WHATISLOFI

What Is Lofi?

Bryan Donbavand

About This Site

Lofi music is hard to define, but easy to feel. For some, it’s dusty jazz samples looped over boom bap beats. For others, it’s ambient textures washing over soft chord progressions. It’s the soundtrack to late night focus, long train journeys, sketchbook sessions, or simply switching off. Whatever your reason for pressing play, whatIsLofi.com is here to unpack the genre, the culture, and the community behind it.

This site was built to offer a clear, honest, and independent look at the ever growing world of lofi music. Just useful, real world content for people who love the sound.

Why This Site Exists

Lofi has exploded in the last decade. What began as a niche sound on internet radio stations and underground YouTube channels is now a streaming staple with millions of daily listeners. But the surge in popularity has also brought saturation. A wave of copycat tracks, playlist manipulation, and AI-generated releases have made it harder to find the good stuff.

That’s why this site exists.

whatIsLofi.com is for anyone who’s ever wondered:

  • Who are the real artists worth following?
  • Which playlists are actually curated (not botted)?
  • What gear do serious producers use?
  • How do I submit my own music for playlists or reviews?
  • Where can I find proper production advice for this genre?
  • What makes a subgenre like “chillhop” or “sleep lofi” different?
  • Is there more to this sound than background music?

The goal is to answer these questions and more. If you’re a lofi fan, a casual listener, a playlist curator, or an artist yourself, this site is for you.

What You’ll Find Here

This isn’t just another blog regurgitating Spotify’s trending charts. This is a living, breathing archive of the best in lofi: past, present, and future.

Here’s what we cover:

New Releases

Each week, we hand-pick new drops across the lofi spectrum. We don’t chase trends or clicks—we focus on quality. From jazzy piano loops to ambient beat tapes, you’ll find proper write-ups on tracks that deserve a listen.

Expect:

  • Release reviews with links to Spotify, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud.
  • Short takes for casual readers and deeper analysis for producers.
  • Artist commentary and behind-the-scenes notes when available.

Artist Spotlights

There’s more to lofi than anonymous aliases and pixel-art thumbnails. We highlight the artists pushing the genre forward—producers with a unique voice, visual style, or approach to sound.

We look at:

  • Their background and evolution.
  • Their standout tracks or releases.
  • Their setup, collaborators, and label affiliations.

We also include direct links to stream their music or follow them on socials—no guesswork.

Top Playlists (and Honest Reviews)

Let’s be honest: playlists are the lifeblood of modern lofi. But not all playlists are created equal. Some are genuinely curated by people who care about the music. Others are botted, pay-to-play, or totally static.

On this site, we:

  • Review the best lofi playlists across Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.
  • Share real data where possible, follower count, update frequency, listener engagement.
  • Link to submission forms (if they exist).
  • Explain how artists can approach playlist curators the right way.

If you’re looking to discover better playlists, or get your own music placed, this section is for you.

Production Tools & Gear Reviews

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned beatmaker, gear and software matter. We break down the tools behind the sound: DAWs, samplers, plugins, MIDI controllers, headphones, cassette decks, and more.

We write:

  • Clear, honest reviews (no affiliate waffle or tech-speak for the sake of it).
  • Buyer guides tailored for lofi production.
  • Side-by-side comparisons (e.g. RC-20 vs Super VHS).
  • Deep dives into artist setups (when available).

We’ll also highlight free tools, sample packs, and creative workflows for those working on a budget.

Production Advice

From swing settings to sidechain compression, we dive into the practical aspects of lofi production. This is not bedroom beatmaking as a hobby, it’s treated with the same seriousness as any genre.

You’ll find:

  • Guides on drums, textures, vinyl noise, saturation, and groove.
  • Tips for arranging lofi tracks to stand out.
  • Strategies for mixing and mastering in a genre that often breaks the rules.
  • Workflow optimisation for consistent output.

We also feature interviews and guest tips from working producers.

Subgenre Spotlights

Lofi isn’t one thing. Over the years, it’s evolved into a patchwork of subgenres, each with its own vibe and fanbase. We explore the different threads.

We’ll cover styles like:

  • Lofi hip-hop – classic boom bap with mellow loops.
  • Chillhop – more groove-heavy, jazz-forward beats.
  • Ambient lofi – cinematic textures with minimal drums.
  • Sleep lofi – slow, soft, and deeply atmospheric.
  • Study beats – melodic loops optimised for focus.
  • Japanese lofi – a unique subculture of beatmakers and listeners.

Each spotlight includes genre defining artists, track examples, and links to explore.

Who This Site Is For

We built whatIsLofi.com for:

Listeners

Casual fans who want better playlists, deeper artist discovery, or just somewhere to hang out online beyond Reddit and YouTube comments.

Artists & Producers

Those looking to grow their reach, find inspiration, submit to playlists, or refine their sound without selling out.

Curators & Label Owners

People who want to find new artists, tools, and ideas to elevate their projects or rosters.

Writers & Reviewers

Music journalists, bloggers, or YouTube creators looking for accurate, researched info on the genre.

Playlist Submissions

We will run our own curated playlists on Spotify, which will be clearly linked on this site. Submission is open.

  • We do listen to every submission.
  • We don’t tolerate spam.

All we ask is that you only submit music that fits the playlist brief. Each playlist will have a clear description, tempo/genre range, and examples to reference.

We’ll also publish regular feedback sessions on submitted tracks—not to judge, but to offer value back. Whether you’re picked or not, you’ll leave with something useful.

Our Approach

We don’t pretend to be tastemakers. We’re not trying to be arbiters of what’s “real” and what isn’t. We simply care about the music, the people who make it, and the listeners who support it.

That means:

  • No hype. No press release copy-paste.
  • No soulless AI-generated recommendations.
  • No fake rankings or algorithm-chasing.

Just genuine insight, discovery, and passion for the genre.

Behind the Scenes

This site is built and run by a small team of lofi fans, producers, and writers who’ve been in and around this scene since the SoundCloud golden days. We’ve seen the rise of 24/7 radio streams, the boom in vinyl releases, and the current wave of ambient-focused projects.

Some of us release music ourselves. Some just listen and dig. All of us believe the genre still has room to grow, without losing its soul.

What’s Next?

We’re just getting started. Over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out:

  • A regular newsletter (with no spam).
  • Curated artist and label directories.
  • A community board for collaboration and conversation.
  • Exclusive sample packs and free tools for producers.
  • Live playlist updates and featured artist rotations.

We’re also open to collaboration. If you run a label, curate a playlist, or want to feature on the site, get in touch.

Final Word

Lofi might have started in the background. But for many of us, it’s become the main soundtrack to our days. It’s not defined by radio spins or chart placements, it lives in the quiet hours, the deep focus, the late night headphones.

WhatIsLofi.com is here to document that journey. To keep it real. To cut through the noise. And to make sure the artists, curators, and listeners who built this sound get the spotlight they deserve.

Thanks for reading. Press play and stay a while.

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