Lo-Fi is one of the brightest alternative musical protests. It has confidently held its position since the middle of the last century. But what is it?

“Lo-fi” means “low-fidelity.” It is a term where music shows the recording’s imperfections and is proud of its “raw” sound. So, the key secret of this genre is simple. The lo-fi sound should remind of a garage studio and the vintage atmosphere of the 1970s’.

The time and place of origin of the term “Lo-Fi” are debatable. It entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 1976, with the definition above. Later, in 2003, the dictionary emphasized the main style of lo-fi music. It was rock music with minimal production.

Nowadays, the term “Lo-fi” has come to apply to any genre. The emphasis has switched from the specific music style to the way of recording. Yes, there are still dirty guitar lines, crackling pieces of vinyl, and tape jamming, which created the genre. But today, Lo-fi might include nature sounds, grass rustling, or even mix with ambient noises. You can even use modern Lo-fi tracks as background music while studying, chilling, or relaxing. So, do you prefer an old-school rock style or the new wave of Lo-fi? Anyway, to me, both options sound great!

Check out some excellent examples of Lo-fi music I’ve collected for you. As always, feel free to use it in your videos, and don’t forget to mention us on your social media.

Check out our other collections of music: Beautiful, Action, Romantic, and Synthwave music.

About the author: Lisa Zelenskaya, music producer at Fugue. Passionate about music and media. She explores new genres, styles, and musicians even in her spare time. She also loves teaching kids and presenting new artists to the audience.