Mallcore
noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
- 1 Popular music that is overproduced, mainstream, corporately controlled, etc., as opposed to popular music that is independent or artistic. derogatory, slang, uncountable
"[…]a time when the hardcore scene badly needs to overthrow the mallcore bands, the naughty yet non-threatening pop punk groups who wear their tattoos like designer labels instead of inner scars."
- 2 nu metal. derogatory, informal, uncountable
"Troves of angst-ridden, mall-invading teens adopted Slipknot as their patron-saint back in 1999 (when the band’s self-titled debut came out), instantly earning the band a “mallcore” seal of disapproval by their critics"
Example
More examples"[…]a time when the hardcore scene badly needs to overthrow the mallcore bands, the naughty yet non-threatening pop punk groups who wear their tattoos like designer labels instead of inner scars."
Etymology
From mall + -core, since it may be played as background music in shopping centres.
Related phrases
More for "mallcore"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.