What is lofi music?

Lo-fi music, short for "low fidelity," is a genre characterized by intentionally imperfect recordings. This imperfection can manifest in various ways, including:

• Audio Imperfections: These can include things like hiss, crackle, and distortion, intentionally added to give the music a warm, nostalgic, and relatable feel. See: Audio Imperfections
• Simple Arrangements: Lo-fi often features uncomplicated melodies, rhythms, and arrangements, making it easy to listen to and loop.
• Chill and Relaxed Mood: A primary goal of lo-fi music is to create a calming and mellow atmosphere, often used for studying, relaxing, or background music. See: Chill and Relaxed Mood
• Common Instruments: Common instruments include synthesizers, electric pianos, acoustic drums(often sampled), guitars, and sometimes vocals that are often heavily processed or used as textural elements.
• Sampling: The use of samples, especially from older jazz, soul, and funk records, is a hallmark of lo-fi hip-hop. See: Sampling
• Genre Fusions: While often associated with hip-hop, lo-fi can blend with other genres like jazz, electronic, and ambient music.

The genre gained significant popularity online through platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud, often accompanying animated visuals or looped animations. The accessibility and ease of production have made lo-fi a popular choice for independent artists and creators.