romance
what it is
The term romance (Spanish: romance/romanza, Italian: romanza, German: Romanze, French: romance, Russian: романс, Portuguese: romance, Romanian: romanţă) has a centuries-long history. Applied to narrative ballads in Spain, it came to be used by the 18th century for simple lyrical pieces not only for voice, but also for instruments alone. The Oxford Dictionary of Music states that "generally it implies a specially personal or tender quality".
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
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 romance a playlist
turn these 15 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is romance?
The term romance (Spanish: romance/romanza, Italian: romanza, German: Romanze, French: romance, Russian: романс, Portuguese: romance, Romanian: romanţă) has a centuries-long history. Applied to narrative ballads in Spain, it came to be used by the 18th century for simple lyrical pieces not only for voice, but also for instruments alone. The Oxford Dictionary of Music states that "generally it implies a specially personal or tender quality".
What are good romance albums to start with?
Try Sin daños a terceros by Ricardo Arjona, Eva 2001 by Evinha, Olindance by Academia da Berlinda, and A Panela Do Diabo by Marcelo Nova.
Who are some women making romance?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/romance/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making romance, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21