Impressionism

Impressionism in music emerged in late 19th century France, primarily as a fresh reaction to the overly dramatic romanticism that was all the rage - think of it as the musical equivalent of swapping a ball gown for a neat pair of trousers. Characterised by a focus on atmosphere, subtle tonal changes, and a fondness for non-traditional scales, it often sounds like the composer has just woken up from a lovely dream and wants to share the hazy vibes with everyone. It's the genre that taught us that sometimes, the mood is more important than the melody, and if all else fails, a bit of vague mystique can smooth over a multitude of musical sins.