The Pop Music Aesthetic
In recent years, the pop music aesthetic has come to dominate the mainstream. This aesthetic is characterized by highly produced, catchy melodies, and polished production values.
While some music fans may be turned off by this sonic approach, there’s no denying that it has produced some of the most popular songs in recent memory. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the pop music aesthetic and what makes it so appealing.
Defining the Aesthetic
The pop music aesthetic is a relatively new and ever-evolving concept. This type of music is created with the intention of being catchy and easy to listen to. The aesthetic of pop music often includes elements of electronic music, such as synthesizers and drum machines.
What is the pop music aesthetic?
The pop music aesthetic is a term used to describe the overall sound and feel of popular music. It is characterized by a catchy hook, driving rhythms, and simple, easily-digestible melodies. Pop music is often upbeat and positive, with a focus on themes of love and relationships.
The pop music aesthetic has its roots in the 1950s, when artists like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry began creating songs that were both accessible and enjoyable. Over the years, the pop sound has evolved and incorporated elements from other genres, but its core tenets remain the same. Pop music is designed to be easy to like and hard to forget.
Where does the pop music aesthetic come from?
The pop music aesthetic, also known as “the pop aesthetic,” is a style that embraces the mainstream and commercial aspects of pop music and culture. It is often associated with a bright, polished sound and image, as well as with a focus on fun, happiness, and escapism.
The term “pop music aesthetic” can trace its origins back to the early 2000s, when it was popularized by music critics and bloggers who were writing about the growing phenomenon of “poptimism.” Since then, the pop music aesthetic has become increasingly mainstream, appearing in everything from fashion to movies to advertising.
While the pop music aesthetic is often associated with a certain sound and look, it is ultimately about an attitude or approach to music and culture. Pop music should be fun, exciting, and accessible to everyone. It should make you want to dance, sing along, and have a good time.
Elements of the Aesthetic
The pop music aesthetic is a combination of elements that make up the sound, look, and feel of pop music. These elements include the use of synthesizers, drum machines, and digital audio workstations. Pop music also often has a catchy melody and is easy to dance to.
Catchiness
The word “aesthetic” is often used to describe how a particular piece of music sounds. In popular music, the aesthetic is often characterized by certain elements that are present in the song. These elements can be anything from the melody to the lyrics to the production values.
One of the most important elements of the pop music aesthetic is catchiness. A catchy song is one that is easy to remember and sing along to. It will have a memorable melody and/or hook, and it will be easy to dance to. This is why many pop songs are so successful: they are designed to be catchy and easy to enjoy.
Other important elements of the pop music aesthetic include simplicity, positive emotions, and a focus on having fun. Pop songs often have a positive, uplifting message that can make listeners feel good. They are also usually relatively simple, both in terms of their musical structure and their lyrics. This makes them easy to sing along to and remember. Finally, pop songs are often designed with the intention of getting people up and dancing; they are meant to be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Simplicity
The pop music aesthetic often values simplicity over complexity. This is evident in the song structures, which often follow a verse-chorus-verse-chorus pattern. The melodies are also typically fairly simple and catchy. The instrumentation is often minimal, featuring only a few instruments playing mostly simple parts.
This aesthetic is likely a result of the popularity of pop music. Because the goal is to appeal to as many people as possible, the music is designed to be easy to listen to and understand. It is also easier to dance to and sing along with when it is simpler.
Of course, not all pop music is simple. Some artists experiment with more complex arrangements, song structures, and melodies. And some pop songs are designed specifically for niche audiences who appreciate more complex music. But in general, the pop music aesthetic values simplicity over complexity.
Repetition
One element of the pop music aesthetic is repetition. This can be seen in the way that a lot of pop songs have simple, catchy melodies that are repeated throughout the song. This helps to create a sense of familiarity and makes the song more easy to remember. It also makes it more easy to sing along to. Additionally, repetition can be found in the use of sampled loops and phrases in many pop songs. This creates a sense of cohesion between the different parts of a song and gives it a sense of being “one big hook”.
Memorable Melodies
One of the most important elements of the pop music aesthetic is the melody. A good pop melody is memorable, catchy, and easy to sing along to. It often features a number of hooks—short, catchy phrases that are repeated throughout the song—which help to make it even more memorable. The best pop melodies are often quite simple, which makes them easy for listeners to sing along to.
Another important element of the pop music aesthetic is the beat. Pop songs typically have a strong, driving beat that helps to create a sense of energy and excitement. The best pop beats are those that are easy to dance to and get people moving.
Finally, the lyrics of a pop song are often just as important as the melody and beat. A good pop song will usually have lyrics that are catchy and easy to remember. They will often tell a simple story or convey a simple message, and they will usually be sung in a clear, understandable way. The best pop lyrics are those that listeners can easily relate to and identify with.
Lyrics that are Easy to Sing Along To
The easier a song is to sing along to, the more likely it is to become a pop hit. That’s because people want to sing along with songs that they know the words to. Songs that are easy to sing along to usually have a few things in common:
-The lyrics are fairly simple and repetitive.
-The melody is catchy and easy to remember.
-The rhythm is comfortable and easy to follow.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some pop songs have become hits even though they don’t have any of these three elements. But in general, if a song has all three of these things, it’s more likely to become a pop hit.
The Aesthetic in Pop Music Today
The term “aesthetic” can be used to refer to a number of different things, but in general, it describes the overall look or feel of something. In the context of pop music, the aesthetic refers to the visual elements that are associated with a particular artist or style of music. For example, the aesthetic of Taylor Swift’s music might be described as “cute and girly,” while the aesthetic of Kendrick Lamar’s music might be described as “street and tough.”
How the pop music aesthetic is used in contemporary pop music
In recent years, the pop music aesthetic has been increasingly used in contemporary pop music. This aesthetic is characterized by its focus on the visuals and production value of a music video or performance, rather than the song itself. For many artists, the use of this aesthetic allows them to create a more engaging and visually appealing product that can capture the attention of a wider audience.
While the use of the pop music aesthetic is not new, it has become more prevalent in recent years as technology has made it easier for artists to create high-quality visuals. In particular, the popularity of social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram have given rise to a new generation of performers who are able to reach a large audience with their music videos and performances.
One of the most notable examples of the pop music aesthetic in contemporary pop music is the work of British singer-songwriter Adele. Adele’s music videos and live performances are known for their focus on her powerful vocal performance, as well as their lavish production values. For example, her music video for “Hello” was shot in black-and-white and featured Adele singing in front of a green screen that displayed images from her past performances. The video was widely praised for its artistic visuals and earned Adele several awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best Music Video.
Similarly, American singer Lady Gaga is another artist who often uses the pop music aesthetic in her work. Gaga is known for her eccentric fashion sense and use of outrageous props and costumes in her live performances. She has also used innovative visual effects in her music videos, such as those used in her video for “Bad Romance.” The video features Gaga performing in front of a green screen that projects images of various locations around the world. The video was praised for its use of visual effects and won several awards, including two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Short Form Music Video.
The pop music aesthetic has also been used by some artists to subvert traditional ideas about gender and sexuality. For instance, American singer Miley Cyrus often uses sexually suggestive visuals and gender-bending fashion choices in her work. In doing so, she challenges traditional ideas about what is considered appropriate behavior for young women in the public eye. Similarly, British singer Sam Smith often uses make-up and traditionally feminine clothing choices to subvert typical notions about masculine identity.
While some artists have been criticized for using the pop music aesthetic solely for its shock value, others have praised it for its ability to create visually stunning products that can reach a wide audience. In either case, there is no doubt that the pop music aesthetic has had a significant impact on contemporary pop music and will continue to do so in the years to come.
Examples of contemporary pop songs that embody the pop music aesthetic
There are many examples of contemporary pop songs that embody the pop music aesthetic. One example is “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston. This song is upbeat and catchy, with a memorable melody and lyrics that are easy to sing along to. Another example is “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars. This song has a vintage feel, with a funk bassline and catchy horn hooks.
