Lo-fi beats are trendy, and for good reason - the soft tones and mellow drums associated with this genre makes it a perfect companion for studying, reading, chilling (and basically every other ‘-ing’). In a world of ever increasing stress, music like this offers that small release that often makes all the difference.
Simple themes, catchy melodies and ethereal soundscapes are what makes this genre sing for me. Soft snares are a must, and trying to incorporate the sounds of nature goes a long way to bringing an organic feeling to the music.