Are we officially living through a pop renaissance?

Pop music has always found its feet through different voices and faces, each representing the era's essence. From the faultless innocence of the 60s to the flamboyant beats of the 80s, pop has left a lasting imprint on each ear that has listened through the years. Finally, Gen Z has stepped up to the mic to give pop a brand new look. 

Gone are the days of choreographed perfection and dance sets. Gen Z is adding vulnerability to their playlists. With artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Bille Eilish baring their souls in their albums, musicians are creating a gateway for listeners to connect with their music on levels deeper than any generation before. Their songs address time-tested issues such as heartbreak, but also anxiety, judgment, stress, and the struggles of growing up in this day and age.

In addition to the lyrics, the musicality of the pop industry has also been seeing shifts, with artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, and Chappel Roan being spotted blending hip-hop, rap, and indie beats into their music, making songs that are as unique as the artists themselves. This trend has also made its way into Indian pop with songs like ‘Tere Bina’ by Shreea Kaul and “Make it All Make Sense” by RIDI gaining popularity. These songs flaunt notes of Indian culture mixed in with the pop tunes and beats we know and love, proving to the world that Gen Z is shaking up the pop industry by blending different genres into a personalised symphony. 

With pop having a major moment, one can’t help but wonder where the inspiration for the new music is coming from. If we think about it, we can clearly see it being drawn from the early 2000s. Tracks like Britney Spears's ‘Baby One More Time’ and Destiny’s Child's ‘Independent Woman’ give us a peek into the “man-eater” pop era. It was a time when women were asserting their power and dominance over men through music while shifting the narrative about them. With bold beats and bolder lyrics, women openly rejected the idea of dancing to the tunes made by men. The resurgence of singers like Charlie XCX and Miley Cyrus, who rose to fame during this time, added proof to this generation’s secret crush on early 2000s pop. 

The man-eater narrative might be making a comeback, but this time it’s less about devouring hearts and overpowering men, and more about setting boundaries, demanding respect, and taking up space. With songs like ‘Boss Bitch’ by Doja Cat, ‘Boyfriend’ by Dove Cameron, and ‘Please Please Please’ by Sabrina Carpenter, we can see a new wave of lyrics and themes emphasising self-discovery and emotional vulnerability. Gen Z is giving the pop industry the makeover it needed, all while staying true to themselves. As they continue pushing boundaries and challenging the norms of music, the world might just be witnessing what the future will call a full-blown pop renaissance.

Lead Image Credit: Getty Images

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