Krushclub (stylized as KRUSHCLUB!) is an underground microgenre that emerged in the early 2020s.
This brand new genre blends elements of classic EDM, House, and Jersey Club. And like many other microgenres, its popularity soared thanks to TikTok.
In this guide, we are going to explore:
- what Krushclub is;
- what sets it apart from other genres;
- and if Krushclub is here to stay, or just a fad 🤔
Let’s explore 👇
What is Krushclub?
Before going any further, it’s important to note that Krushclub is just one denomination of this microgenre.
Just like people might refer to the same track as Melodic House or Progressive House, Krushclub can also be refered to as Sigilkore. For the purpose of this article, we’ll consider both genres as the same thing (don’t get mad at me please).
At its core, Krushclub is characterized:
- energetic and upbeat rhythms;
- a crazy amount of distortion (mainly bitcrushing, more on that later);
- songs that speed up and slow down and pitch shift at the same time;
- lo-bit vocals and sounds reminiscent of old video games;
- short song duration (around 2min at most)
The song WHAT YOU WANT! by asteria showcases a lot of these elements:
Another immensely popular track, SMOKE IT OFF by Lumi Athena and jnhygs is another great example of Krushclub (and it also has a casual 250M streams on Spotify alone 🤯):
These two tracks should already give you a good idea of what Krushclub sounds like:
- the production style is “rough around the edges”, often disregarding conventional wisdom around compression and limiting;
- tracks are to the point and focus on immediate impact. They often lack a classic verse-chorus structure;
- autotune, bitcrushing, and other forms of distortion contribute to a distinctive “Hexxed” sound.
Origins of Krushclub
Krushclub is an Internet-first music genre, with many of its leading artists being in their early 20s. It combines multiple other genres, including:
- Hyperpop: popularized by artists like Charli XCX, Hyperpop is known for high-pitched and autotuned vocals, a lack of conventional song structure, and glitchy production.
- HexD: short for “Hexadecimal Distortion” is another internet-born music genre focused on extreme audio manipulation and distortion. Bitcrushing in particular gives an old, retro feel to the music:
TikTok and the Rise of Krushclub
Similarly to liminal music, TikTok has been key in the rise of Krushclub as its own genre.
Thanks to user-generated content (UGC), where creators repurpose snippets of songs for dances and memes, tracks and trends can now spread quicker than ever before.
With TikTok, music serves as the backbone of viral content. And Krushclub tracks, with their energetic beats and distorted hooks, are perfectly suited for short, impactful videos.
When users incorporate these tracks into their content, it amplifies the song’s reach exponentially, pushing it into the feeds of millions.
Tracks like Odetari’s “NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER” and Lumi Athena’s “ICEWHORE!” have featured in millions of TikTok videos. This cycle of reuse and remixing helps set these tracks as “the cool track to use” of the moment, which in turn leads to huge spikes on streaming platforms.
Influence on song structure and length
TikTok’s format has also influenced how Krushclub tracks are produced.
Since TikTok videos typically last between 15 to 60 seconds, many Krushclub artists design their songs to feature punchy, memorable moments that fit within these timeframes.
This means that tracks barely reach the 2min mark, and often lack intros or breakdowns. The hook or drop hits in the first few seconds and songs are designed to loop seamlessly, making them ideal for TikTok’s repetitive trends and challenges.
It’s important to note that this trend is not specific to Krushclub. In 2018, a study found that the average length of songs in the Billboard Hot 100 dropped, from 4m10 in 2000 all the way to 3m30 in 2018. And in 2021, the average song length dropped even further to 3m7.
Whether it is to boost streaming numbers (shorter songs = more streams = more revenue) or to conform to our shorter attention spans, this trend is likely only going to increase.
Artists You Need to Check Out
Several artists have been pivotal in shaping and popularizing the Krushclub sound:
- Lumi Athena: Often considered a pioneer of the genre, known for tracks like “SMOKE IT OFF!” and “ICEWHORE!”.
- Odetari: Gained attention with songs such as “NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER”. He is currently one of the most popular Krushclub artists (although he prefers the term “Odecore”) with close to 11M monthly listeners on Spotify.
- cade clair: Collaborated on tracks like “LOOK DON’T TOUCH” and “PARTY!”.
- 7sirens: Known for the track “GO!”.
- removeface: Recognized for the song “ON THE FLOOR”.
Krushclub: Fad or Here to Stay?
There are signs that Krushclub might be going mainstream. Billboard even wrote a full article arguing that Krushclub might be the future of music…
However, with Krushclub’s meteoric rise tied closely to TikTok, one can wonder if it will stand the test of time. Or will it fade like many internet-driven trends?
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to spotlight new sounds and trends, propelling obscure tracks to overnight fame.
This means that while the rapid exposure is beneficial for Krushclub, it’s also a risk. What happens when the novelty wears off, and people move on to something else? What happens when the TikTok algorithm stops pushing this kind of content?
TikTok thrives on trend cycles, with users often jumping from one viral sound to the next. This behavior can dilute the genre’s core following, as many listeners are drawn more by the platform’s trending culture than by a genuine connection to the music. Who remembers when the Brostep sound of the early 2000s was everywhere?
However, there’s evidence that Krushclub is cultivating a dedicated community beyond TikTok. Platforms like SoundCloud and Reddit are home to enthusiasts who engage deeply with the genre. However, to maintain relevance, the genre will likely need to evolve and adapt to the new listening habits of the future.
We hope you found this article useful! If you’re looking to start making your own Krushclub tunes (or any other electronic music genre), check out our free masterclass right here 👇
