hardstyle
what it is
Hardstyle is a music genre that shows similarities to trance, gabber and hardtrance. Hardstyle is also known as hard dance, hard trance or hardbass in countries outside the Netherlands. The sound is best described as hard beats with a strong melody.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make hardstyle a playlist
turn these 28 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is hardstyle?
Hardstyle is a music genre that shows similarities to trance, gabber and hardtrance. Hardstyle is also known as hard dance, hard trance or hardbass in countries outside the Netherlands. The sound is best described as hard beats with a strong melody.
What are good hardstyle albums to start with?
Try April Mixtape 2 by Snow Strippers, Terraria, Vol. 4 (Original Soundtrack) by Scott Lloyd Shelly, Parmi Les Mortels by aamourocean, and Gold by 2hollis.
Who are some women making hardstyle?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/hardstyle/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making hardstyle, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20