The albums that define
experimental music.
Our picks for where to start with experimental music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top experimental music artists
Start with one of these.
The experimental music essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Ryuichi Sakamoto
1996
A lush tapestry of electronic textures and orchestral arrangements that evoke deep emotional landscapes.
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John Lennon
Live Peace in Toronto 1969
Raw energy and poignant messages collide in a historic live performance that captures the spirit of peace and rebellion.
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Aphex Twin
Syro
A kaleidoscopic blend of intricate rhythms and haunting melodies that redefine electronic music's boundaries.
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Frank Zappa
Hot Rats
A vibrant fusion of jazz, rock, and experimental sounds that showcases Zappa's eclectic genius.
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Aphex Twin
...I Care Because You Do
A chaotic blend of intricate rhythms and haunting melodies that redefine electronic music's boundaries.
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Frank Zappa
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
A whimsical tapestry of avant-garde jazz and rock, stitched together with surreal humor and complex arrangements.
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Aphex Twin
Selected Ambient Works 85–92
Ethereal soundscapes blend with intricate rhythms, creating a dreamlike yet immersive auditory experience.
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Frank Zappa
Lumpy Gravy
An avant-garde tapestry of orchestral textures interwoven with surreal spoken word and absurdist soundscapes.
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Aphex Twin
Drukqs
A sprawling mosaic of intricate beats and melancholic piano melodies that defy genre boundaries.
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Arca
KicK iii
An adventurous blend of experimental soundscapes and visceral emotions, weaving together influence from neoperreo and avant-garde pop.
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Tom Waits
Used Songs 1973–1980
A haunting blend of smoky jazz, bluesy grit, and experimental storytelling that encapsulates urban melancholy.
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Tom Waits
Mule Variations
A gritty mosaic of raw storytelling, jazz-inflected blues, and haunting melodies that evoke deep emotional landscapes.
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Tom Waits
Blood Money
A haunting blend of jazz, blues, and theatrical storytelling that explores the darker sides of human experience.
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Tom Waits
Alice
A haunting blend of spoken word and atmospheric melodies that conjures lost love and surreal imagery.
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Tom Waits
Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards
A sprawling collection of raw storytelling, blending blues, jazz, and experimental sounds into a vivid sonic tapestry.
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Arca
KICK ii
A vibrant tapestry of experimental beats and bold vocals that challenge genre boundaries.
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Tom Waits
Glitter and Doom Live
A raw and intimate tapestry of storytelling woven through bluesy melodies and theatrical performances.
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Tom Waits
Swordfishtrombones
A haunting blend of industrial clatter, jazz-inflected melodies, and storytelling that defies genre boundaries.
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Arca
kick iiii
A pulsating blend of experimental beats and intimate reflections on identity and desire.
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Arca
kiCK iiiii
A visceral blend of experimental beats and haunting melodies that challenge traditional pop structures.
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Tom Waits
Bad as Me
A gritty fusion of blues, jazz, and rock that captures the raw essence of life's complexities.
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Arca
KiCk i
A bold fusion of experimental beats and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of identity and transformation.
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Tom Waits
Rain Dogs
A gritty tapestry of jazz, blues, and experimental sounds woven with poetic storytelling and raw emotion.
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Capsule
Player
A vibrant mix of electro-infused pop and dance rhythms that captures the essence of early 2010s Japanese club culture.
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