What is Vapor Soul?

by Eason

Yeah, no. I had no idea what Vapor Soul was when my friend mentioned it to me…but let me tell you, it’s been one of my favorite genres since freshman year of college, and I had no clue it had a name.

*Also, I’m assuming the reason I’m being asked this is because someone learned Vapor Soul is the “genre” they listen to the most – according to our beloved Spotify Wrapped.

~Vapor Soul~

So what is it exactly? Urban Dictionary associates Vapor Soul with the likes of EDM, Indie Pop and Lofi (which I discuss previously, here). Another site (see playlist description) mentions Vapor Soul with similar sub-genres adding in electropop, chillwave and indie poptimism (did my sister play that game?). Though related in many ways, that’s still a very broad range when it comes to genre; however, these days, it seems like the only way to describe your taste in music is to either:

  1. Recite a variety of genres incorporated most commonly amongst those you listen to.
  2. State the artists you listen to the most at the time.
  3. Combine 1 or 2 with a very sense-y kind of word i.e. misty, shadow, stank.
  4. Combine 1, 2 and 3 or come up with your own Mountain Dew flavor (no, not these ones). Sweet Lightning, Mountain Fever, Poolside Soda Pop, Prince Punk, Giggle Grunge…you get the idea. Let me know if you have any good ones in the comments.

*Gosh, is it just me, or was it easier to describe your taste in music 10 years ago? Might be an age thing, but even so, it’s still weird.

Anyways, back to Vapor Soul. What do all of these genres/sub-genres/styles or whatever you want call them have in common? And why does that result in “vapor soul”? Well let’s break down the words and blend in a little Eason brain ’til we get some happy little conclusions.

va·por
/ˈvāpər/
noun
  1. a substance diffused or suspended in the air, especially one normally liquid or solid.
    “dense clouds of smoke and toxic vapor”
verb
  1. talk in a vacuous, boasting, or pompous way.
    “he was vaporing on about the days of his youth”

Ok, first I’m adding vapor as a verb to my vocab immediately. Second, did you listen to that vapor soul playlist I linked above? Are you even clicking the links (please do bc they’re important, especially if your brain likes getting sidetracked like mine)? You’ll notice a few commonalities:

  1. At least one instrument or the main vocal has a lot of reverb effecting it.
  2. At least one instrument or sound can be associated with ~water~. Think steel drums, water droplets, misty-sounding pads, leads or samples.
  3. There’s a fairly mellow atmosphere lying underneath more prominent leads. In other words, you could imagine yourself listening to this song being played next to an underground cave pool or cool, damp tunnel. Another way to picture this is as if you’re imagining the music video.
soul
/sōl/
noun
  1. the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
    • a person’s moral or emotional nature or sense of identity.
      “in the depths of her soul, she knew he would betray her”
  2. emotional or intellectual energy or intensity, especially as revealed in a work of art or an artistic performance.
    “their interpretation lacked soul”
  3. the essence or embodiment of a specified quality.
    “he was the soul of discretion”

I think it’s worth pointing out some words the dictionary tags as “similar” to definition 2, the definition we’re working with here.

  • passion
  • intensity
  • enthusiasm
  • warmth
  • energy
I sense this fervor in a lot of the percussion, which in a good amount of the songs is upbeat; however, there are times where a softer vitality comes through, leading to a warmer production. The lyrics tend to be sad-boppy, introspective or portray the lower sides of love. Lol Eason wtf does that mean. Ahem, figure it out or talk to me:)
So what does 1 + 1 = in this context? A window you say? Not quite.
From what I can tell, vapor + soul = mellow-sounding/ear-pleasing music featuring fluid sounds, life-giving production and lyrics based in an uncertain or somewhat sad state of mind. Andd that’s the game. That’s ~vapor soul~.

I wish I had some videos or posts to help me explain this genre or at least give other interpretations of the genre. But for now we rely on playlists to show us by example. Let me know if you agree or disagree or if you have anything to add/suggest in the comments. I’d love to hear from y’all:) Thanks for looking at my words, as always.

✌️‘n Carrots,

eace

Ps, there may be articles or examples of vapor soul music out there, but I didn’t want to dig through all of the vape websites to find them lol.