Enthralling odd meters: mysterious music with odd time signatures and complex rhythms

Suddenly, but have you heard the musical term “irregular time signatures”? Many of you probably learned concepts like 4/4 in music class, but unlike common meters like 4/4 or 3/4, pieces that use unconventional meters such as 5/4 or 7/4—or even switch between multiple meters within a single song—are collectively referred to as “irregular time signatures.” They might sound a bit niche, but in fact, you can find irregular meters in pop songs, anime themes, and more that you hear every day.

In this article, we’ll introduce songs that use these intriguingly unusual time signatures, spanning a variety of genres.

Be sure to try counting along as you listen!