Slowcore means: A subgenre of indie rock characterized by extremely slow tempos, sparse arrangements, and emotionally heavy lyrics. Key bands: Low, Codeine, Red House Painters, Duster.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
slowcore
A subgenre of indie rock characterized by extremely slow tempos, sparse arrangements, and emotionally heavy lyrics.
ˈsloʊ.kɔːrDocumented since 1990s1990sMillennialhistoricalCurrent170 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~1990 · 1 year of recorded useMillennial / early-internet eraSee decade cohort →
Seen in the wild
Definitions
Global
#1·Apr 26, 2026Global
A subgenre of indie rock characterized by extremely slow tempos, sparse arrangements, and emotionally heavy lyrics. Key bands: Low, Codeine, Red House Painters, Duster.
"That whole album is pure slowcore — patience required."
Origin: Coined in the 1990s to describe the deliberate slowness of bands like Codeine and Low.
For parents
Slowcore means: A subgenre of indie rock characterized by extremely slow tempos, sparse arrangements, and emotionally heavy lyrics. Key bands: Low, Codeine, Red House Painters, Duster.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
slowcore means: A subgenre of indie rock characterized by extremely slow tempos, sparse arrangements, and emotionally heavy lyrics. Key bands: Low, Codeine, Red House Painters, Duster.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Heard in the wild
Was this helpful?
Comments
Show 1 more dictionary-style sense (imported)
Global
#2·May 2, 2026Global
A subgenre of indie and alternative rock music, characterized by downbeat melodies, slower tempos and minimalist arrangements.
Source: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Was this helpful?
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Used in
Global
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "slowcore".
🎵About Music & Lyrics slang
How fans, critics, and pop stars talk in 2024–2026 — from Swifties and the BeyHive to brat, Chappell-coded, sad-girl indie, and amapiano.
See all Music & Lyrics slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "slowcore" (S)
slottenslotterySloumysloungeSloven-Woodslowcoachslow datingslowed + reverbslow fadeslow livingslow morningsslowpoke
Browse all slang words starting with S.
Related terms
People also read
Semantically related
- math rock64%
A subgenre characterized by complex, irregular time signatures, intricate guitar work, and intellectual song structures. Key bands: Don Caballero, Battles, American Football.
- post-punk63%
A subgenre that emerged from punk rock in the late 1970s, characterized by experimentation, angular guitars, and heavier influence from art-rock and electronics. Key bands: Joy Division, Wire, The Fall, Talking Heads.
- dream pop62%
A subgenre of alternative pop characterized by ethereal vocals, atmospheric production, and dreamlike textures. Cousin to shoegaze. Key artists: Cocteau Twins, Beach House, Mazzy Star.
- cloud rap59%
A subgenre characterized by atmospheric, hazy production, dreamlike beats, and often whisper-rap delivery. Lil B (the originator), A$AP Rocky early work, Yung Lean.