complex, technical and is driven by impactful kick drums. It’s a real party-catered sound which is led by Marco V, Sander van Doorn, Simon Patterson, W&W and Mark Sherry, to name a few.

    So these – more or less! – are the mainstays in the UK, US and Europe which simply couldn’t be missed. Think you’d call something here by a different name? We’d love to hear it on socials!

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    This page was last updated 12/03/2024.

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    WHAT IS INDIE MUSIC

    WHAT IS INDIE MUSIC?

    FEATURED, MUSIC, OLD /
    Contents
      Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

      What's indie music? What is the history of indie music? What's an indie artist? The Indie genre as a whole can seem pretty ambiguous, as everyone seems to interpret it differently. This is partly because of its multitude of subgenres (something we’ll get into later); and the fact it continues to evolve…

      But we can all agree that there’s often a certain off-kilter edge in the sound, and that it contains sonic elements of the independent spirit of the original artists of the post-punk era. In the DIY punk spirit, artists bypassed the major record labels to release music on their own terms, got creative with their marketing by making their own cover art, launched their own labels and clubs, and generally marked themselves out by their can-do attitude? Why? To get their sound out there without big marketing budgets.

      Nowadays, indie music is a kind of catch-all term for a conglomeration of sounds, looks and attitudes that have splintered off from its original pioneers. Let’s look back to its origins, almost fifty years ago in the late 70s.

      What Is the History of Indie Music?

      So although indie music once came from the originally independent labels, it now overlaps a huge number of genres, from indie-rock to indie-folk to indie-pop, but all share a certain off-kilter sensibility.

      Speaking of indie music, if you’re intrigued by the genre and perhaps have an offbeat project to bring to life with a cool soundtrack, we have hundreds of indie tracks for you to sample, download and use in our catalogue. Start exploring our indie discovery page and our indie playlist once you’ve galloped through the history below.

      Contents:

      • What is indie music genre? Indie music definition
      • The Scene
      • Album Art and other stuff…
      • Great Indie Bands
        • The Buzzcocks
        • Joy Division
        • New Order
        • The Smiths
        • The Fall
        • The Strokes
        • Arctic Monkeys
        • Florence + The Machine
      • New Indie Music
      • Indie music for your next project

      What is Indie Music?

      So, ‘indie’ is short for independent, a term first used to describe artists who recorded and released records themselves, rather than through a label. But the term now stretches far beyond the original definition. These days, many indie music artists are signed to major labels, and the genre is more descriptive an attitude, a sound, or an alternative way of making music (which, confusingly, can often serious commercial successes anyway). Nowadays, indie music is rarely ‘indie’ in the original sense!

      Its roots stretch back to the 70s and the DIY punk ethic. In the 1970s, artists who pushed the boundaries of the accepted pop sound weren’t signed to major record labels, as their maverick approach wasn’t deemed commercial enough.

      Music lovers found this boundary-pushing a refreshing antidote to the contrived pop and rock pushed by big record labels. Today, indie music retains elements of its roots – although the jury’s still out on how to define it!

      Inspired? To discover great new indie music to license for your projects, take a look at our Indie Top 40.

      The Scene

      Pre-social media, bands had to get out and create a following IRL Some music venues have attained legendary status as they were such were an essential part of fledgling indie bands’ success, including:

      The Hacienda

      The Manchester club feted during the Acid House and early Rave era was originally a rock club. Founded by Factory Records and the band New Order in 1982, it hosted early gigs by the likes of The Smiths and Echo And The Bunnymen.

      Later, a host of others including Blur, Placebo and Supergrass gigged there before it finally shuttered in 1997. And perhaps in a wry comment of the increasingly commercialised nature of indie music, the building was demolished in 2002 to make way for… The Haçienda Apartments.

      King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow

      This legendary Glasgow venue is now marked in history as the place Alan McGee first saw Oasis play in 1993, leading the Creation label boss to sign the Manchester band on the spot. Founded in 1990, it has played host to Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers, The Verve, Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Muse, Elbow, The Killers and many more.

      The 100 Club, London

      This basement club opened in 1942 but has only operated under its current name since 1964, Its Punk Festival in September 1976 changed everything: the Sex Pistols, The Clash, Buzzcocks, The Jam, The Stranglers and The Damned all performed. Siouxsie And The Banshees made their live debut at the event with Sid Vicious on drums.

      The 100 Club is one of the few music venues left in the West End and recently IDLES, The Specials, Turin Brakes, Babyshambles and Florence + The Machine have played there.

      What Else Made it Happen?

      Two notable indie record labels were Factory Records and Rough Trade, which were behind the success of iconic bands such as Joy Division and The Smiths. Bands also pushed the boundaries of working with what they had – pushing the capabilities of their instruments, creating memorable vinyl cover art (think Joy Division’s iconic Unknown Pleasures album cover), and building up a following through setting up and promoting their own clubs. This DIY route to music stardom gave independent artists a unique sound (broad though it was), that was un-embellished, relatable and – that now overused word – authentic.

      While we’re on the subject of authentic indie music, if you’re creating a vlog, podcast, TV show, or film, our indie tracks can take your creative project to the next level.

      Indie Music in America

      And we can’t write about indie without a nod to the great music that’s emerged from across the pond. A large number of indie bands and artists crossover into rock, chiefly because of their borderline discordant sound and rebel attitude. Indie rock is customarily loud, energetic and led by a charismatic frontman or woman. Compared to classic US rock, indie sounds a little more homemade and is often lyrically more experimental – think Nirvana, Pixies and Jane’s Addiction.

      All-Time Great Indie Artists and Bands

      The Buzzcocks

      The Bolton-based band are often credited with inventing indie. The band was formed solely to support the Sex Pistols, at a time when you could buy a guitar in Woolworths (the retro, high-street equivalent of Amazon – now sadly defunct). The band’s timely punk-rock sound, gritty, nonchalant aesthetic and independent status (they created their own record label) helped their debut EP, Spiral Scratch, reach the Top 40 in 1977.

      Joy Division

      To die-hard indie fans and music aficionados alike, Joy Division are deities. Their ultra-experimental producer, Martin Hannett, played a key role in their groundbreaking sound. The four-piece band – formed in Salford, Manchester during the post-punk era, split after singer Ian Curtis committed suicide in 1980.

      New Order

      Following the demise of Joy Division, founder members Peter Hook, Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris were joined by Gillian Gilbert to form New Order. They fused post-punk with electronic and dance music and became the flagship band for Manchester indie label Factory Records. Their 1983 hit, ‘Blue Monday’ became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time.

      The Smiths

      The Smiths were one of the most important indie bands to emerge in the early 80s, formed by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, who bonded over their love of poetry and literature. Their jangly guitar, bass and drum sound was a conscious reaction to the prevalent synth-pop of the time. In 2012, all four Smiths albums – and a compilation album – appeared in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

      The Fall

      Cult post-punk band The Fall formed in Manchester in 1976. With their abrasive, guitar-led sound and the caustic lyrics of frontman Mark E Smith, they maintained a fierce, longstanding cult following, despite never really achieving mainstream success. By far the most prolific band of the post-punk movement, they were famously championed by BBC DJ John Peel, who notably commented that they were: ‘always different, always the same…’ The death of their charismatic frontman in 2018 closed a chapter on one of the greatest indie bands ever.

      The Strokes

      One of the leading bands of the early 2000s, indie became the genre du jour thanks to The Strokes. The Grammy-award winning band released their debut album Is This It in 2001. This time around, the indie sound was super-commercial: they won a BRIT for Best International Breakthrough Act in 2002 and an NME award for Best Band in the World – twice.

      Arctic Monkeys

      Even if you’re not the biggest fan of indie music, you can admire the impact of Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys. Fronted by natural-born performer Alex Turner, they’ve sold 20 million records worldwide and won over 42 awards, including seven BRITs and a Mercury Prize. Their 2006 debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s what I’m Not was the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history.

      Florence + The Machine

      Florence + The Machine are a contemporary indie brand with a super-charismatic frontwoman, Florence Welch. Formed in London in 2007, three of the band’s four albums reached number one in the UK. Now pretty much a household name, Florence Welch is estimated to be worth $28 million.

      If you’re looking for production music along the lines of the bands above, find the perfect track using our intelligent search bar, filterable by mood/emotion, instrumentation, production genre and musical style.

      New Indie Music

      And the indie music scene is still very much alive, with a raft of recent releases drawing on everything from post-punk to pop and country. Want to hear some contemporary indie? Uproxx’s top 5 Indie albums of 2020 showcases some bangers:

      1. Fiona Apple – Fetch the Bolt Cutters

      2. Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud

      3. Yaeji – What We Drew

      4. Yves Tumor – Gospel for a New Century

      5. Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher

      Indie Music for Your Next Project

      Check out our line-up of great indie bands and artists, from the vibrant beats and colourful lyrics of John Vella, lead singer and guitarist of Sydney group Tenderfoot, to Waiting for Smith, aka singer and songwriter Harry Lloyd, widely hailed as one to watch; with his narrative, imaginative songs he’s been compared to David Bowie, George Ezra and Leonard Cohen. And there are plenty more to discover…

      Want to read more about indie and other music? Head over to our inspiration, expertise and news updates.

      Need Music for Your Project?

      At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

      SIGN UP

      This page was last updated 07/03/2024.

      WHAT IS INDIE MUSIC? Read More »

      gillette ads

      THE BEST (AND MOST CONTROVERSIAL) GILLETTE ADS OF ALL TIME

      ADVERTISING, FEATURED, OLD /
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        In 2019, the well-known men’s grooming brand Gillette totally changed its marketing tactic to put social justice messages at the heart of their advertising.

        The recent – and hugely controversial – 2019 ad was the first to explore toxic masculinity. Here, we also take a look at Gillette ads, from the 80s and throughout subsequent years, and also examine the role music plays in each one. After all, for an ad to be truly unforgettable, it has to have a great soundtrack…

        If you do happen to be working on a TV, online ad or other creative project, why not explore our sizeable catalogue of production background music? Start by heading over to our keyword search bar then just filter by musical style, instrumentation, production genre and more.

        Gillette Ads

        • Controversial Gillette Ad - Toxic Masculinity
          • Gillette Ad Backlash
          • Gillette Sales After Ad
          • Gillette Stocks After Ad
        • Gillette Ads Through The Years
          • The Best A Man Can Get (1989)
          • The Best A Man Can Get (1993)
          • Mach3 – The Best A Man Can Get (2000)
          • First Shave, The Story of Samson - Transgender Ad (2019)
          • Raheem Sterling – Made of What Matters (2020)
          • New Gillette Ad (2021)

        Controversial Gillette Ad – Toxic Masculinity

        Gillette shocked millions of viewers worldwide with their ‘We Believe: The Best Men Can Be’ commercial. The advert looks back to the brand’s ‘The Best A Man Can Get’ commercial from way back in 1989, rephrasing its tagline to ask the question: Can men do better?

        Touching on topics such as the #MeToo movement, the male gaze, the media’s portrayal of women and gender stereotypes, the ad encourages the audience to embrace a new age and suggests that men should hold themselves accountable for toxic masculinity. Aptly, the orchestral track amplifies the serious tone of the ad and underlines the brand’s stance on the issue.

        Take a look for yourself, below:

        Gillette Ad Backlash

        It’s common sense to assume that you’ll face a backlash if you wade into advertising that deals with controversial social issues; however, we imagine Gillette didn’t quite expect the storm that followed the release of ‘We Believe: The Best Men Can Be’. Why did the brand touch such a nerve in so many people? Well, there are two key reasons...

        Firstly, viewers complained it wasn’t appropriate for Gillette to comment on social issues, feeling it was wrong for a personal care brand to explore issues around toxic masculinity for commercial benefit. By doing so, they felt it undermined the seriousness of the issue.

        The second reason it didn’t go down well with the public is that, ironically, it appeared to stereotype men. In this day and age, a considerable number of men eschew sexist ideologies and have helped form new and progressive norms and values. Unfortunately, Gillette managed to alienate many potential customers, who found the ad pretty offensive.

        Gillette Sales After Ad

        Did the Gillette Ad Hurt Sales?

        According to the chief financial officer of Gillette’s owners, P&G (Procter and Gamble), it didn’t. According to CNN Business, after the commercial aired, Gillette sales were in line with pre-campaign levels, by which we can infer that it didn’t make any difference, either positive or negative, to sales. He defended the commercial, explaining it was a genuine effort to ‘connect more meaningfully with younger consumer groups’.

        What Was Wrong with the Gillette Ad?

        And in general, despite the backlash of a vocal minority, consumers didn’t boycott Gillette? Why? There are four reasons: 1) the media exaggerated the controversy around the ad; 2) there were more people who supported the commercial than who didn’t; 3) those who complained didn’t actually feel strongly enough to go as far as a boycott 4) the CFO was lying about its sales. And after looking at the statistics around parent company P&G’s stocks, we’re inclined to believe the latter.

        Gillette Stocks After Ad

        According to acclaimed statistician Georgi Georgiev, the market share in P&G’s blades and razor category in fact did decline in 2019 after the release of the toxic masculinity advertisement. He reports that this was the biggest change ever and speculates the dip was largely due to YouTube and other reastions on social media. In the light of this, it’s hard to believe Gillette’s sales were unaffected by the controversy.

        Gillette Ads Through The Years

        The Best A Man Can Get (1989)

        The original late 80s ad takes us through some of the most important moments of a ‘typical’ man’s life – from his career and sporting successes to the birth of his first child. The commercial plays on a deeply traditional ideal of masculinity and underlines the message that Gillette supports them to look their best throughout their life.

        The music is exactly as you’d expect in an 80s American ad – a bona fide, hard-hitting power ballad (well, at least it got the point across!). With elements of rock and pop, its led by male vocals, supported by electric guitars over a booming percussive background.

        The Best A Man Can Get (1993)

        In the early 90s, Gillette released a new version of the ad, which followed much the same structure as the original. The main difference between them was that the 90s commercial focussed on a range of Gillette products – including the brand’s shaving gel and aftershave skin conditioner – as well as the razors. In expanding the brand’s offer with the ‘Gillette Series’ it acknowledges that men’s grooming rituals are changing.

        The 1993 ad uses the same track as the original The Best A Man Can Get commercial, as it is consistent and familiar. It The only addition to the audio is that the narrator of the ad now goes on to call attention to the brand extensions.

        Mach3 – The Best A Man Can Get (2000)

        For the new millennium, Gillette switched up their marketing approach; their 2000 ad, which focuses on the new Mach3 razor, moved away from the focus on seminal moments in a man’s life to focus instead on the synergy between their products and aerospace technology (random, we know). The commercial uses a pulsing, futuristic track that helps link the Mach3 razor with the aerospace industry.

        First Shave, The Story of Samson - Transgender Ad (2019)

        After the famous toxic masculinity ad of January 2019, Gillette continued to create conversation with its spring commercial focusing on a Black transgender male, Samson Bonkeabantu Brown. Fortunately for the brand, viewers seemed to support the inclusive advert more than its predecessor, as many felt this was a more positive and sincere message. That said, some viewers still felt Gillette’s attempt to be ‘woke’ felt a bit desperate…

        As the young man’s father teaches his son how to shave, a thoughtful, delicate and earnest track plays, ebbing and flowing smoothly, just like the ProGlide razor on the young man’s skin. How poetic.

        Raheem Sterling – Made of What Matters (2020)

        Gillette then moved in a safer direction for 2020, with an ad starring the young English footballer Raheem Sterling. It combined the strong brand identity of the pre-2019 ads with an important message for men that didn’t seem too controversial: stay determined and stand up to prejudice.

        Here, Gillette opted for a punchy instrumental track that works well for an piece that pivots around the sports star. The repetitive beat aids the visuals in keeping momentum, ensuring the audience pays attention.

        New Gillette Ad (2021)

        Interestingly, it now seems Gillette has taken a back-to-basics approach with their 2021 ad. Much like the brand’s 20th-century commercials, the ad is product-focused and reminds the audience that Gillette is here to help them look dapper on their life’s journey. But unlike the late 80s/90s ads, Gillette uses a momentum-filled pop music track to accompany the visuals: ‘Human’ by Rag’n’Bone Man.

        The song is not only instantly recognisable, but it’s also fitting for a commercial that takes a pretty traditional approach to appeal to masculinity, and the combination of gritty vocals, bold percussion and emotive strings is an appropriate soundtrack.

        gillette put your best face forward

        Photo Credit: http://www.abancommercials.com

        Music For Your Commercial

        As you can see, music plays a vital role in television and online advertisements; thus, if you’re in the process of creating one of your own, why not consider using one of our high-quality production music tracks?

        To start exploring our catalogue, we suggest you start at our Playlists page where you can find some of the most popular, regularly updated playlists, including New Releases, and head over to our Discover page, where you can find explore the hottest artists and composers, albums and more.

        Need Music for Your Project?

        At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

        SIGN UP

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        Top 10 Best Selling Movie Soundtracks of All Time

        FEATURED, MUSIC, OLD /

        What are the most played songs in movies and the best selling movie soundtrack? From Grease Lightning to the Circle of Life, many of the world’s most famous songs originate from films, so it’s not surprising that some of the most profitable albums in history are movie soundtracks.

        Here, we take you on a musical trip as we round up the bestselling movie soundtracks of all time. We’ll journey across a range of film genres and highlight some of our production genre playlists (in case you’re working on a creative project that we can help out with). Ready to enjoy the ride? Great. Let’s get stuck in!

        The Best Selling Movie Soundtracks

        • The Bodyguard (1992)
        • Saturday Night Fever (1977)
        • Dirty Dancing (1987)
        • Titanic (1997)
        • Grease (1978)
        • Aashiqui (1990)
        • Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
        • Purple Rain (1984)
        • Flashdance (1983)
        • Bombay (1995)
        • The Lion King (1994)

        Best Selling Movie Soundtracks 10-5

        10. The Lion King (1994)

        Copies Sold: 15 million

        Which Disney movie has the bestselling soundtrack? The Lion King, of course. Inspired by the bible and Shakespeare, The Lion King is Disney’s animated masterpiece. From start to finish the film is emotional, exciting and entertaining.

        And the same goes for its soundtrack. The Lion King is composed by the legendary Hans Zimmer and also features songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, including ‘Hakuna Matata’ and ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’. All of these songs feature Southern African musical elements that help tie the soundtrack to the landscape depicted in the film.

        9. Bombay (1995)

        Copies Sold: 15 million

        The ninth best-selling soundtrack of all time is from Tamil Cinema classic Bombay. The romantic drama film is set in the early 90s and focuses on an inter-religious family coming to terms with the growing tensions between the Hindu and Muslim communities in Bombay (now known as Mumbai).

        The Bombay soundtrack was produced by multifaceted talent AR Rahman; the lyrics to the original Tamil version of the film were written by Vairamuthu and Vaali; the lyrics for the Hindi and Telugu versions of the film were written by Veturi Sundararama Murthy and Mehboob. The collection of songs they created continue to inspire South Asian cinema.

        The most powerful song is ‘Tu Hi Re’ which amplifies the complexities of forbidden love. You can listen to it above.

        8. Flashdance (1983)

        Copies Sold: 20 million

        Flashdance is one of the most memorable dance flicks in film history, and the soundtrack is just as unforgettable. Funnily, the film wasn’t projected to do as well as it did, so the soundtrack was stocked in limited qualities; after a few days, it sold out.

        It’s filled with the vigour of 80s adolescence, especially in Michael Sembello’s ‘Maniac’, Shandi’s ‘He's A Dream’, and standout track, Cara’s ‘Flashdance...What a Feeling’. Feeling nostalgic? Relive your youth by watching the memorable final dance scene, above.

        7. Purple Rain (1984)

        Copies Sold: 20 million

        Prince’s film Purple Rain has arguably equal billing with its dynamic soundtrack, which also doubled as his sixth studio album. The music drives the narrative of the rock musical in ways that are so impressive it won the Oscar for Best Original Score.

        Alongside the groundbreaking power ballad ‘Purple Rain’, the soundtrack features some of the most significant hits in Prince’s discography – including ‘When Doves Cry’, ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ and ‘I Would Die 4 U’. Seriously impressive.

        6. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

        Copies Sold: 20 million

        If you include pirate copies, it is estimated that the soundtrack to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – a Hindi-language romance film directed by Aditya Chopra – has sold around 100 million units. But for the purpose of this article, we will stick with the official number of 20 million copies – which is still super impressive.

        The narrative focuses on two Indian Londoners who fall in love on a European trip, but the music is unmistakably Indian. Every song on the soundtrack is big, bright and colourful, and perfectly captures the thrill of young love.

        5. Aashiqui (1990)

        Copies Sold: 20 million

        You may not have heard of the Indian romantic musical Aashiqui but you probably have heard tracks from the Aashiqui soundtrack.

        Composed by creative duo Nadeem–Shravan, one reason the Aashiqui is the bestselling Bollywood soundtrack of all time is because it’s just as key to the storytelling as the visuals. And what’s the story? It focuses on an aspiring singer whose girlfriend becomes a successful model.

        Our favourite song on the Aashiqui soundtrack is ‘Jaan-E-Jigar Jaaneman’, an intrinsically South Asian song that’s immensely hypnotic. Watch and listen above.

        Top 5 Bestselling Movie Soundtracks

        4. Grease (1978)

        Copies Sold: 28 million

        Which film has the best soundtrack? Well, it’s got to be Grease because there’s something for everyone.

        Fan of an emotive ballad? Stick on ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’. Feeling catty? Put ‘Look at Me, I’m Sandra ’ on repeat. Want to duet with your lover? Ask Alexa (or Siri, or Google) to play the number 1 hit, ‘You’re the One That I Want’. If only contemporary albums were so dynamic…

        What you might not know is that most of the songs on the Grease album originate from the original 1971 rock ’n’ roll musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren. This includes ‘Greased Lightning’, ‘We Go Together’ and our favourite, ‘Beauty School Dropout’ (one of our favourite guilty pleasures).

        3. Titanic (1997)

        Copies Sold: 30 million

        The Titanic was a sinking ship, but James Cameron’s epic blockbuster certainly wasn’t, as the 90s film continues to attract audiences to this day. In fact, the film has proven so popular since its release, it ranks third in the highest-grossing films of all time (currently sitting around $2.195 billion) and its soundtrack ranks fourth in the bestselling soundtracks of all time.

        And while James Horner’s orchestral compositions are nothing short of sublime, we bet our bottom dollar that most of the 30 million sales are thanks to Celine Dion’s magnificent, award-winning vocals. ‘My Heart Will Go On’ won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and also picked up four awards at the 1999 Grammys, and we totally understand why.

        3. Dirty Dancing (1987)

        Copies Sold: 32 million

        The bestselling movie soundtrack in the UK ever is Dirty Dancing. But it wasn’t just the Brits that were enthralled by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s chemistry, it was the whole world.

        The soundtrack brims with iconic hits, including ‘Be My Baby’ by The Ronettes, ‘Do You Love Me’ by The Contours and ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ by The Shirelles. But, the standout hit from the motion picture is one that was new to audiences at the time; it’s now credited as the theme tune for Dirty Dancing. It goes without saying we’re referring to Bill Medley and Jennifer Warner’s ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’.

        2. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

        Copies Sold: 40 million

        Saturday Night Fever is a quintessential 70s disco movie featuring the second best-selling soundtrack in film history. Fun fact: the album stayed at the top of the charts for 24 straight weeks back in 1978. Cool, right?

        The film focuses on a young Italian-American man (played by John Travolta) and his passion for disco dancing, and features a soundtrack that is aptly filled with disco anthems – many of which come from funky British band the Bee Gees. We’re talking songs such as ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Night Fever’ and ‘More than a Woman’. Interestingly, the band didn’t even get involved in the film until post production; while filming his scenes, John Travolta was actually dancing to the likes of Boz Scaggs and Stevie Wonder…!

        1. The Bodyguard (1992)

        Copies Sold: 45 million

        What is the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time? It’s The Bodyguard soundtrack. Obviously.

        The film, which grossed $411 million, features a soundtrack that’s sold over 45 million copies – a testament to the unparalleled star power of the late Whitney Houston.

        Produced by Houston and Clive Davis, the soundtrack features some of the singer's most memorable hits, including ‘I Have Nothing’, ‘Run to You’ and, of course, her world-renowned rendition of Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’. Just thinking about it is inspiring us to run a bath, light a few candles and play it on repeat.

        The Soundtrack to Your Next Project

        So, there you have it: the best movie soundtracks of all time. We really hope you enjoyed these wonderful movie soundtracks!

        What do they have in common? They all make an impact – whether that’s to encourage the audience to get up and dance or make them uncontrollably teary.

        Want to create your own impactful soundtrack for an upcoming project? Say no more. Here at Audio Network we’ve got music of all types for every mood and emotion.

        Need Music for Your Project?

        At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

        SIGN UP

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        SEXIST ADS

        SEXIST ADS: LEARN FROM THESE MISTAKES

        ADVERTISING, FEATURED, OLD /
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          Sexism, defined by Oxford Languages as, ‘prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex’, is still a cause for concern in the 2020s – and, unfortunately, this type of behaviour continues to be normalised by sexist advertisements, whether it be sexist advertisements in 2021 or sexist advertisements 2022.

          Sexism may be a lot more subtle in today’s ads – compared to the heavily sexist ads of the 20th Century, that is – nevertheless, it’s still unnecessary and offensive. One piece of good news is that these ads will no longer air in the UK as the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) recently introduced a ban on sexist advertising as they discovered it can play a part in ‘limiting people’s potential’.

          Here, we explore different sexist ads from across the years and take a look at the music used for them. Looking for ad music? We have a huge range of hand-picked playlists to help you find the perfect track.

          sexist ads

          Recent Sexist Ads

          Sexist Ads 2020

          Over in Oz (circa June 2020), KFC released a festival-inspired ad that focuses on a young woman checking herself out in a stationary car window. As she takes a close look at her reflection, the window rolls down to reveal two young boys and their mother have been watching her through the car window the whole time. Unsurprisingly, the pre-adolescent children are a little caught up with what they’re seeing (quite frankly, they’re practically drooling), and their mother appears to be extremely unimpressed.

          The sexist undertones of this advert lie within antiquated notions that women are objects of desire. This is made even worse when you realise it’s a KFC advert marketing juicy chicken breasts and thighs – hence, it runs the risk of suggesting the young girl is nothing but a piece of meat.

          The song used in the advertisement is the popular 2012 dance-pop track ‘I Love It’ (feat Charlie XCX) by Icona Pop. The music is used to convey good summertime vibes and reaffirm the festival setting. If it’s dance-pop tracks you’re after for your next project, take a look at our dedicated playlist.

          Sexist Ads 2019

          One of the most controversial adverts of 2019 was the Peloton Christmas commercial, created to advertise the brand’s home workout equipment – namely their exercise bike. In the commercial, titled The Gift that Gives Back, a woman is gifted a Peloton bike by her husband. Thereafter, she religiously uses the bike to change her life around.

          The reason why a percentage of women were not onboard with Peloton’s ad is because they felt it suggested women should be constantly dieting. In fact, it affected so many people that, according to CBSN Los Angeles, Peloton stocks plummeted after the ad was released.

          It’s clear the ad was supposed to be fun and light-hearted, as the music used in the ad is nimble and chipper. If you happen to be looking for something similar, make sure you check out our Lifestyle playlist.

          Sexist Ads 2018

          The most sexist ad of 2018 came from Israeli fashion label, Castro. The advert revolves around a woman who drives across a rural landscape in her sports car. Sounds empowering, right? Well, it certainly would be if she didn’t stop off for gas.

          As the woman in question pulls up at what is best described as a gas shack, she’s met by the gaze of the scruffy shack owner. As she fills her car up, she parades around the space in her skimpy dress, dancing for the male gaze. But the inappropriateness doesn’t end there: soon after, it’s revealed that she’s kidnapped a young woman who’s stuck in her car boot, wearing nothing but her underwear. It’s implied she’s going to kill her and bury her in the desert. Sexist and violent. Yikes.

          The soundtrack? Blondie’s iconic 70s hit ‘One Way or Another’.

          Sexist Ad 2017

          Another sexist ad from the Aussies. In 2017, automotive servicing company Ultra Tune released a commercial that not only played with passé gender stereotypes, but also featured two busty women for the male gaze.

          At the beginning of the ad, two women are driving along before their Mini’s muffler unexpectedly sets on fire. After the driver uses her Ultra Tune app to summon a mechanic, she and her companion attempt to put out the fire themselves – a scene that is best described as borderline-pornographic. Unfortunately, the two women aren’t savvy enough to put out the fire themselves so the car ends up exploding. The male narrator proceeds to say, ‘avoid unexpected situations’ and as soon as you know it, a male Ultra Tune mechanic appears to rescue the damsels in distress.

          The only inoffensive part of the ad is the chirpy background music that plays throughout. We have similar upbeat songs – have a listen over at our Upbeat Pop and Rock playlist.

          sexist ads ultra tune

          Photo Credit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

          Sexist Ads 2016

          Shockingly, it was multinational brand Amazon that created one of the most sexist ads of 2016 – more specifically, it came from Amazon India. The ad, titled #WhenAWomanShops, may not be quite as in-your-face sexist as the others that grace this list, but its concept is founded on outmoded conventions.

          The experiment featured in the ad challenges men to predict what their partner will order from Amazon when gifted free credit. Typically, the men forecast their other halves will purchase clothes, make-up and beauty products. The women then defy their expectations by revealing they’ve purchased activity equipment, useful accessories and clothes for their men, proving that many men are still stuck in toxic ways of thinking.

          At least Amazon hits the right spot with its music choice. The orchestral composition makes the experiment an easy-watch and provides it with a healthy pace to follow. Discover more modern orchestra songs over in our catalogue.

          Our Advert-Appropriate Production Music

          If you’re looking to create your own ad, then involve both female and male creatives in the whole process. And, of course choose the best music to get your message across! Audio Network has tracks in every genre imaginable. If you want to discover our latest tracks, head over to our new releases.

          Need Music for Your Project?

          At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

          SIGN UP

          This page was last updated on 07/03/2024 and 23/05/2024.

          SEXIST ADS: LEARN FROM THESE MISTAKES Read More »

          AUDIO NETWORK VINYL

          TRADITIONAL JAPANESE MUSIC: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE

          FEATURED, MUSIC, OLD /
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            When you think of Japanese music, your go-to is probably the bubblegum brightness of J-pop, anime scores and the acclaimed Studio Ghibli films, or the huge array of video game soundtracks by talented Japanese composers. Japan’s musical traditions stretch back over centuries, and is a richly diverse tapestry of cultures. Here, we take you through a history of traditional Japanese music and introduce you to a variety of the genres, many of which are still being created and enjoyed today.

            Traditional Japanese music is also known as ‘hōgaku’, which literally means (home) country music, and usually refers to music from the 17th to the mid-19th centuries. Within this there are many subgenres, including Japanese folk music, court music, Japanese theatrical music and Japanese instrumental music.

            Check out our Japanese playlist for tracks using traditional Japanese instruments.

            Traditional Japanese Music

            • Japanese folk music
            • Japanese court music
            • Japanese theatre music
            • Japanese Instrumental music:
              • Koto
              • Shakuhachi
              • Shamisen
              • Hichiriki
              • Komabue
              • Sho
              • Biwa

            Japanese Folk Music

            Like many other ancient countries around the world, Japan was influenced by cultures outside its borders from its earliest days. During the 6th to the 8th centuries it engaged, politically and culturally, mainly with China and the Korean Peninsula, and Chinese court music in particular made a significant impact.

            Up to this point, Shinto rituals and ceremonies were the main arena for folk songs, with music accompanied by dancing and singing. There were many local and regional traditions, and knowledge and performance were passed down through generations.

            Japanese folk music is known as min’yō – a compound word bringing together ‘min’ (folk, or the people) and ‘yō’ (song); it’s a word that’s also found in Chinese sources as far back as the 5th century. Many min’yō are connected to specific trades, whilst some accompanying dances are part of religious rituals. As with a lot of Western folk music, min’yō have a regional flavour, with each area of Japan having its own distinct genre.

            The original work-based folk songs were sung unaccompanied. Later, instruments including the shamisen, shakuhachi, and shinobue, as well as various percussion instruments were used.

            However, as the political system became increasingly centralised, these local music traditions found their way to the capital and were absorbed into court music. Professional musicians and dancers were employed in the Imperial court. These positions were hereditary, ensuring an unbroken line of traditions and repertoire continued for centuries.

            Between the ninth and 12th centuries, nobles began to perform music and dance, and learning these skills became an expected accomplishment of those in society’s upper echelons.

            A significant shift came when the Tang Dynasty fell in the 10th century. Imperial envoys were abolished and as a result, there was a significant drop in contact with foreign cultures. This led to more distinctively indigenous versions of music and the emergence of popular songs.

            To this day interest in folk songs and their history and traditions is strong in Japan, with a number of folk song preservation societies acting as gatekeepers of ‘correct’ performance (many responsible for a single local song), together with regional and international folk-based Japanese
            ensembles. However, during the 20th century, many min’yō songs were altered to become increasingly virtuosic, meaning that today, min’yō is studied almost exclusively under professional teachers.

            For a modern take on min’yō, check out the Minyo Crusaders:

            Japanese Court Music

            The music that became the sound of the Kyoto Imperial court is gagaku (it literally means ‘elegant music’). The oldest form of classical music in Japan, it comprises four categories – kangen (an instrumental ensemble), bugaku (dance music), saibara and rōei (songs) and music for Shinto ceremonies (Kuniburi no utamai). As it was only ever heard by royalty and aristocrats, over time gagaku was imbued with reverential respect among ordinary Japanese people.

            Kangen and bugaku’s longest pieces have three movements – introduction (slow), development (breaking), and conclusion (rushing), but the tempo throughout is generally very slow.

            Saibara literally means ‘pack-horse driver songs’ – these were, as you’d expect, based on folk songs, but modified to make them more palatable to the refined ears of those at court. Rōei (chanting) contains texts taken from two collections of Chinese and Japanese poetry.

            A gagaku ensemble is comprised of sixteen musicians, traditionally all men. They use only classic Japanese instruments; woodwinds, strings and percussion. The woodwind includes the sho (mouth organ), hichiriki (double reed flute) and ryūteki (transverse flute), with the koto (the national instrument of Japan), biwa (a lute) and gakuso (13-string zither) in the string section. Percussion is provided by kakko and taiko drums, together with a shoko (metal percussion) and other instruments such as a shaku (a clapper made from a pair of flat wooden sticks).

            Gagaku peaked in popularity between the ninth and 12th centuries, after which it entered a slow decline. However, in 1868, the Meiji emperor revived the Imperial court’s mystique, and in 2009, UNESCO placed gagaku on the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ list.

            Japanese Theatre Music

            Music is central in a much of Japanese theatre. The two main forms are Noh and Kabuki. Noh can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1192); its otherworldly dance-drama performances, passed down through generations, have remained largely unchanged. It uses masks and fantastical costumes, a small number of actors and minimal, stylised movements.

            The texts are partly sung by a choir, the jiutai, (leading to some dubbing it ‘Japanese opera’), and the music is provided by the hayashi: three drummers and a nohkan flutist. Noh is still regularly performed today – there are estimated to be more than 70 Noh theatres in the country, and each Noh school has its own permanent venue.

            Kabuki is characterised by its highly stylized dancing and singing, elaborate make-up and predominantly all-male cast. It originated in the Edo period (1603-1868), and borrowed elements from existing forms of theatre such as Noh.

            The on-stage orchestra for a Kabuki performance comprises several shamisen players, singers and percussionists, all dressed in a type of ceremonial clothing called kamishimo. In addition to this there’s an off-stage orchestra, consisting mainly of percussion instruments.

            Instrumental Music

            One of the key differences between Japanese and Western instrumental music is the way its players approach performance. Traditional Japanese music is characterised by its meditative nature. Similar to marital arts, or arts such as calligraphy and the tea ceremony, the spiritual character of Japanese music requires players to perfect self-mastery and inner strength, rather than simply providing entertainment.

            Performances are usually highly ritualised. Improvisation has practically no role in any of the major genres of East Asian music, and the way that performers play is more akin to choreography. We spoke with Taiko Drummer Joji Hirota at Abbey Road Studios who unpacked why being a Taiko Drummer is akin to being a performer.

            Koto

            The Koto is a 13-stringed zither with moveable bridges. Sankyoku, or ‘music for three’, is the term for koto chamber music (made up of a koto player, who also sings, accompanied by a three-stringed samisen lute and a shakuhachi flute).

            Shakuhachi

            This end-blown flute is made from bamboo and has traditionally been played almost exclusively by men in Japan, although this is now changing. The traditional genres of shakuhachi music are honkyoku (traditional, solo), sankyoku (ensemble, with a koto and shamisen) and shinkyoku (composed for shakuhachi and koto, a new form influenced by Western music).

            To hear how authentic Japanese instruments can be brought together beautifully with a Western orchestra, check out Jérôme Leroy’s Shifting Perspectives.

            Shamisen

            Derived from the Chinese banjo-like instrument, the sanxian, the shamisen arrived in Japan in the 16th century. It has a fretless neck, hollow body and three strings, and is played with a plectrum called a bachi, either solo or in ensembles – for example to accompany Kabuki.

            Hichiriki

            One of the ‘sacred’ instruments, this double-reed Japanese bamboo flute is often heard at Shinto weddings, and its haunting notes sound like a bit like a cross between a clarinet and the high notes of a harmonica. It’s the most widely-used instrument in gagaku and is related to both Chinese and Korean instruments.

            Komabue

            Similar to the ryūteki, but smaller and with six fingerholes instead of seven, the komabue is a transverse (played sideways) flute. Like the shakuhachi, it’s usually an ensemble instrument.

            Sho

            The beautiful sho is a free reed mouth organ with seventeen pipes arranged in a circle, symbolising the phoenix, a symbol of rebirth. The pipes are its wings; the wind chamber its body, the mouth pipe its beak, and its sound the bird’s voice.

            Biwa

            The pear-shaped biwa lute has four or five strings of twisted silk, stretched over four or more frets on a short neck, and is played with a large wooden plectrum. It’s one of the most important string instruments in a gagaku ensemble.

            Now you’re familiar with the genres and instruments of traditional Japanese music, if you’re looking for Japanese music to license, our Sounds of Japan albums have everything you need, including fantastic taiko drumming by acclaimed artist Joji Hirota.

            Need Music for Your Project?

            At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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            This page was updated 24/05/2024.

            TRADITIONAL JAPANESE MUSIC: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE Read More »

            subliminal advertising

            WHAT IS SUBLIMINAL ADVERTISING?

            ADVERTISING, FEATURED, OLD /
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              A subliminal message is an audio or visual stimuli that’s not perceived by your conscious mind. They’re often put into songs, films or adverts (hidden advertising), as they can be used to enhance the persuasiveness of something – or convey something else entirely.

              Subliminal messages are below the threshold of conscious perception. You can picture your subconscious mind in the same way as an iceberg, with far more of its mass below the surface than above. As the subconscious, or unintentional aspect of your mind represents around 90% of your total brain function, it’s clearly way more powerful than your conscious mind when it comes to processing information.

              subliminal advertising

              The human body sends around 11 million bits per second to the brain for processing; its capacity has been estimated by the researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and by Bell Labs engineer Robert Lucky at 120 bits per second. So that’s the amount of ‘bandwidth’ you have for paying conscious attention to at any given time.  There’s no formal agreement on how fast the subconscious mind is, but scientists posit that it can process up to 500,000 times more than the conscious mind is able to.

              So, a subliminal message is one that’s bypassing your conscious mind, but being picked up by your subconscious.

              What Is Subliminal Advertising?

              Subliminal messaging in ads was first introduced as a concept by James Vickery, and then by Vance Packard in his book from 1952, The Hidden Persuaders, which claimed that Coca-Cola had used subliminal advertising in cinemas to drive sales of drinks and popcorn. (The study the claim was based on was later discredited.)

              Subliminal Advertising: A Definition

              According to Campaign magazine, ‘the definition of subliminal advertising is quite broad. By one definition, it is: “The use by advertisers of images and sounds to influence consumers’ responses without their being consciously aware of it.”’

              Potentially convincing people to buy your product or service through subliminal advertising can be done in a number of different ways. Sometimes, it’ll involve words or images being flashed on a screen so briefly that you don’t detect them consciously (try 0.003 seconds). In print advertising or logo design, there may be an image, colour or shape incorporated into it that takes you a while to see – but your subconscious has potentially registered it.

              Subliminal Advertisement Examples:

              1. The Amazon Logo

              It’s a logo you’ve seen a million times, so where’s the subliminal message? Well, have you ever noticed that the arrow points from the ‘a’ to the ‘z’, telling your subconscious mind that you can literally get anything from Amazon? Plus, the arrow looks like a smile, subliminally making you feel good about the brand, so there are actually two messages cleverly hidden in one device.

              2. The FedEx Logo

              Bet you’ve never clocked this one – FedEx make clever use of negative space – look between the ‘E’ and the ‘x’ and what do you spot? Yep, another arrow. Created by Landor Associated design bureau in 1994, it’s received more than 40 design awards, and was mentioned in a run-down of the top 10 best emblems by Rolling Stone magazine.

              3. Toblerone

              The Toblerone logo isn’t really subliminally selling you anything – unlike FedEx’s subtle promise of speedy deliveries and Amazon’s that you’ll be able to buy anything from A-Z. Look closely at the mountain range, which mimics the chocolate’s distinctively-shaped chunks, and you’ll be able to find a bear standing on its hind legs. Bern, the Swiss capital where the Toblerone bar was created, is called the ‘City of Bears’ and the bear features on its coat of arms – the logo thus pays tribute to the bar’s birthplace.

              Does Subliminal Advertising Work?

              In truth, no-one really knows. Most people would likely tell you it doesn’t – in the same way that, despite it being a multi-billion pound global industry dating back to the 15th century, plenty of people tell you they’re never persuaded by ads. That’s more down to people not liking to feel manipulated – and as if they have very little control over their conscious decisions.

              There are, however, several studies that Philip Merikle, who works for the Department of Psychology at the University of Waterloo, points to that show, ‘considerable information capable of informing decisions and guiding actions is perceived even when observers do not experience any awareness of perceiving.’ Hedging all bets, subliminal advertising has officially been illegal in the UK, US and Australia since 1958.

              Looking for background music for advertising? Rest assured, none of our music has any subliminal messages in it!

              The Best Subliminal Messages

              Subliminal Messaging in Movies

              Are they subliminal messages, or are they just things that bored movie-makers have put in to entertain themselves? We’ll let you be the judge.

              1. The Simpsons

              In The Simpsons, for example, eagle-eyed viewers will have spotted that God and Jesus are the only characters drawn with five fingers (all the other denizens of Springfield have four).

              2. The Matrix Reloaded

              Most of the license plates in the Matrix films refer to Bible verses – Trinity and Morpheus’s ‘DA203’ seen in this clip is Daniel 2:03 – ‘I have had a dream that troubles me, and I want to know what it means’.

              3. The Exorcist

              What is it with subliminal messages and religion? Perhaps most of them date back to the iconic horror film of 1973, in which a section of garbled speech is revealed when Father Damien Karras plays it backwards. This clip reveals what the demon is saying.

              4. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

              Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) visits a Mexican restaurant, whose sign reads ‘Escupinos en su Alimento’, which may be a clue that they’re not going to be enjoying much fine dining – the English translation? ‘We spit in your food’.

              5. Fight Club

              Want to rewatch a favourite film to pick up a ton of hidden messages and visual clues you’ve missed? We recommend David Fincher’s cult hit Fight Club as one of the best. When Edward Norton’s Narrator meets charismatic Tyler Durden for the first time, for instance, it’s not actually the first time the audience has seen him: he’s a ‘blip’ in four different frames, including when the Narrator is making photocopies; when he’s leaving the doctor’s; when he sees Marla leaving a therapy session and during a cancer support group. He’s also in the front row of a group of waiters, when the Narrator is watching TV in his hotel room – onscreen, the group say, ‘Welcome’ (Tyler can be seen on the far right.)

              One of the film’s themes is the pervasiveness of non-stop advertising, which Fincher illustrated by having a Starbucks cup in nearly every scene. And as 11points.com points out, there’s a very subtle hint early on that Tyler isn’t real. When the Narrator’s condo blows up, he calls Tyler from a payphone: no answer. When the phone rings seconds later, the camera zooms in on the payphone. There’s text that says, ‘no incoming calls accepted’ – ie, Tyler couldn’t have called him back on it.

              Subliminal Messaging in Songs

              In 1985, two young men were drinking, smoking marijuana and listening to heavy metal records – among them Stained Class, a Judas Priest album. At sunset, one of the men, Raymond Belknap, shot himself and died. His friend, James Vance also attempting to take his own life, but did not die immediately – he died of complications three years later.

              The two men’s families sued Judas Priest’s label, CBS Records, for $6.2 million, arguing that the pair had been driven to shoot themselves by the track ‘Better by You, Better Than Me’ on Stained Class. The plaintiffs claimed that there was a subliminal message – ‘do it’ – urging listeners to take their lives. The suit was eventually thrown out, but there have been rumours of subliminal messages concealed in music for decades.

              Who, for example, would’ve thought that the squeaky-clean purveyors of 60s pop The Beatles would’ve hidden subliminal messages in their music? The Fab Four first came across what’s called ‘backmasking’ – recording a message backwards onto a track – when they were making Rubber Soul in 1965. They put a backmasked line into ‘Rain’, a single from 1966.

              But their use of backmasking led to the group being at the centre of a strange urban legend. In 1969, rumours began spreading that Paul McCartney had died in 1966 and been replaced by a lookalike. One suggestion was that when the White Album’s ‘Revolution 9’ was played backwards, the phrase ‘turn me on, dead man’ could be heard. Plus, if you played the ‘mumbling’ by John Lennon between the songs ‘I’m So Tired’ and ‘Blackbird’ backwards, did it really sound like, ‘Paul is a dead man. Miss him’? It was, of course, all rubbish.

              However, the band had the last laugh when they created a backmasked message for the 1995 recording of John Lennon’s 1977 demo ‘Free as a Bird’. Released as a studio version 15 years after his death, it featured a clip of Lennon saying ‘turned out nice again’ at the end. McCartney told The Observer, ‘We even put one of those spoof backwards recordings on the end of the single for a laugh, to give all those Beatles nuts something to do.’

              Other groups who messed about with backmasking include Pink Floyd, whose ‘Empty Spaces’ from The Wall contains the message, ‘Congratulations. You’ve just discovered the secret message. Please send your answer to Old Pink, care of the funny farm, Chalfont…’ ELO, meanwhile, went to the extreme: their 1983 album, Secret Messages, is entirely comprised of reversed vocals.

              To end on a more upbeat note, Franz Ferdinand decided to subvert the trope that backmasked messages are often ‘Satanic’ by adding one of the best subliminal messages, the phrase ‘She’s worried about you, call your mother’ into ‘Michael’ to add something wholesome. Aww.

              For more expert articles and inspiration, explore our articles on using music in advertising, films and on YouTube. Our regularly updated playlists have music for every mood or production genre, enabling you to license tracks globally, and for every use.

              Need Music for Your Project?

              At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

              SIGN UP

              This page was last updated 07/03/2024 and 28/05/2024.

              WHAT IS SUBLIMINAL ADVERTISING? Read More »

              The Best Female YouTubers

              FEATURED, OLD, PRODUCTION /

              Looking to quit your job and start a new career as a YouTuber? First things first, it's paramount that you study the best vloggers making a living from the video platform. Which cameras do they use? What's their go-to editing software? How do they record fantastic audio? Where do they get their high-quality background music? To help you get started with your research, we've put together a list of the best female YouTubers, including UK lifestyle YouTubers and so many more.

              Below, we introduce you to 30+ female YouTubers who are constantly raising the bar, including Huda Kattan, Jackie Aina, Shameless Maya and Miranda Sings. Naturally, we will also be drawing your attention to our collection of YouTube-appropriate production music that can instantly elevate a vlog.

              The Best Female YouTubers

               

              • Richest Female YouTubers: Huda Kattan, Lilly Singh
              • Most Subscribed Female YouTubers: Yuya, Jenna Marbles
              • Top Female Beauty YouTubers: SaraBeautyCorner, Michelle Phan, Jackie Aina
              • Female Fitness YouTubers: Yoga With Adriene, Kayla Itsines, FitnessBlender, Nikki Blackketter, POPSUGAR Fitness
              • Inspirational Female YouTubers: Shameless Maya, Bethany Mota, Rosanna Pansino, Nikki Tutorials
              • Funny Female YouTubers: Miranda Sings, GloZell Green, Liza Koshy
              • Black Female YouTubers: Nyma Tang, Patricia Bright, Lyn Allure
              • Asian Female YouTubers: Weylie Hoang, Jenn Im, Hana Lee, Mayuko Inoue
              • British Female YouTubers: Carrie Hope Fletcher, Georgia Marie, Niomi Smart, Rose and Rosie
              • Female Gaming YouTubers: SSSniperWolf, iHasCupquake
              • Female Minecraft YouTubers: LDShadowLady, GamerGirl
              • Political Female YouTubers: Contrapoints, Lauren Chen

              Richest Female YouTubers

               

              Did you know that a handful of the savviest businesswomen in the world actually started out on YouTube? Off the back of producing enticing vlogs, they soon established a staunch following, so when they then founded brands and followed new career paths, they knew full well that their fans would support them. Evidently, it's a recipe for success.

              1. Huda Kattan

               

              Subscribers: 4.8m

              Estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of $510–560 million (estimates vary), Huda Kattan is the beauty blogger and entrepreneur who founded make-up company Huda Beauty in 2013 and Wishful Skincare in 2020. She stepped back from Huda Beauty's CEO role in 2020, then returned to reclaim the title in February 2024, saying she was "finally taking back my power as CEO."

              Huda's YouTube channel has close to five million subscribers who are all eager to discover her beauty tips, listen to her stories and be the first to find out about her ventures.

              2. Lilly Singh

               

              Subscribers: 14.2m

              Lilly Singh rose to fame on the back of her comedy videos satirising Indian and Punjabi culture; unsurprisingly, the ones in which she impersonated her parents have always been super popular.

              Her NBC late-night show, A Little Late with Lilly Singh, was cancelled after two seasons in 2021, but she's stayed busy since: she launched Hyphen8, a media network supporting South Asian creators, joined the ownership group of WNBA side Toronto Tempo, signed with talent agency UTA, and starred in the 2025 film Doin' It.

              She's picked up over 14 million YouTube subscribers along the way, and is still commonly estimated to be worth around $20 million.

              Most Subscribed Female YouTubers

               

              3. Yuya

               

              Subscribers: 25m

              Mexican content creator Yuya joined YouTube at the age of 16 after winning a make-up contest. How did she attract an audience? By creating engaging content covering topics such as beauty, fashion and styling.

              After building up a loyal fan base, Yuya started launching her own products, including a perfume (#True), a cosmetics line and, more recently, her own brand, Bailando Juntos. She stepped back from YouTube for an extended hiatus around 2022 to focus on motherhood, returning sporadically from April 2024 onwards – so while she remains one of the platform's most-subscribed Spanish-language creators, uploads are now occasional rather than regular.

              4. Jenna Marbles

               

              Subscribers: 19.4m

              Kick-starting her YouTube career with 2010 viral video 'How to Trick People into Thinking You're Good Looking' – a video which now boasts 71+ million views – Jenna Marbles used this launchpad to become a hugely successful YouTuber, comedian and actress.

              In June 2020, Jenna announced she was stepping away from YouTube indefinitely, and the channel has been dormant ever since – no new uploads since that announcement. Her subscriber count (19.4 million) has barely moved as a result, and her net worth remains estimated at around $8 million. She may no longer be posting, but her back catalogue – including a line of dog toys inspired by her own canine friends – still holds up as some of the platform's most influential early comedy content.

              Top Female Beauty YouTubers

               

              Beauty is one of the top-ranking topics on YouTube as thousands of makeovers, how-tos, reviews and hauls are uploaded every day. We've already mentioned two of the biggest hitters, Yuya and Huda Kattan, so, who are the best of the best?

              5. SaraBeautyCorner

               

              Subscribers: 10.6m

              Slovenian vlogger Sara Lawler's fun approach to make-up and fashion attracts plenty of teenage fans. She has over 10.5 million subscribers, and she's confidently proclaimed that she has the 'coolest and funniest beauty videos' on the net.

              Seemingly, there is method in her madness as one of her 'school pranks' videos has clocked up over 160 million views. We've got the feeling Sara owes some of her success to her fitting music choices, which truly help her stand out from the crowd.

              6. Michelle Phan

               

              Subscribers: 8.5m

              Michelle was one of the earliest beauty influencers: she established her channel all the way back in 2006. She pivoted into the beauty business with monthly subscription service Ipsy, though she stepped back from Ipsy's day-to-day leadership around 2017 and took an extended break from YouTube between 2015 and 2019 before returning to the platform. She still shares beauty tips and make-up tutorials with her 8.5 million subscribers.

              Altogether, Michelle has generated over 1.1 billion lifetime views, and is still widely estimated to have a net worth around $50 million – built on ventures including cosmetics line EM Cosmetics, women's lifestyle network FAWN (For All Women's Network) and music platform Shift Music Group. Not bad for someone who, 'didn't have a roadmap; I just did it because it was meaningful to me, and I wanted to disrupt the beauty industry.'

              7. Jackie Aina

               

              Subscribers: 3.4m

              Jackie aims to, 'Change the standard of beauty, one video at a time.' Her content is centred around all things make-up and skincare, and she's known for her vibrant, positive energy. In 2026, she was named to TIME's TIME100 Creators list, which credited her advocacy for pushing brands like Too Faced to expand their shade ranges for darker skin tones.

              She remains an outspoken advocate for the representation of people of colour in the beauty industry, has had brand partnerships with Sephora, Too Faced and Anastasia Beverly Hills, and has more recently expanded into lifestyle, travel and interior-design content after signing with talent agency UTA.

              Top Fitness Female YouTubers

               

              Over the past few years, YouTube exercise classes have been a saviour for those of us stuck at home. But who are the top female fitness YouTubers?

              8. Yoga with Adriene

               

              Subscribers: 13.6m

              If you haven't heard of Austin-based yoga teacher Adriene Mishler, then where on earth have you been? She joined YouTube in 2012 with a mission to connect as many people as possible through high-quality free yoga videos. It's safe to say she's succeeded – her subscriber count has grown by more than 3 million since we last checked in.

              Why do people tune into Adriene's vlogs? Well, she's down to earth, friendly, and still includes cameos from her adorable dog Benji, including in her hugely popular annual January beginners' series. On her channel, Adriene has everything from Yoga for Beginners to a variety of 30-day challenges so – no matter what level you're at – she's got the content to keep you motivated.

              9. Kayla Itsines

               

              Subscribers: 417k

              Aussie personal trainer Kayla began her YouTube journey in 2012. Her experience as a dynamic fitness influencer has earned her the top spot on Forbes' list of Top Fitness Influencers; plus, she's also been named one of Time magazine's most influential people on the internet.

              She's best known for her fitness app, BBG (Bikini Body Guide) workouts and line of bestselling books. In 2023, she and co-founder Tobi Pearce bought their app business, Sweat, back from iFIT – she's now head of the brand, with Adam Koch as CEO. And we've got to mention that she's built an Instagram following of around 14–16 million. In short, she's dominating every field she can, even if her YouTube channel itself stays fairly modest in size.

              10. FitnessBlender

               

              Subscribers: 6.6m

              Husband and wife duo Daniel and Kelli have hundreds of free, full-length workout videos on YouTube. Far from slowing down, they scaled up significantly in 2025, releasing over 250 new workout videos and 18 new training programmes – up from a previous pace of just a handful of programmes a year – by growing their team of trainers, dietitians and physical therapists.

              No equipment is needed to work out with Daniel and Kelli, so pull up your leg warmers, grab a bottle of water and get started!

              11. Nikki Blackketter

               

              Subscribers: 674k

              Nikki hails from LA and posts lifestyle vlogs on fitness and weightlifting, together with adventures with her friends, family and her cat. Plus, she's a committed gamer – she still runs a separate gaming YouTube channel!

              Moving back to her fitness channel, she describes her speciality as 'glute/booty and leg lifts'. With over 670,000 subscribers, it appears quite a lot of people are keen to attain Nikki's physique.

              12. POPSUGAR Fitness

               

              Subscribers: 7m

              Do you want variety? Get yourself subscribed to POPSUGAR Fitness – now rebranded as PS Fit, part of PS's 2024 rebrand of the wider POPSUGAR brand. It's literally got something for everyone. Host Anna Renderer works out alongside an expert team of fitness professionals – including some of Hollywood's most sought-after celebrity trainers who take on everything from tabata to barre, hip hop to HIIT, no equipment abs to dynamic yoga.

              The channel remains one of the most-followed fitness destinations on YouTube, though we couldn't pin down an exact up-to-the-minute subscriber or view count for this piece – worth a quick manual check of the @PS_Fit channel before you quote a precise figure.

              Inspirational Female YouTubers

               

              13. Shameless Maya

               

              Subscribers: 1.16m

              'What would happen if I shamelessly promoted myself for 365 days?' This was the question and social experiment that kick-started Maya Washington's channel in 2012. Sure, Shameless Maya may have begun as an experiment, but now it's the multifaceted talent's lifestyle.

              She shares videos on lifestyle, inspiration, transformations and techie content for 'aspiring geeks' and has racked up close to 100 million total views across her channel.

              14. Bethany Mota

               

              Subscribers: 9.3m

              Bethany's subscribers – known as 'Mota-vators' – helped her build one of the most-watched lifestyle channels of the 2010s, covering style, travel, comedy, beauty, cooking, positivity and more, alongside anti-bullying and tolerance messages.

              Since publicly stepping back from the internet in 2020, Bethany has posted only sporadically, and there's no sign yet of a return to her old upload schedule. If Bethany doesn't mota-vate you to be a better person, no one will – even if you might be waiting a while for the next video.

              15. Rosanna Pansino

               

              Subscribers: 14.8m

              Recipe queen Rosanna runs a channel that features everything from videos focusing on fun holiday treats (her Spider-Man candy apples have racked up 66 million views) to 'How to make a Disney Princess sisters cake', a vlog viewed an astonishing 223 million times. Mostly by parents whose kids are huge Frozen stans, we're guessing.

              The success of her cooking show, Nerdy Nummies, has led to Pansino publishing three cookbooks and launching the Rodiculous Podcast in late 2024. In September 2025, she announced she was scaling back her output to manage worsening PMDD symptoms. With over 14.8 million subscribers, 5 billion+ total views and a net worth of around $9 million, we're rooting for a full recovery and whatever she does next.

              16. Nikkie Tutorials

               

              Subscribers: 15.4m

              Also known as one of the best female beauty YouTubers, Nikkie de Jager, aka Nikkie Tutorials, is one of the most inspirational and influential figures on the platform, with over 15 million subscribers and views well over 1 billion.

              Her online fame kicked off when her 'The Power of Make-up' transformation went viral over a decade ago, and she's built a thriving career in the beauty industry since. Her earlier role as Global Beauty Advisor for Marc Jacobs Beauty is worth noting as a past credit rather than a current one – that colour-cosmetics line was discontinued around 2021–2022 and relaunched later under different ownership, with no indication Nikkie remains attached to it.

              Nikkie's 'Layers of Me' series takes you behind the scenes of her life as a vlogger, and her fans remain as engaged as ever with what goes on behind the camera and the ring lights.

              Funny Female YouTubers

               

              17. Miranda Sings

               

              Subscribers: 10.3m

              Colleen Ballinger is the woman behind Miranda Sings: a channel that she originally created as a joke for her theatre friends. If you're not familiar with the YouTube character, know that she is a homeschooled teen from Tacoma, with misapplied lipstick and a strong belief in her own singing talent (despite the fact that she couldn't actually carry a tune in a bucket).

              It's worth flagging that Colleen's public standing has changed considerably since Miranda Sings' viral heyday. In June 2023, several former fans publicly raised concerns about her past conduct toward young followers; her response video, in which she addressed the allegations through song, was widely criticised and amplified the backlash rather than resolving it. Multiple sponsors and collaborators distanced themselves afterwards, and she's since taken further breaks from content, most recently in early 2025. Her channel (10.3 million subscribers) and her Netflix show Haters Back Off remain part of the historical record, but this is an entry worth discussing internally before publishing, given the reputational context.

              18. GloZell Green

               

              Subscribers: 4.5m

              GloZell shot to fame when her hilarious Cinnamon Challenge video went viral in 2012. It's racked up tens of millions of views and half a million-plus likes.

              She's been sharing humorous videos on her channel with her millions of subscribers since 2008, and even interviewed Barack Obama in a YouTube Livestream hosted at the White House in 2015. She's slowed her upload pace considerably since her mid-2010s peak, but she's still around – she appeared on Food Network's Worst Cooks in America in 2025 and posted about the experience on her channel. Basically, YouTube changed her life, even if these days it's just one part of a broader career.

              19. Liza Koshy

               

              Subscribers: 16.6m

              Liza began her career on Vine in 2013, before switching to YouTube. She's now an actress, TV host and comedian who has increasingly moved into film and television – recent credits include the Naked Gun reboot, animated series Primos and a lead role in Family Affair (2024).

              She still ranks as one of the most popular female YouTubers, with over 16 million subscribers and combined views across her two channels well past a billion, even though she now uploads far less frequently than during her YouTube-first years. She's received four Streamy Awards and was named to the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list.

              Black Female YouTubers

               

              20. Nyma Tang

               

              Subscribers: 1.3m

              Born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents in 1991, Nyma Tang moved to the US as a child and later launched her online career with YouTube series The Darkest Shade, in which she reviewed the darkest shades of products from different make-up brands. One of the key reasons she started this series was to highlight the under-representation of deeper skin tones within the beauty industry.

              Nyma remains a well-known beauty vlogger and activist, and her 1.3 million subscribers continue to support her fight against discrimination.

              21. Patricia Bright

               

              Subscribers: 2.7m

              Former investment banker Patricia Bright is, quite fittingly, a ray of sunshine in our lives, and the lives of the rest of her 2.7 million subscribers. The Brit is a total all-rounder: she's been giving us advice on everything from fashion to beauty to home interiors for over a decade, and, to date, has racked up nearly 400 million views.

              Patricia has posted much less frequently in recent years – she's discussed "why she stopped posting" as regularly on a recent podcast appearance – but she remains a wife, a mum, and a critically-acclaimed author: check out her motivational book Heart and Hustle: Use Your Passion. Build Your Brand. Achieve Your Dreams.

              22. Lyn Allure

               

              Subscribers: 424k

              On her channel, Lyn Allure discusses self-improvement, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, personal finances and all things money – from making it in life to saving and investing. Her series Good Girl Gone Boss looks at side hustles, money management, the law of attraction, personal development and more; essentially, the series is about transitioning from being an employee to becoming your own boss full time.

              Lyn's upload schedule has become more irregular in recent years, though her wider business – memberships, workshops and a budget workbook – is still up and running. Her 424,000 subscribers are testament to the following she built at her peak.

              Asian Female YouTubers

               

              23. Weylie Hoang

               

              Subscribers: 1.75m

              Weylie Hoang is a Chinese-American vlogger in her early 30s who describes herself as, 'the sister you never had… or the sister you never wanted'. Most of her content is lifestyle-based, from food to fitness, but she also talks about her relationship, mental health and her quest to learn Chinese.

              Having grown up Chinese-American, Weylie uses her story to encourage her 1.75 million subscribers to embrace their culture, whatever that may be. She and partner Wah Nguyen also run a joint channel, WahlieTV, with a further 400k+ subscribers. Now that's an inspiring way to use a platform.

              24. Jenn Im

               

              Subscribers: 1.75m

              Weylie Hoang is a Chinese-American vlogger in her early 30s who describes herself as, 'the sister you never had… or the sister you never wanted'. Most of her content is lifestyle-based, from food to fitness, but she also talks about her relationship, mental health and her quest to learn Chinese.

              Having grown up Chinese-American, Weylie uses her story to encourage her 1.75 million subscribers to embrace their culture, whatever that may be. She and partner Wah Nguyen also run a joint channel, WahlieTV, with a further 400k+ subscribers. Now that's an inspiring way to use a platform.

              25. Hana Lee

               

              Subscribers: 319k

              Hana Lee does everything from styling videos based on her favourite anime characters to fun make-up inspired by the 'mean girl' and 'nice girl' tropes from K-drama.

              Hana also loves K-Pop and is learning Korean. She's still uploading roughly weekly, keeping her audience of 319,000 subscribers well fed with new content.

              26. Mayuko Inoue

               

              Subscribers: 535k

              California-based Mayuko Inoue built her channel as a Japanese-American vlogger and software engineer, having worked at Netflix and a handful of Silicon Valley companies. In other words, she's super cool.

              Mayuko's channel has been quiet for a couple of years now – her more recent bio describes her as an "iOS Engineer at Apple… ex-YouTuber", suggesting she's shifted back to software engineering as her main focus. Her back catalogue – covering everything from 'Fostering Creativity as an Asian American' to 'What Does "Senior" Software Engineer Mean?' – is still there for her almost 535,000 subscribers to enjoy.

              British Female YouTubers

               

              Who are the Brits you should be liking and subscribing to? Well, there’s quite a few. Our little nation stands up well in the world of YouTube.

              27. Carrie Hope Fletcher

               

              Subscribers: 624k

              Carrie is a West End star, singer-songwriter, musician, author and lifestyle YouTuber whose subscribers love her candour and attitude. Since her time in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella (which closed in 2022), she's played Queen Elizabeth in The Crown Jewels, starred as Jovie in Elf the Musical opposite her husband Joel Montague, led the UK/Ireland tour of Calamity Jane, and is currently starring as Jenna in the Waitress UK/Ireland tour from March 2026. She's also taken her own solo show, The Ghost Light Tour, around UK cathedrals, and published a new children's book in 2024.

              Alongside theatre-centric videos, Carrie keeps her 624,000 subscribers entertained by discussing fashion, literature, self-care, marriage and, more recently, motherhood – she and Joel welcomed daughter Mabel in March 2024.

              28. Georgia Marie

               

              Subscribers: 225k

              Now in her early 30s, Georgia Marie is a creator who loves sharing stories from history (most of them, lesser-known) as well as unsolved true crime cases. Different, right?

              Each video is feature-length and Georgia is a great storyteller, no matter if the story is spooky, awe-inspiring or mysterious. Her upload pace has slowed a little, but her channel is still active for her 225,000 subscribers.

              29. Niomi Smart

               

              Subscribers: 1.45m

              Niomi built her name on plant-based lifestyle content, and her channel has since broadened out into wellness, spirituality and personal growth more generally, alongside her long-running interest in wellness, everyday recipes, healthy food swaps, organic make-up and sustainable fashion.

              One of Niomi's most viewed series is What I Eat in a Day. These vlogs have been filmed everywhere from LA to Bali to Thailand, and it's always interesting to see how she finds tasty food everywhere across the globe.

              30. Rose and Rosie

               

              Subscribers: 970k

              Married couple Rose and Rosie are on a mission to dispel myths surrounding the LGBTQ+ community as they talk about their lives, play video games and make up songs. They marked ten years together in 2025 and have since become parents to two children, with their content shifting accordingly towards family life alongside their usual mix of relationship talk and comedy.

              It's impossible not to love Rose and Rosie's warm, honest approach, especially when it comes to sex and relationships. They also run vlogging channel The Roxetera (around 475,000 subscribers) and a gaming channel called Let's Play Games.

              Female Gamers on YouTube

               

              31. SSSniper Wolf

               

              Subscribers: 35m

              Lia – aka SSSniperWolf – has around 35 million subscribers to her gaming channel, launched in 2011. In case you're wondering, the name SSSniperWolf came from Sniper Wolf: the name of one of the main antagonists and bosses of Metal Gear Solid.

              SSSniperWolf's tips for YouTube success? 'Don't do it to make money. You should genuinely care about your audience and want to make people happy, entertain them, and help them escape from any problems they may have that are bothering them.' Worth noting: she's also been in the headlines for a few less positive reasons in recent years, including an ongoing legal dispute with her estranged husband over their shared company and a 2025 FTC settlement tied to undisclosed paid game promotions – a reminder that, love her or not, she's one of YouTube's most talked-about creators for reasons beyond subscriber count. Find out how to follow in Lia's footsteps with tips on the best gaming software.

              32. iHasCupQuake

               

              Subscribers: 7.1m

              Tiffany Herrera is a famous gamer, better known by her YouTube handle, iHasCupquake. Guinness World Records still lists her as the holder of the "Most Popular Female Games Broadcaster on YouTube" title (their own published figures for the record date back to 2017 and haven't been refreshed, so her real numbers are considerably higher than what's shown there). She's since amassed over 3 billion views.

              iHasCupquake has over 7 million avid subscribers, and continues to post regularly. In other words, she's a hard worker who is reaping the benefits of the effort she's put into her channel.

              33. LD Shadow Lady

               

              Subscribers: 7.5m

              Looking for the best female Minecraft YouTuber? Check out British gaming girl Elizabeth Dwyer, who originally created a channel to perfect her Call of Duty skills. Of course, that's before she discovered Minecraft and became fascinated by the game's endless possibilities.

              Lizzie ended up developing her own games within the Minecraft universe and has clocked up over 3.6 billion total views from her 7.5 million subscribers along the way. After a quieter spell, she returned with a new "Forever World" series in 2025/2026, so she remains an active fixture of the Minecraft YouTube scene.

              34. GamerGirl

               

              Subscribers: 5.9m

              Now 19 years old, GamerGirl remains one of the most successful Minecraft-turned-Roblox vloggers around, having built her channel since she was a young teenager.

              Karina Kurzawa was born in Canada in 2007, and established her YouTube channel at the age of nine. Karina started out by reviewing toys, food and other things she found interesting, but, as we know, it was gaming vlogs – now spanning both Minecraft and Roblox – where she found her success.

              Political Female YouTubers

               

              35. Contrapoints

               

              Subscribers: 1.9m

              Virginia-born Natalie Wynn – better known by her YouTube alias, Contrapoints – has made a name for herself by sharing her political and philosophical views online. She's covered everything from race to gender to sexuality in her vlogs that have helped her reach almost 120 million views.

              Natalie began making YouTube content back in 2008 when she was 20 years old, and most of her original videos focused on her atheist views. But it wasn't until 2016 that she adopted the Contrapoints identity and started to challenge norms and popular notions. A decade on, Natalie has managed to pique the interest of nearly 1.9 million people who now count themselves Contrapoints subscribers.

              Round-Up: Top 10 Female YouTubers

               

              So, who are our favourite female YouTubers? Who do we think you should be subscribing to right now? Who is doing it like no one else? Find our list of the top 10 female YouTubers below (listed in no particular order):

              1. NikkieTutorials
              2. Huda Kattan
              3. Patricia Bright
              4. iHasCupquake
              5. Yoga with Adriene
              6. Georgia Marie
              7. Carrie Hope Fletcher
              8. Rosanna Pansino
              9. Nyma Tang
              10. Jenn Im

              It’s Your Turn to Become a YouTube Sensation

               

              So, now you’ve explored our list of the best female YouTubers, it’s time to have a go yourself! Make sure you’ve got all the right equipment and software – and, of course, don’t forget your background music!

              Whether you think you’ve got a shot at becoming a successful gaming YouTuber, travel YouTuber or fashion and beauty YouTuber, we’ve got the music that’ll make your project sing. The best way to discover our ever-expanding catalogue? By browsing our playlists that range from Classical Collection to Kick-Ass Women.

              Need Music for Your Project?

              At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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              Subtitle Fonts & the Most Common Anime Subtitle Font

              FEATURED, OLD, PRODUCTION /

              Subtitles: they’re pretty great. They allow international audiences to consume foreign-language content; they give the hard of hearing the opportunity to immerse themselves in the worlds of film and television; and they help audiences understand every word of a video’s dialogue, even when it’s quiet or muffled, all while maintaining styles such as an anime subtitle font.

              However, they’re only effective if they’re presented in an appropriate subtitle font. anime subtitle font

              Now, we don’t mean to sound dramatic but there really is nothing worse than an unpleasant subtitle font – it can completely put you off a piece of content.

              For example, imagine watching an epic blockbuster like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Endgame or Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, accompanied by a font that’s inappropriate (Comic Sans, anyone?) or, even worse, hard to read. It would completely ruin your experience.

              Now that you understand how important it is to use a clear, aesthetically pleasing typeface, it’s time to get an expert view on subtitle fonts.

              What Is the Netflix Subtitle Font?

               

              Netflix, the streaming service that once famously used a slightly-robotic Consolas typeface (we were into it), now allows subscribers to change the subtitle font to their liking.

              To access the settings to change a font, you must begin by visiting your Netflix account from a web browser.

              From here, you can select your profile in ‘Profile and Parent Controls’ and scroll down to ‘Subtitle Appearance’.

              Then click ‘Change’ to open up Subtitle Appearance: a page which gives you options to change the font, colour, size and shadow of your subtitle text.

              After you’ve made your selection you can hit save and, just like that, your subtitles will change next time you stream Netflix content.

              So, what subtitle fonts are available on Netflix? Well, there’s Typewriter, Print, Console, Block, Casual, Cursive and Small Caps. Our go-to? The uber-clean Block font; it feels the most ‘Netflix-y’, in our opinion.

              What Are the Most Common Movie Subtitle Fonts?

               

              It’s always interesting to see what subtitle font a film studio, platform or channel opts for as it can either add to the movie’s vibe or, as we spoke about above, ruin it.

              For example, imagine if Parasite was paired with an insufferable typeface. Would we have enjoyed watching it so much? Would it’ve won the Oscar? Probably not.

              The most common movie subtitle fonts seem to be the kind of fonts we see (and use) every day.

              We’re talking obvious choices such as Lucida Grande, Cambria, Arial and Times New Roman.

              These styles are chosen because they’re familiar, timeless and easy to process; they feel suitable for every kind of film genre.

              What Is the Most Common Anime Subtitle Font?

               

              Anime’s outlandish, thought-provoking narratives aren’t always the easiest to follow – especially when they aren’t dubbed in English.

              Hence, anime films and TV shows must opt for an easy-to-read font so that their global audience can comprehend the plot, characters and ideologies of the animation.

              One of the most common anime subtitle fonts is Trebuchet: an unassuming, no-frills font that can be read quickly and with ease. However, anime font styles are truly endless!

              What Is the Standard Subtitle Font Size?

               

              It’s hard to offer an idea of what the standard font size for subtitles is, as every outlet and service has its own preferences.

              For example, if you were to ask the BBC what font size you should use to appeal to their channel, they would suggest you refer to their guidelines which clearly state that subtitles must have a line-height of 8% of the active video height.

              However, if you ask Channel 4 what font size they’d prefer, they’d suggest a size 28 (linear fonts) or size 32 (anamorphic fonts) for entertainment content and a size 30 (linear fonts) or 34 (anamorphic fonts) for factual content.

              What Is the Best Subtitle Software?

               

              A subtitle software is what it says on the tin – it’s a programme used to create, edit, format and position subtitles.

              Here are the most popular subtitle software programmes used worldwide.

              1. Movavi

               

               

              2. Jubler

               

              3. Aegisub

               

              4. Adobe Premiere Pro

               

              What Are the Best Subtitle Font Download Websites?

               

              If you’re feeling underwhelmed by the choices of fonts available in your software, you can always choose to download new fonts from the internet. Our favourite subtitle font download websites include:

              What Is the Best Subtitle Font Generator?

               

              We don’t care what any sprightly intern says, transcribing is a tedious task.

              But, luckily, there are a plethora of applications available out there – some of which are free – that will automatically transcribe your work and generate subtitles for you.

              Here are four of the best subtitle font generators around.

              1. VEED
              2. YouTube
              3. Happyscribe
              4. Bee Cut

              Music in Foreign-Language Films

               

              If you’re creating a foreign-language film, TV show or vlog and you’re confident it’ll appeal to an English-speaking audience, you’re going to need more than just a cool subtitle font – you’re going to need some storytelling background music. Why? Well because background music can help viewers grasp the feel of a scene, or help to tell your story, whether they understand the dialogue or not.

              Fortunately for you, we’ve got an entire catalogue of background music tracks, brimming with compositions that evoke every kind mood and emotion. We’ve got angry background music, romantic background music, sad background music and more. Check out our new releases, which we pull into hand-picked playlists every fortnight.

              Need Music for Your Project?

               

              At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

              SIGN UP

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              15 Types of Camera Movements, Shots and Angles

              FEATURED, OLD, PRODUCTION /

              Camera angles and the way a camera moves is tremendously important – just ask your favourite influencer. But we’re not here to discuss the catfish and selfies of social media, we’re here to explore the camera techniques used in the film industry.

              As film buffs ourselves, we appreciate the significance of camera movements and the role they play in visual storytelling. Which is why we’ve taken on the task of teaching you everything you need to know about camera movements, shots and angles before you get your shot list and film treatment ready to pitch to Hollywood.

              You can thank us in that future Oscars speech of yours.

              Types of Camera Movements & Angles

               

              • Zoom
              • Tilt
              • Pan
              • Dolly Zoom
              • Truck

              1. Zoom

               

              Now, we’re not about to explain to you smartphone users what the term ‘zoom’ means, lest you feel patronised; but we will explore the reasons why directors choose to use zoom in their movies.

              Usually, zoom is used to allow the audience to view an object in more detail – whether that be the colours of a bird's feathers or the expressions on an actor’s face.

              But, on occasion, zoom is used for dramatic effect. Take Quentin Tarantino’s signature use of zoom, for example. The auteur's quirky style of directing involves zooming in a disruptive and cartoonish manner to dramatically focus on a detail or character, or to swiftly shift the story from one place to another.

              Check out Tarantino’s use of zoom in Django Unchained (2012) below.

              2. Tilt

               

              Our next self-explanatory camera movement on the list is tilt, which – as one would expect – describes the up and down tilting motion of a camera.

              The tilt camera movement is frequently used to add an element of surprise, revealing something pivotal to the audience.

              One of our favourite uses of tilt – and one of the most famous uses of tilt of all time – is in the opening scene of the first Star Wars film, A New Hope.

              In the film's opening scene, the camera tilts down from a familiar shot of stars and a moon to reveal an alien planet that’s soon to be shadowed by Darth Vader’s mean-looking star destroyer.

              This scene is also an establishing shot (something we’ll discuss a little later on) as it informs the audience that this spaceship is where the next scene is about to take place.

              Watch the opening scene of Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) below.

              3. Pan

               

              Now for a more ‘film school’ term. The pan is a horizontal camera movement that either follows the action of a narrative or reveals more of a scene. For this movement, the camera remains still on its axis.

              Although pan is considered to be one of the more basic types of camera movements, it can be used in a range of unique ways to add a touch of je ne sais quoi to a movie. And, like most things in life, the pan is best demonstrated by the one and only Mr Wes Anderson.

              Just look at this collection of creative pan shots in his award-winning flick The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) below.

              4. Dolly Zoom

               

              A dolly zoom camera movement is one that smoothly moves towards the subject using, unsurprisingly, a dolly – the film industry term for a wheeled cart.

              So, what’s the difference between a zoom and a dolly zoom? We hear you ask.

              In a nutshell, a zoom uses the digital or optical zoom to close in on a subject, whereas a dolly zoom involves the camera moving physically closer to the subject. Check out the dolly zoom used in Vertigo here:

              And, if you’re wondering what difference that makes visually, a dolly zoom makes the audience feel like they’re walking towards the subject in focus.

              Or, if used for dramatic effect, the dolly zoom camera movement can create an optical illusion that makes the background of a scene look as though it’s getting wider.

              This illusion was first used by Hancock in his 1958 classic Vertigo. For this reason, the dolly zoom is said to create a ‘vertigo effect’.

              And see it later used by Stephen Spielberg in Jaws (1975) here:

              5. Truck

               

              Like the dolly movement, the truck is a fixed camera movement; but instead of moving forwards and backwards, the truck moves from left to right or, less commonly, right to left. Again, this involves the use of a wheeled cart or a motion track.

              To help you gain a further understanding of the truck camera movement, check out this scene from Shame (2011) below.

              Types of Camera Shots

               

              • Wide Shot
              • Medium Shot
              • Close Up Shot
              • Extreme Close Up Shot
              • Establishing Shot
              • Aerial Shot
              • Low Angle Shot
              • Over the Shoulder Shot
              • Point of View Shot
              • Rack Focus Shot

              5. Wide Shot

               

              A wide shot (AKA a full shot; AKA a long shot) provides the audience with a complete look at a character and their surroundings. Wide shots are used in films of varying genres for many different reasons.

              In a car-centric blockbuster, a wide shot may be used to fit all of action into one scene; in a superhero film, a wide shot may be used to demonstrate the speed in which a hero can fly around the world; and in a fantasy epic, a wide shot may be used to display the vastness of a war or battle.

              6. Medium Shot

               

              A medium shot is, as the name implies, the perfect middle – which is why it’s been used religiously for over 100 years.

              It’s a shot that allows the audience to concurrently view the setting in which a scene takes place and pay attention to a character’s body language/facial expressions.

              Take a look at some of the most famous medium shots in film history below.

              7. Close Up Shot

               

              A close up shot engages viewers by revealing details of a subject – from the micro-expressions of an actress to the inscription on a headstone. These details are often crucial to the narrative, which is why it’s essential that the shot commands attention.

              Watch some of the best close up shots in film history below.

              8. Extreme Close Up Shot

               

              If a close up isn’t close enough then a director can opt for an extreme close up shot to explore the intricate details of a subject – say, a teenager’s dilated iris or the engraving on a wedding ring.

              Watch a prime example of an extreme close up below, taken from David Fincher’s cult classic Fight Club (1999).

              9. Establishing Shot

               

              Simply put, an establishing shot sets the scene by offering context about the next shot’s setting.

              For example, every time the plot of a Harry Potter flick circles back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the audience is met with a sublime shot of the grand establishment.

              Take a look at a handful of these establishing shots from the Harry Potter franchise below.

              10. Aerial Shot

               

              Also known as the God’s eye view shot and the bird's eye view shot, an aerial shot looks down on a scene.

              This shot can be used in myriad ways – many of which are found in the works of the incomparable Wes Anderson. (Sorry not sorry.)

              Explore how the auteur imaginatively uses aerial shots in the video below.

              11. Low Angle Shot

               

              From the sky to the ground, the low angle shot is chiefly used to make a character appear more important, heroic, powerful and threatening.

              Additionally, a low angle shot may also be used to exaggerate the scale of a setting – especially those teeming with skyscrapers;

              Take a look at Studio Binder’s take on low-angle shots below.

              12. Over the Shoulder Shot

               

              If there’s any shot perfect for filming conversations, it’s the over the shoulder shot – which (you guessed it!) puts the camera above a character’s shoulder.

              This type of shot is used in films to constantly remind the audience which characters are conversing, placing one character in the middle of the shot, facing the camera and the other in the foreground with their back to the camera.

              See the over the shoulder shot in play by watching the video below.

              13. Point of View Shot

               

              No other shot puts the audience in a character’s shoes quite like the point of view shot.

              This camera technique forces the audience to adopt the eyes and ears of a character so that they may experience the scene from a first-person perspective.

              Check out the Coen Brothers’ use of the point of view shot below.

              14. Rack Focus Shot

               

              The rack focus shot is a simple, yet effective camera trick that shifts focus from one subject to another.

              Used to reveal something new within a scene – something that’s already in the eyeline of the audience – the rack focus shot switches emphasis between two subjects.

              Check out this clip from 2006’s Casino Royale to see the rack focus shot in action.

              Aaaaand Cut!

               

              Now that you've come to appreciate the importance of camera movements, angles and shots just as much as we do, you'll be watching your favourite films with a brand new outlook, admiring the creativity that goes into each and every scene.

              And, if you're looking to direct and/or produce your own film, you'll do well to remember we have all the background music you could dream of in our high-quality catalogue of over 300,000 tracks. We've got music for animation films, adventure sequels, sci-fi blockbusters, horror flicks, spy films, spaghetti westerns and more.

              Need Music for Your Project?

               

              At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

              SIGN UP

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