Remember to check what links here and the page history before deletion.
Reason: This page should be moved to Person-Created Aesthetics. While "Glitchbreak" presents a unique visual aesthetic (though frequently mistaken for "breakcore"), its style is overwhelmingly inspired by and intrinsically linked to the artist Sewerslvt. Due to this singular, defining influence, and the associated controversial content documented on the page, "Glitchbreak" is best classified as a person-created aesthetic rather than a general, independently emergent style. Its current incomplete sections are due to ongoing wiki work.
Priority: Medium.
Reason for Warning: The "Controversy" section addresses the genre's connection to the artist Sewerslvt (Jvne). Please be advised that Sewerslvt has a history of controversial and potentially disturbing content and behavior, which is relevant to the context of this genre's emergence. This includes references to and depictions of suicide, implied suicide threats and potential emotional manipulation, sexualization of minors, disrespectful references to the tragic case of Junko Furuta, and the use of racial slurs in past projects. Reader discretion is advised.
Glitchbreak, also known as Sewercore,[Note 1] is a loosely defined music microgenre that emerged in the late 2010s and rose to prominence on TikTok in the 2020s. Spotify's algorithm coined the term to differentiate it from the established genre of breakcore. Influences include Sewerslvt's music, anime, glitchcore (notably contrasting in darker tones), Y2K aesthetics, and Serial Experiments Lain.
Sewerslvt's atmospheric drum and bass has been frequently miscategorized as breakcore, leading to criticism. Glitchbreak compositions often feature a breakbeat or, less commonly, a drum and bass beat, frequently incorporating elements from various genres. The need for this distinct categorization and its related online communities stemmed from the difficulty in classifying music that did not align with traditional breakcore.
A key motivation for its separation was to reduce conflict on the r/breakcore subreddit, where discussions frequently arose regarding the mislabeling of anime-influenced music as breakcore, with some users arguing it was more accurately described as "ambient-atmospheric-liquid-jungle-mashcore drum and bass." The preference for distinguishing this newer sound was also driven by some members of the breakcore community who disliked the anime-associated style.[1]
Visuals[]
Under Construction
Music[]
Under Construction
Controversy[]
Artist Behavior[]
A significant controversy surrounds the artist Sewerslvt (also known as Jvnko or Jvne, formerly Sadboy Sheldon), whose musical style heavily influenced the emergence of Glitchbreak. This controversy stems from multiple instances of problematic behavior and content associated with the Australian producer, who later identified as a transgender woman named Jvne.
Under the initial alias Sadboy Sheldon, active in early 2017, the artist, within a collective called "Ponks Bakery," gained a following for Death Grips mashups. However, this period also included the use of a racial slur in two album titles. Additionally, there were instances of content that appeared to depict or reference lolicon themes.
Transitioning to the name Sewerslvt in late 2017 with the album "Don't Be Afraid of Dying," Jvne's new moniker and nickname "Jvnko" were direct references to Junko Furuta, a Japanese woman who was the victim of a heinous crime. This album gained notoriety due to its introduction featuring a sample of a real phone call made by a girl after finding her brother's body following a suicide. Subsequent album artwork also generated controversy. The EP "Child Sacrifice" (November 2018) featured a gruesome cover depicting sexual abuse. Other artwork, such as an image associated with "Starving Slvts Always Get Their Fix" (November 2018), raised concerns about the age of individuals depicted, and the cover for "Cyberia Lyr 1" featured sexually suggestive imagery involving an underage anime character.[2]
The artist's music, characterized by amateurish instrumental laptop hip-hop in early releases and later evolving into a more professional, albeit still home-produced, style encompassing abrasive industrial music, chopped-up vocals, drum and bass, and sample-based electronic dance music, often incorporated disturbing elements. Tracks like "Catharsis" from the "Sewer//Slvt" double EP (August 2018) ended with audio from the last video of a Bjork stalker before his suicide. "Drowning in the Sewer" (June 2019) sampled audio from a video about a real suicide ("Suicide in Fragments") and the audio of a live-streamed suicide ("Nothingness").
In 2020, coinciding with increased popularity following the album "Draining Love Story" (January 2020), Sewerslvt posted an image macro featuring Jeffrey Epstein covering a depiction of a sexual act involving a minor. This led to a backlash and a temporary decrease in their fanbase. Following this, the artist announced considering suicide in a post accompanied by a video of a train, which was later used in the "Mr. Kill Myself" music video. Subsequently, older controversial material, including the past use of racial slurs, resurfaced, leading to further criticism and online backlash.
Sewerslvt addressed the criticisms by stating they were acting as an "edgy 4channer" at the time and later claimed to be a psychopath in relation to the controversy. In response to direct inquiries, Sewerslvt's communication indicated a disregard for the criticisms and blamed the community.
Jvne gained a following within the transgender community online but increasingly faced criticism for an "obsession with depravity and death" and for music described by some as fundamentally an "art of sampling and looping."
As a result of these controversies, the artist stopped releasing music in 2021 after experiencing online harassment. This history of problematic content and behavior has directly influenced the Glitchbreak scene. Some artists and listeners who enjoyed the musical and aesthetic elements associated with Sewerslvt sought out or created music with similar characteristics while distancing themselves from the artist's controversial actions and persona. This desire to engage with the musical style without supporting the problematic aspects of its originator contributed to the emergence and growth of other artists within the Glitchbreak microgenre.
Distinction from Breakcore[]
Another significant point of contention surrounding Glitchbreak involves its frequent mischaracterization as "breakcore." While glitchbreak often incorporates breakbeats, a defining element of breakcore and jungle music, significant stylistic differences exist that have led to debate within the electronic music community.
Breakcore originated in the late 1990s as a countercultural movement emerging from genres like jungle, gabber, and hardcore techno. It is characterized by erratic, heavily chopped samples and aggressive, often chaotic rhythms, with a generally irreverent or non-serious ethos. Prominent historical and contemporary breakcore artists include Venetian Snares, Ruby My Dear, Squarepusher, Atari Teenage Riot, Alec Empire, and Igorrr, each exhibiting unique styles within the genre.
The musical style associated with Sewerslvt and the subsequent glitchbreak trend, while sometimes utilizing breakbeats or drum and bass rhythms, often features a different sonic palette. It is frequently described as more akin to atmospheric drum and bass or a new form of jungle, often incorporating mellow, ambient textures. Tempos in glitchbreak tracks often remain below 200 bpm, and the drum variation can be less intricate compared to traditional breakcore.
The breakcore community has often expressed frustration with the "Sewerslvt style" being labeled as breakcore. This mislabelling is perceived as diluting the understanding of the established genre and attracting listeners unfamiliar with its history and typical sound. While some within the breakcore scene acknowledge a degree of elitism in this viewpoint, the core issue remains the fundamental difference in musical characteristics, and often, reducing the genre to a superficial aesthetic.
Attempts to categorize this newer sound have included the term "lolicore," which has been around since the 2000s, though this label has been rejected by its own listener base due to its problematic connotations. The term "glitchbreak" itself emerged partly to distinguish this newer style from traditional breakcore and jungle.
Some sources suggest that glitchbreak can be seen as a "2020s revival of breakcore," characterized by a nostalgic, atmospheric, and sentimental sound, evolving from the digital hardcore scene of the 2010s. This revival is often associated with an aesthetic drawing from video games, anime, and internet culture, with artists like Machine Girl and Goreshit cited as influential to its sound and visual style.[3] However, even within this context, the distinction from earlier forms of breakcore remains a subject of discussion.
Resources[]
- r/Glitchbreak (Reddit)
- Depressive Breakcore/Dreambreak/Glitchbreak Artists (Rate Your Music)
- Glitchbreak (Every Noise at Once)
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Other names include "Dreambreak," "Chill Breakcore," "Depressive Breakcore," "Breakcore Revival," or "Laincore," partly due to the difficulty of separating it from other genres.
References[]
- ↑ "Glitchbreak Q&A" on reddit.com
- ↑ "Sewerslvt" on scaruffi.com
- ↑ "Demystifying the Internet’s Breakcore Revival" on daily.bandcamp.com