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Music

The Resurgence of Pop Music: A Genre Under Fire

2024-11-19

Pop music, once a subject of much criticism, has made a remarkable comeback in recent times. Britannica defines it as commercially oriented music for a wide urban audience. Just like everything in the world, music elicits diverse opinions. From genre to genre and artist to artist, people have their say. When it comes to pop music, however, conversations often turn sour, with many holding strong negative views. Annie Bocock expressed this negative sentiment in her blog TEDxBrayford Pool. She said, "For me, not liking pop music was about being a 'different girl.'" Sean Parsons, director of the contemporary music and digital instruments program at Ohio University, noted that pop music has always been under the critical eye. He wrote in an email, "Whether it's an artist's 'selling out,' lacking depth or substance, or being too commercial, the story remains the same across generations." Despite the sometimes negative aura surrounding pop music, the 2020s have witnessed an incredible surge in its appreciation. Andrew Unterberger detailed this in an essay for Billboard. He mentioned how TikTok, a popular social media platform, has had a significant impact on the music industry. He wrote, "Increasingly, it feels like the app is fueling the fires that artists have already lit, providing additional exposure to well-liked songs through word-of-mouth." Business Insider reports that TikTok-trending songs often end up on the Billboard 100 or the Spotify Viral 50 charts. New stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Victoria Monét, and Tinashe have captivated audiences worldwide and stolen the spotlight. Parsons also emphasized that musicians have always been able to draw crowds and build a following. He wrote in an email, "Previous generations of pop musicians have shaped trends and built followers just like Chappell Roan or others, through 'traditional' media and performances rather than the immediate nature of TikTok, YouTube, etc." Although pop music is sometimes labeled as basic or boring, its songs can have a deeper meaning. Parsons said in an email, "In our Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments program at OU, we discuss the depth of artistry in pop and its place in our culture and how it responds to our societal issues." He gave the example of Taylor Swift and said, "Although I don't personally connect with her music, it doesn't mean it's not significant in culture and music." Parsons also pointed out that some people may complain about today's pop music lyrics, but every generation has heard songs about drugs or other adult themes. He wrote, "If you enjoy a song, enjoy it. Life's too short to care if someone values your music like you do. There's something liberating about that approach."