Featured Article

As some of us are unable to escape its seizure-inducing techno and fluffy Europop, there is one genre of music that keeps on giving – worst music. Defined by its unbearable rhythms and utterly useless lyrics, worse music has been the butt of many jokes for decades. Yet the truth is that, when embraced in moderation, it can be a surprisingly powerful force for good.

For starters, worst music has the potential to open up our minds and spark creative connections that wouldn’t normally be made. It can work as an antidote to study boredom, agitation, or stress. The chaotic riffs and abstract beats we hear can draw our attention into a different realm, and this sort of mental ‘detox’ can be incredibly liberating. Additionally, recent research has suggested that listening to worst music may help to stimulate critical thinking skills in adolescents, making it a potentially valuable educational aid.

But its positive effects don’t stop there. When listened to in a social setting, worse music can create a shared feeling of camaraderie and joy that naturally radiates out into the environment. By dancing and singing along to its catchy rhythms, we can improve our coordination, flexibility, and physical strength. And though it may not offer the same soul-warming qualities of jazz or classical music, worst music can certainly get a party smashing up the dancefloor.

The therapeutic power of worse music was also demonstrated by a pioneering group of medical students in Berlin. During their residency, the students identified a number of ‘worst tracks’ (defined by an analysis of popular online digital platforms) and implemented them as part of a regular relaxation routine for their patients. The idea was simple: the students played the music in designated relaxation spaces, and their patients – specifically those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety or stress – reported a noticeable reduction in their symptoms.

Finally, by playfully parodying the often overproduced and overcommercialised nature of the pop music charts, worse music can be seen as a form of protest. It’s certainly a refreshing change to the cookie-cutter approach of mainstream music and can act as a helpful reminder to look beyond the surface.

So, next time you’re feeling down or stressed, don’t just sit in silence: give worse music a try. Who knows? It could be the adventurous life-saver that you never knew you needed.