Alternative

Alternative music broadly encompasses a diverse sound, often characterized by unconventional song structures, raw energy, and a departure from mainstream rock and pop conventions, frequently featuring prominent guitars, bass, and drums, with vocals ranging from melodic to angsty. Its roots lie in the post-punk and new wave scenes of the 1980s, emerging as a reaction against corporate rock, drawing influences from punk's DIY ethos and the experimentalism of underground bands. Iconic artists include R.E.M., Nirvana, and Radiohead. Grunge, with its fusion of punk and heavy metal, became a hugely influential subgenre, bringing alternative music to global prominence.