8 Musical Artists and Genres that Deliver Joyous Experiences

Credit: Style My Soul, www.stylemysoul.com | Musical Artists and Musical Genres

Music has a unique power to transform moods, strengthen connections, and bring unexpected joy into everyday life. This article draws on insights from music experts and cultural commentators to explore eight artists and genres that consistently deliver these benefits. From David Bowie’s office-friendly energy to the contemplative beauty of acoustic folk, these musical choices offer practical pathways to emotional richness and shared experience.

Spin Disco and Funk for Shared Joy
If I had to pick one, I’d say classic disco and funk. It’s hard to find another style of music that brings people together so quickly across different ages, because the groove is immediate and the joy feels shared instead of forced. I love it because it gives people permission to loosen up, have fun, and stop overthinking for a few minutes, which is a pretty special thing to watch from behind the decks. - Callum Gracie, Professional Event DJ, DJ Callum Gracie

Explore The Meters’ Jazz-Funk Groove
​I’ve spent my career helping performers find their voice through jazz and rock performance. My background in jazz guitar and fronting Santa Cruz bands has taught me that music is most powerful when it’s experienced as a collaborative, live conversation. I encourage everyone to dive into Jazz-Funk, specifically the work of The Meters, for its incredible ability to blend complex theory with an irresistible, human groove. This music brings joy because it prioritizes “living in the moment” and improvisation, which are the core principles I use to help my students overcome the pressure of perfection.
In our Real Jazz Funk Band program, I’ve seen students’ confidence soar after they take these grooves into professional environments like Santa Cruz Recording to track original songs. By moving from private practice to a high-energy band setting, musicians experience a deeper sense of community and a much faster path to discovering their own unique artistic identity.
- Matt Pinck, Owner, Be Natural Music

Let Nusrat Stir Deep Emotional Clarity
​If I had to share one artist people should experience, it would be Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — his music is something you don’t just hear, you feel. What draws me in is how his voice builds emotion layer by layer, almost like designing an event where every detail intensifies the experience. I remember playing his qawwali during a late-night setup before a big wedding install, and the entire team shifted from stressed to completely in sync within minutes. There’s a raw, spiritual energy in his music that cuts through noise and brings clarity, which I find incredibly grounding. It reminds me that great experiences — whether music or events — are about emotional connection, not perfection. If you give it your full attention, it stays with you long after it ends.
- Nezhdeh Parsanj, Owner, Opus Event Rentals

Savor Acoustic Folk Outdoors among Friends
​I’d love for everyone to experience acoustic folk and country music, especially enjoyed outdoors. There’s something about sitting outside at a dog park on a warm Texas evening with gentle guitar strumming in the background while dogs play freely around you. We sometimes host small community gatherings where local musicians play acoustic sets, and the effect on both people and their dogs is remarkable. The dogs seem calmer, the owners are more relaxed, and conversations flow naturally. Artists like Willie Nelson and John Prine capture that easygoing, soulful energy perfectly. Music like that strips everything back to what matters: connection, nature, and simple joy. It’s the same reason people come to dog parks in the first place. They want to unplug, feel grounded, and share a moment of happiness with their best friend. That’s what good music and good dogs have in common: they both make the world feel a little lighter.
- Rina Gutierrez, Part-time Marketing Coordinator, Doggie Park Near Me

Play Bowie to Spark Office Camaraderie
I would like others to experience David Bowie, especially the Best of David Bowie collection. When I started my company in 2009 we would work late nights and jam out to that album with the whole team. It was the one album everyone in the office agreed on, from 20 year olds to 60 year olds. His music always puts everyone in a good mood and now hearing Bowie brings me back to those long nights and the camaraderie we shared. - Evan McCarthy, President and CEO, SportingSmiles

Experience A.R. Rahman’s Expansive Immersive Fusion
One artist I always encourage people to experience is A.R. Rahman, especially his fusion of Indian classical music with modern orchestration. What makes his music so powerful is the emotional range. It can feel deeply spiritual in one moment and incredibly uplifting in the next. There’s a richness in the layering, traditional instruments, vocals, and contemporary production, that creates something immersive rather than just something you listen to in the background.
For me, his music brings joy because it feels expansive. It doesn’t just entertain, it shifts your mood and creates a sense of calm and inspiration at the same time. If someone is new to his work, I’d suggest starting with a few of his film soundtracks, where storytelling and music come together beautifully. The biggest takeaway is that great music doesn’t need translation. Even if you don’t understand the language, you feel it, and that’s what makes it universal. - Monesh Sahu, Finance Analyst, RadCred

Find Quiet Solace with Lana Del Rey
I always go back to Lana Del Rey. Her music feels very close to my heart. I usually listen to her songs at night or when I want some quiet time. There’s something calm and soft about her voice, but at the same time, her words feel deep and real. I remember a time when I was feeling a bit lost, and her music just became my comfort. It didn’t change anything around me, but it helped me feel understood. Like I wasn’t the only one feeling that way.
What I like most is that her songs don’t try to cheer you up in a loud way. They just sit with you, and somehow that feels enough. For me, her music is like a small escape where I can just slow down and be myself.
- Cynthia Lee, Lead Clinical Research Coordinator (LCRC), AAA Biotech

Choose Gospel to Restore Perspective
​I would like others to experience gospel music. As a Black cultural strategist whose work centers on moving and uplifting people, gospel’s blend of honesty and communal energy feels essential to me. Its storytelling and collective voice remind me why culture is the most powerful way to connect people. Listening to gospel brings me joy because it restores perspective, fuels resilience, and continues to inspire both my work and life.
​- Victoria Anderson, SVP, Cultural Strategy & Communications, 160over90, a WME Group Co.