groovy
what it is
Groove is the sense of propulsive rhythmic "feel" or sense of "swing" created by the interaction of the music played by a band's rhythm section (drums, electric bass or double bass, guitar, and keyboards). The term is mainly used in the context of genres outside of Western art music, such as funk, rock music, power groove, fusion, and soul. While some musicians have called the concept of "groove" a subjective and elusive notion, they acknowledge that the concept is well-understood by experienced musicians at a practical, intuitive level.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make groovy a playlist
turn these 25 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is groovy?
Groove is the sense of propulsive rhythmic "feel" or sense of "swing" created by the interaction of the music played by a band's rhythm section (drums, electric bass or double bass, guitar, and keyboards). The term is mainly used in the context of genres outside of Western art music, such as funk, rock music, power groove, fusion, and soul. While some musicians have called the concept of "groove" a subjective and elusive notion, they acknowledge that the concept is well-understood by experienced musicians at a practical, intuitive level.
What are good groovy albums to start with?
Try These Streets by Paolo Nutini, Diamonds On The Inside by Ben Harper, Love in a Black Dimension by Jestofunk, and Fungus Amongus by Incubus.
Who are some women making groovy?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/groovy/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making groovy, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20