Rock the world: Pop Breaches Genre Barriers
Popular Music Continues to be Influenced by the Alternative Music Scene
Take a look at any two decades (even if they lay next to one another), and one will inevitably find two completely dissimilar styles of music. But why is that? Music is always a reaction to a movement, then followed by a countermovement. It is this endless tug-of-war that brings forth complementary genres, such as how goth or new wave responded towards punk rock. Elements from these subgenres eventually trickle down into popular music (or pop music), all mixing together into what we hear on charts or the radio. Rock music, particularly, has been seeping into pop for decades. Although, recently, it has decidedly become a more prominent figure.
Usually, only hints of different musical directions are present, which is much more digestible for first time listeners. Pop rock has been on the rise again, almost rebirthing rock’s central stage, showing its first signs from the 1960s up into the early 2000s.
This notably began around 2020 with songs such as “Monsters” by All Time Low feat. blackbear. All Time Low is a pop punk band particularly known for their hit song “Dear Maria, Count Me In” and broke through pop music by incorporating artist blackbear. The song itself has elements of the song’s pop punk history, but definitely leans more into a pop direction with a bit of a “cleaner” sound and some electronic components. Not to mention Alexander Gaskarth’s vocals strayed away from the stereotypical face of the pop punk and emo scene.
In that same year, Doja Cat performed her record-breaking song, “Say So” for her MTV EMA – but as the song’s metal older brother. It begins with some heavy riffs and Doja Cat singing a more slowed and melodic version of the song. Even visually does she accentuate this genre switch, wearing dark eye makeup that blends in with the band behind her and their edgy feel. The flying V is also a guitar found typically in heavy metal. She screams certain lines to better amplify this, but still stays true to her sound with rap and singing parts. This revamped version even features a breakdown, something often characterized within the metal genre.
Then in 2021, albums such as SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo found similar traction. Songs like “brutal” and “good 4 u” have pop rock-like elements in them, with guitar riffs front and center, almost representing this “rebellious youthful nature” with vengeful undertones. Similar to the distorted guitar, Rodrigo’s voice also seems rawer compared to others. Clashing with this anger, there are also softer parts that are mirrored in her other, slower songs.
Italian band Måneskin then won Eurovision in 2021 with the energetic song titled “ZITTI E BUONI”, which propelled rock more into the mainstream, and they continue to face popularity to this day, keeping the genre in the loop.
“SKIN OF MY TEETH” by Demi Lovato also takes this “angry pop rock” sound with them in the following year, incorporating rock-inspired instrumentals in the background, but still singing in their melodic voice. The intro, especially, feels like a modern rock song. There is this “start and stop” component with a thick riff to better emphasize what they are saying, something that is particularly found in rock songs.
Singer of emo rock band Pierce the Veil, Vic Fuentes, has often collaborated with other groups, even experimenting with those vastly outside of his genre. The perfect example of this is “a kind thing to do” by Cavetown in 2022. Cavetown maintains the indie pop vibe of his songs, with a soft acoustic guitar in the background, something largely contrasting Fuentes’s own projects. Cavetown’s voice is very soft, but when Fuentes enters the song, he suddenly interrupts this calm, relaxed voice, screaming at an angrier part to better emphasize it. He reappears for the feature part of the song, singing a bit more leisurely than he usually does to better fit the song. As is obvious here, when being featured, he attempts to adapt to the new genre.
This year, Megan Thee Stallion introduced a rock twist to her song “Cobra”, featuring the metalcore band Spiritbox. Thee Stallion has her traditional rap vocals that overlay the metalcore instrumentals of her feature, but Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox retains her lyrical and vocal style, presenting a delectable contrast to Thee Stallion. Somehow, though, the two compliment each other in a shocking collaboration.
Hozier’s “Nobody’s Soldier” is a more hard-hitting song for the artist, presenting garage rock characteristics that feel almost nostalgic to decades ago. It brings a light, joyful riff that contrasts with the occasional whispery vocals from Hozier. Some fun electronic elements are incorporated, as well, all fusing together in an impeccable example of musical fusion.
Overall, rock has been molded in every hand it has been held, whether that be a brief collaboration or a lifelong career, but regardless, they have allowed for the evolution of the genre. In some instances, songs could be heavier, and in some, it may be closer to the style of the pop artist, but it still illustrates in what measure this experimentation may work for them as an artist. Music changes, morphing into whatever it needs to be, and it just so happens that pop has formed a bond with the genre that has shaped it the past couple decades.
The New Wave of Pop to Country
Pop Music is Presenting Increasingly More Country Influences in Today’s Music
Many artists have evolved over the progression of their caree r. Many improve, progressing by each new installment in their career, but how have they actually transitioned as musicians through their albums?
One recent culprit of this shift from pop to country is Post Malone. His last album, AUSTIN, was released in 2023. Lead singles like “Chemical” and “Mourning” were found and debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 100. AUSTIN is sonically not as pop as his previous records, and came out more with an alternative and synth-pop sound.
Yet his latest LP, F-1 Trillion, was an absolute one-eighty degree turn. The album strives in its attempt to be a country album. The leading singles for the album “I Had Some Help”, “Pour Me A Drink”, and “Guy For That” featured prominent Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Blake Shelton. “I Had Some Help” itself got Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, landing itself number two in the Hot 100.
While AUSTIN has been out for a longer period of time compared to his newest and latest album from this year. As it stands, “F-1 Trillion” and its brother “F-1 Trillion:Long Bed”, have been out only for a handful of weeks, managing to have garnered positive reactions from previous and new forthcoming Post Malone fans.
Turning to look at one of the powerhouses of the century, Beyoncé can be found as another assailant in the turn from pop to country.
Beyonce’s 2022 record titled Renaissance was a massive pop hit. Combined with leading singles like “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM” (ft. Kendrick Lamar) and “BREAK MY SOUL”, along with songs like “HEATED” and “ALIEN SUPERSTAR”, it is a mix of fun and bass heavy pop hits, with the blend of house and dance music you would hear at the clubs. The repetitiveness in beats and simplicity really shines through and accentuates the album’s genre.
Alternatively, this year Beyoncé released her country focused LP COWBOY CARTER. Accompanied with the lead single “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”. Not only is the name of this single severely on the nose, but without even hearing the song one can assume it has a country twang (as the many people who heard when it blew up on TikTok).
The song opens up with a country guitar loop and a very punchy but steady drum beat, which is comparative to “AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM ”, which opens with an almost drill-type beat. Notably a stark difference in the tracks, the album’s country rampage is continued in addition to a cover of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton, which is very emphatically rooting the country sound in this record.
Post Malone and Beyoncé don’t even scratch the tip of the iceberg of this transition trend. Pop artist Sabrina Carpenter, who won song of the year for her hit “Espresso”, features a country twang and swing during the verses large hit single “Please Please Please”, even the instrumentals having a Dolly Parton sound.
I do not think this means these artists will fully abandon their rap or pop sound, but I do hope this leads to artists trying out and experimenting more. As in these cases, it has absolutely paid off for these artists.
