The albums that define
noise music.
Our picks for where to start with noise music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top noise music artists
Start with one of these.
The noise music essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Merzbow
Batztoutai with Memorial Gadgets
A cacophonous exploration of texture, merging industrial noise with an avant-garde sensibility that challenges conventional listening.
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Merzbow
Venereology
A relentless exploration of harsh noise and chaotic textures that challenges the boundaries of sound itself.
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Thurston Moore
The Best Day
A meditative exploration of layered guitars and introspective lyrics that weave through moments of serenity and existential reflection.
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Thurston Moore
Demolished Thoughts
A delicate interplay of acoustic textures and introspective lyrics creates an atmospheric exploration of personal and existential themes.
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The Velvet Underground
Chronicles
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The Velvet Underground
VU
A collection of haunting melodies and intimate lyrics that encapsulate the Velvet Underground's experimental spirit and emotional depth.
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Otomo Yoshihide
Soup
A dense tapestry of free jazz and noise, where organic rhythms clash with chaotic soundscapes, creating a visceral auditory experience.
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Otomo Yoshihide
Episome
A sprawling exploration of sound where chaos meets structured improvisation, merging free jazz with avant-garde noise textures.
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Full of Hell
Trumpeting Ecstasy
A relentless barrage of harsh noise and grindcore that distorts reality into a cacophony of despair and aggression.
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Full of Hell
Weeping Choir
Weeping Choir encapsulates the essence of Full of Hell's style, offering a cohesive experience without overwhelming newcomers. Its balance between accessibility and intensity makes it the ideal starting point for exploration.
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Wolf Eyes
Human Animal
'Human Animal' presents a well-rounded view of Wolf Eyes’ artistry, showcasing their ability to create tension and atmosphere effectively. The blend of harsh sounds and thoughtful composition makes it an approachable entry point for newcomers.
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Wolf Eyes
No Answer: Lower Floors
An abrasive exploration of sonic textures, blurring the line between noise and melody in an unsettling yet captivating manner.
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Gnaw Their Tongues
The Genocidal Deliverance
This album serves as a quintessential entry point into Gnaw Their Tongues' world, showcasing the project’s unique approach to sound design and atmosphere. It highlights the artist's craftsmanship in layering intense sonics that evoke deep emotional responses.
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Gnaw Their Tongues
Dimlit Hate Cellar
A harrowing descent into chaotic soundscapes that blend dissonance and raw emotion with industrial textures.
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Muslimgauze
Hussein Mahmood Jeeb Tehar Gass
A dense tapestry of rhythms and textures, weaving together ambient soundscapes with political undertones and cultural references.
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Muslimgauze
Deceiver
Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with heavy beats, creating a dense atmosphere that reflects political strife and cultural identity.
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Dominick Fernow
Frozen Niagara Falls
A sprawling soundscape of harsh textures and melancholic melodies that pushes the boundaries of noise and ambient music.
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Dominick Fernow
Rainbow Mirror
A sprawling exploration of harsh textures and immersive soundscapes that challenges the boundaries of noise and ambient music.
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Masami Akita
Satanstornade
A relentless cacophony of harsh textures and chaotic rhythms that embodies the essence of noise music in its rawest form.
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Whitehouse
Great White Death
An abrasive whirlwind of harsh noise and guttural vocals, unflinchingly confronting themes of violence and sexuality.
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Whitehouse
Racket
A relentless barrage of harsh noise and chaotic soundscapes that challenge the boundaries of conventional music.
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Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Viscerals
A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and distorted chaos, punctuated by moments of melodic introspection and frenetic energy.
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Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
King of Cowards
A relentless fusion of heavy riffs and psychedelic chaos, pushing the boundaries of doom and noise with fervent intensity.
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Glenn Branca
Lesson No. 1
A relentless exploration of dissonance and texture, challenging conventional notions of melody through layered electric guitar compositions.
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By decade
Where noise music landed in each era.