Top 10 Most Depressing Music Genres

Funeral Doom Metal

Songs like Mirror Reaper by Bell Witch embody a sort of despair that other genres try and fail to achieve. Other genres try to paint a picture for you, whereas funeral doom immerses you in the depression. It's like the difference between looking at a painting and being in the painting. Of course, I'm being slightly dramatic, as this music won't literally plunge you into a depressive state of mind (at least hopefully not).

Suicidal Depressive Black Metal

You take black metal, which is already extreme by itself, and add extremely severe depression to it, you'll get depressive suicidal black metal.

It's just the number one. It's just the best. The top two grunge is happy and optimistic compared to this genre.

Well, it's in the name. If you are feeling down, do not listen to this music for obvious reasons.

Doom Metal

Doom metal should be number one here. Many bands draw lyrical content from personal experiences. Everything about it, whether it's the crushing heaviness in the music or the lyrics and vocals, is depressing.

Post-Punk

Joy Division always had a very dark and depressive sound, and they were the fathers of post-punk.

Dark Ambient

Gothic Metal

Grunge

Grunge, sometimes referred to as the Seattle sound, is a subgenre of alternative rock. It originated in the Pacific Northwest during the mid-1980s and became widely popular in the early 1990s. Bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden helped bring the genre into the mainstream, influencing fashion... read more

Grunge is the most depressing because of the subjects. Doom is depressing because of the music, but it doesn't depress me because it's just putting on a show. Grunge artists really mean to represent all of this depressive stuff in their music because they have been through a lot of tough things in life.

Easily the most depressing. It's all about either being angry or sad. But depressing doesn't mean bad. There are some amazing grunge artists like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and so much more!

Emo

Emo is a style of rock music characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It began in the mid-1980s as part of the hardcore punk movement in Washington, D.C., where it was initially called "emotional hardcore" or "emocore." Bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace... read more

They cut themselves and smoke.

Alternative Rock

Alternative rock is a style of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s. It became widely popular during the 1990s. The term "alternative" highlights the genre's separation from the mainstream rock music of its time.

Alternative Rock isn't really that depressing. It has songs that are more about breakups than most. So, it isn't depressing, but it is definitely sad, if that makes sense.

Sad. There are songs like Renegades, Exile, and Everybody Hurts within this genre. And these songs are just sad.

Blues

Blues is a music genre and musical form originated by African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the end of the 19th century. It developed from roots in African musical traditions, African-American work songs, and spirituals. Blues has influenced many other genres, including jazz... read more

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Post-Rock

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Post-Metal

Nu Metal

Most nu-metal bands talk about depression, substance abuse, and other dark subject matter. Songs such as Daddy, Blind, Scissors, Numb, and Down With The Sickness are perfect examples.

Pop

I find this genre depressing because the musicians lack talent. I get even more depressed when my friends sing it. It's easy to sing, but they still manage to sing it out of tune.
There's too little dynamic contrast, the lyrics don't match the music, it's monotonous, and it's highly repetitive. It's really bad!

The poor quality of many pop songs is depressing.

It reminds me of how terrible urban life is.

Metalcore

Horrorcore

Hip-Hop

Hip-hop was originally fun. But over the years, it has become dark and depressing. It always concentrates on the negative side of life, whether it's a breakup, killing, or hurting somebody - all kinds of stuff that brings you down.

There's so much separation. We spend more time beefing with each other than protecting the culture. No unity.

Shoegaze

How was this not on here earlier?

Lo-fi

I don't know, man. It just makes you want to drink a lot and smoke while watching the night go by. Some songs are really depressing.

Country

How many times can you sing about your wife leaving you?

Country is the most depressing music when you're depressed and suicidal. That's the truth.

Post-Grunge

Yes, definitely. So depressing. I cried for three hours straight after listening to this genre.

Bands like Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Three Days Grace, etc., are misrepresented a lot. They aren't edgy, more so just depressing.

Emo Rap

Lyrical themes tend to focus on heartbreak, depression, self-medication, and wanting to commit suicide, all while singing or rapping in some sort of emotional way. Fans often call themselves "sad boys."

Progressive Rock

Progressive rock is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and the United States during the mid to late 1960s. It is characterized by complex song structures, extended instrumental passages, and influences from classical, jazz, and experimental music. Bands like Pink Floyd,... read more

If you mean Pink Floyd - yes. Great band and music, but it's pretty depressing at times, at least to me.

Dark Pop

AViVA, Lana Del Rey, and Billie Eilish. It's probably one of the most depressing pop subgenres, focusing on mental illnesses and isolation.

Space Rock

I love Starset, and their songs are about breakups and such. Dustin Bates, the lead singer, also has another band called Downplay. It's heavier and sadder.