This week on Beginner’s Guide, host Errol Hayden explores the angular riffs, jarring rhythms, and mind-bending time signatures of Math Rock — a genre that throws the rulebook out the window. From the prog experimentation of King Crimson to the intricate emo stylings of American Football and the genre-bending chaos of The Fall of Troy, this episode is a crash course in one of rock’s most fascinating subgenres.

We start by explaining the basics of time signatures and how most pop music plays it safe in familiar 4/4 rhythms. Then, we dig into artists who broke the mould — like The Beatles, Dionne Warwick, and Pink Floyd — before diving headfirst into true math rock territory with bands like Slint, Black Flag, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.

🎸 What you'll learn in this episode:
🧠 What time signatures are, and why math rock plays with them
🥁 How artists like Ringo Starr and Bill Bruford tackled complex rhythms
🎶 Why math rock remains a cult favourite despite its heady structure

Whether you're a musician, a music theory nerd, or just curious about rock's weirdest corner, this episode is for you.

Featuring tracks by: Battles, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Slint, Black Flag, American Football, The Fall of Troy, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard & more.

Follow @beginnersguideshow on Instagram for updates and episode requests.

This week on Beginner&rsquo;s Guide, host Errol Hayden explores the angular riffs, jarring rhythms, and mind-bending time signatures of Math Rock &mdash; a genre that throws the rulebook out the window. From the prog experimentation of King Crimson to the intricate emo stylings of American Football and the genre-bending chaos of The Fall of Troy, this episode is a crash course in one of rock&rsquo;s most fascinating subgenres.
We start by explaining the basics of time signatures and how most pop music plays it safe in familiar 4/4 rhythms. Then, we dig into artists who broke the mould &mdash; like The Beatles, Dionne Warwick, and Pink Floyd &mdash; before diving headfirst into true math rock territory with bands like Slint, Black Flag, and King Gizzard &amp; the Lizard Wizard.
🎸 What you'll learn in this episode: 🧠 What time signatures are, and why math rock plays with them 🥁 How artists like Ringo Starr and Bill Bruford tackled complex rhythms 🎶 Why math rock remains a cult favourite despite its heady structure
Whether you're a musician, a music theory nerd, or just curious about rock's weirdest corner, this episode is for you.
Featuring tracks by: Battles, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Slint, Black Flag, American Football, The Fall of Troy, King Gizzard &amp; the Lizard Wizard &amp; more.
Follow @beginnersguideshow on Instagram for updates and episode requests.

Errol Hayden is a 24-year-old music fan who loves to delve deep and learn about different topics. He does this in his work as a journalist and through his radio show, Beginner's Guide.

Errol Hayden is a 24-year-old music fan who loves to delve deep and learn about different topics. He does this in his work as a journalist and through his radio show, Beginner's Guide.

Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide to Math Rock

Beginner's Guide  - 28  April 2025

In this episode of Beginner’s Guide on 106.7 Phoenix FM, we dive deep into the explosive, glitchy, genre-defying world of hyperpop. Host Errol Hayden returns from a European getaway to explore the sounds, history, and cultural context of one of the most chaotic and influential musical movements of the 2010s and beyond.

From the robotic roots of Daft Punk and the glossy electropop of Lady Gaga, to the boundary-pushing innovation of SOPHIE, A.G. Cook, and 100 Gecs, we trace the evolution from bubblegum bass to full-blown hyperpop. Along the way, we unpack the genre’s ties to LGBTQ+ communities, its viral popularity on TikTok, and the recent shift away from the label by some of its own pioneers.

Featuring music from Charli XCX, Hannah Diamond, Danny L Harle, Dorian Electra, and more, this hour-long episode is packed with iconic tracks, insightful commentary, and a look at where hyperpop might be headed next.

🎧 Tune in to discover:


What defines hyperpop and how it differs from bubblegum bass


The influence of early 2010s electropop on Gen Z artists


Why some hyperpop artists are now distancing themselves from the term


How Charli XCX's Brat era represents a new direction for the genre

📻 Missed the show? Catch up anytime at phoenixfm.org.au/listen
📲 Follow the show on Instagram: @beginnersguideshow
📅 Next week: We explore the complex time signatures and crunchy riffs of math rock!

In this episode of Beginner&rsquo;s Guide on 106.7 Phoenix FM, we dive deep into the explosive, glitchy, genre-defying world of hyperpop. Host Errol Hayden returns from a European getaway to explore the sounds, history, and cultural context of one of the most chaotic and influential musical movements of the 2010s and beyond.
From the robotic roots of Daft Punk and the glossy electropop of Lady Gaga, to the boundary-pushing innovation of SOPHIE, A.G. Cook, and 100 Gecs, we trace the evolution from bubblegum bass to full-blown hyperpop. Along the way, we unpack the genre&rsquo;s ties to LGBTQ+ communities, its viral popularity on TikTok, and the recent shift away from the label by some of its own pioneers.
Featuring music from Charli XCX, Hannah Diamond, Danny L Harle, Dorian Electra, and more, this hour-long episode is packed with iconic tracks, insightful commentary, and a look at where hyperpop might be headed next.
🎧 Tune in to discover:
<ul data-start="1144" data-end="1414">
<li data-start="1144" data-end="1208">
What defines hyperpop and how it differs from bubblegum bass
</li>
<li data-start="1209" data-end="1269">
The influence of early 2010s electropop on Gen Z artists
</li>
<li data-start="1270" data-end="1343">
Why some hyperpop artists are now distancing themselves from the term
</li>
<li data-start="1344" data-end="1414">
How Charli XCX's Brat era represents a new direction for the genre
</li>
</ul>
📻 Missed the show? Catch up anytime at <a href="http://phoenixfm.org.au/listen" data-start="1456" data-end="1513">phoenixfm.org.au/listen</a> 📲 Follow the show on Instagram: @beginnersguideshow 📅 Next week: We explore the complex time signatures and crunchy riffs of math rock!

Beginner's Guide  to Hyperpop

In this episode of Beginner’s Guide, we dive deep into the grooves of Acid Jazz — a genre that fused jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, and club culture into a sound that defined a generation. Sparked by the recent passing of Roy Ayers, hailed as an acid jazz pioneer, host Errol Hayden explores the genre’s roots in London’s late-80s club scene, the rise of influential acts like Galliano, The Brand New Heavies, and Jamiroquai, and its evolution into jazz-rap and neo-soul.

Featuring iconic tracks and under-the-radar gems, this hour-long journey traces Acid Jazz from its dancefloor origins to its 21st-century revival. Whether you're new to the genre or a longtime fan, this episode offers a vibrant and informative guide to one of music’s most eclectic movements.

Listen now to discover:
🎷 What is Acid Jazz?
🎧 How it connects to acid house, hip-hop, and neo-soul
🔥 Tracks from Galliano, St Germain, Jamiroquai, Thundercat & more

Follow us on Instagram @beginnersguideshow for updates and back catalogue highlights while the show takes a short break.

In this episode of Beginner&rsquo;s Guide, we dive deep into the grooves of Acid Jazz &mdash; a genre that fused jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, and club culture into a sound that defined a generation. Sparked by the recent passing of Roy Ayers, hailed as an acid jazz pioneer, host Errol Hayden explores the genre&rsquo;s roots in London&rsquo;s late-80s club scene, the rise of influential acts like Galliano, The Brand New Heavies, and Jamiroquai, and its evolution into jazz-rap and neo-soul.
Featuring iconic tracks and under-the-radar gems, this hour-long journey traces Acid Jazz from its dancefloor origins to its 21st-century revival. Whether you're new to the genre or a longtime fan, this episode offers a vibrant and informative guide to one of music&rsquo;s most eclectic movements.
Listen now to discover: 🎷 What is Acid Jazz? 🎧 How it connects to acid house, hip-hop, and neo-soul 🔥 Tracks from Galliano, St Germain, Jamiroquai, Thundercat &amp; more
Follow us on Instagram @beginnersguideshow for updates and back catalogue highlights while the show takes a short break.

Beginner's Guide to Math Rock

Beginner's Guide

In 1 playlist(s)

Beginner's Guide

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips