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STR ReadMusic

by Barbara Yakimchuk

5 Music Styles To Uncover This Summer

19 Jun 2025

Photo: Getty Images

If I asked you to describe your perfect summer, you would probably mention dashing between airports, dancing late into the night with friends, picking up a new hobby (wakesurfing, perhaps?), and browsing outfits for your next dinner reservation. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? But what if I suggested you simply... pause for a moment?
And there is one thing that could really help with that — music. Slow, deep, a little dreamy, inviting you to breathe it all in.
So, which genres can create that feeling? I may not have all the answers — but I know someone who does: STR creative director, Kito Jempere. And before diving in, a small pro tip: turn on an STR playlist. And enjoy!
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What genres are we exploring today?

Our five picks:
  • Balearic House
  • Downtempo
  • Ambient House
  • Reggae
  • Jazzy House

Why these genres?

Because the world feels a little tired. The constant rush of digital life — endless scrolling and a flood of notifications — has changed how we consume everything, including music. Today, tracks are designed to grab your attention instantly. If they don't hook you within the first 15 seconds, they are considered a failure. It is all bold, bright, and fast — sound crafted for algorithms, not for the soul.
That is exactly why the idea of slow art matters more than ever. Art that asks for time. That invites focus — whether it is walking through a museum, shooting film photography, or gently placing the needle on a vinyl record.
These five genres are made for this slower way of listening. They don't scream for attention. They breathe. This summer, take it as an invitation: to stop chasing the next big thing — and start choosing music that takes its time, tells a story, and lets you drift.

Balearic House

Date of birth? The genre emerged in the 1980s, and while the music itself is laid-back, it was actually born in a nightclub — the iconic Amnesia in Ibiza.
How to recognise? Balearic House is a relaxed style of music that blends elements of different genres like disco, house, and funk, yet still creates a dreamy vibe. So if you don't know how to describe what you are listening to — it might just be Balearic.
Interesting fact: Balearic House wasn't originally meant to be a genre! It was simply how DJs described their sets when mixing different styles, jumping from track to track without worrying about genre boundaries.

Ambient House

Date of birth? In the late 1980s, also in the heart of the legendary chillout rooms. That is when DJs began blending house rhythms with ambient textures to give dancers a moment to unwind.
How to recognise? You won't hear vocals here — instead, expect long, dreamy synths and soft, atmospheric sounds. It is music that feels spacious and almost weightless.
Interesting fact: People used to describe Ambient House by saying, “You don't even need to dance to it” — and that is exactly the point.

Downtempo

Date of birth? In the 1990s. By the way, have you ever heard of chillout rooms in nightclubs — the quiet corners where people went to relax? That is exactly where this genre found its roots.
How to recognise? Slow rhythms, rich textures, and often the use of live instruments — like acoustic guitars or ethnic sounds — that create a jazzy and immersive vibe.
Interesting fact: This is one of the rare genres you can hear both in nightclubs and… yoga or pilates studios!

Reggae

Date of birth? The oldest genre on our list, reggae was born in the 1960s in Jamaica, quickly becoming a symbol of the country’s cultural identity.
How to recognise? It is chill and slow — but you can definitely feel the beat (the kind of rhythm that makes your head start nodding). Alongside piano and guitar on the offbeat, you will always hear deep bass and steady drums driving the groove.
Interesting fact: Even if you have never really listened to reggae, you definitely know Bob Marley. He became the reggae biggest ambassador and helped bring its sound to the global stage.

Jazzy House

Date of birth? Early 1990s. Born in the United States, where the roots of both house (Chicago) and jazz (New Orleans) collided in the clubs.
How to recognise? This is the genre you will probably know right away — jazzy melodies, saxophones, and pianos all layered over classic 4/4 house beats.
Interesting fact: Jazzy House is one of the few electronic genres that is often played live, with real instruments and musicians. No surprise there — jazz has always been about energy, spontaneity, and performance!

If we let our imagination run wild — what does this kind of music suit best? A morning coffee? A road trip? A takeoff soundtrack?

Balearic, Ambient House, Disco — this is music made for the sea. Music that belongs on a beach. Think slow sunrises and even slower sunsets. These tracks take their time — 7, 11, sometimes even 12 minutes long.
Downtempo is a timeless genre that keeps finding new ways to evolve. It wraps you in a warm blanket of sound and lets you float with the current, somewhere between 80 and 90 BPM. Artists like Part Time Heroes and Boards of Canada are still creating vivid, atmospheric soundscapes that stay with you.
All of these styles share one thing: they are built around harmony, space, and flow. It is music that does not rush — it invites you in, takes you somewhere, and holds your attention without needing to shout.