Why Breakcore is a Unique Art form

Walkthroughwonder
4 min readOct 5, 2022

--

Being a niche genre doesn’t make it any less awesome!

Circuit Bent by Walkthroughwonder

If you listen to Breakcore — A style and micro-genre of electronic dance music that emerged from jungle, hardcore, and drum and bass in the mid-to-late 1990s- you probably know Breakcore is the kind of music that rewards those who research before they get hooked. But for those who don’t spend their nights reading about sub-genres and are simply interested in discovering new music, here’s why you should pay special attention to Breakcore.

(Scroll to the end to listen to a selection of Breakcore music)

Breakcore Is Richly Diverse

If you’re used to listening to one kind of music, the first thing you’ll notice when you get into Breakcore is how diverse it is. Breakcore artists don’t place restrictions on themselves when it comes to genre.

Synth_1 by Walkthroughwonder

The same Breakcore artist may put out one track that sounds like heavy metal and one that sounds like a pop music mashup and both would sound completely natural. Breakcore is the kind of genre where artists don’t think about fitting into the boundaries and limitations of other genres. This is what makes Breakcore so fascinating. You never know what you’re going to get from one track to the next. If you like having your mind blown, Breakcore is the genre for you.

It’s a Little Weird

Breakcore is as weird as it is diverse. Where some genres are strangely regimented, Breakcore is chaotic and completely unpredictable. The same artist who made the heavy metal track mentioned above might make another track that sounds like the soundtrack to a 1980s Japanese cartoon. A single Breakcore artist might put out one track that sounds like apocalyptic EDM and another that sounds like a strange amalgamation of Indian classical and EDM. If you like music that makes you feel unhinged and delightedly disoriented, Breakcore is the genre for you. It’s the type of music that has no qualms about experimenting with new sounds and new combinations of sounds, so you never know what you’re going to get next.

Breakcore is a living, breathing genre, and this is reflected in how quickly it evolves. You may notice that as you begin to explore the genre, there are many tracks that you recognize as classics. But they may sound different to you than they do to the Breakcore veterans. That’s because Breakcore is a genre that doesn’t stand still. It’s always evolving and growing. There are new genres within the Breakcore umbrella that are only just beginning to take shape and become distinct. If you like to keep up with the latest trends in music, Breakcore is a great way to do that. You can see the way the genre is evolving, and you can also see artists experimenting with new sounds and new ways of fusing genres together.

It’s Great for Head Banging and Exercise

Photo by Jane Stockdale

One of the most interesting things about Breakcore is that it blends seamlessly with other sub-genres of EDM. This means that it’s great for head banging. Perfect for those who want to spice up their workout or exercise routine with some music. Because Breakcore is all about intense bass and heavy sounds, it’s also great for people who want to release their aggression through exercise or want something to motivate them to push harder. Depending on what sub-genre you choose, you can increase or decrease the intensity of the music depending on your goal.

Suggested Listening

Conclusion

Breakcore is not just a sub-genre of EDM; it’s a culture and community all on its own. It’s also one of the most diverse genres of electronic music out there. And yet, it’s a very small and niche sub-genre — which means it’s often overlooked. Breakcore artists are very unique, interesting and creative. They’ve created a scene that’s entirely their own, and it’s definitely worth exploring. If you want to discover new music and be challenged, give Breakcore a try. You may just fall in love with it.

--

--

Walkthroughwonder

Technologist, Creative Director. Creating interesting work using the power of IQ and AI. More at: https://www.instagram.com/walkthroughwonder/