2024 Pop Music: Collective Experiences in a Fragmented World

2024 Pop Music: Collective Experiences in a Fragmented World

theguardian.com

2024 Pop Music: Collective Experiences in a Fragmented World

2024 saw a country music trend among pop stars, Chappell Roan's chart success, Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras tour, the 'Brat' summer phenomenon, and Oasis's highly anticipated reunion, highlighting a continued desire for collective musical experiences.

English
United Kingdom
EntertainmentArts And CultureTaylor SwiftPop MusicCharli XcxFandomMusic Industry TrendsOasis ReunionCollective ExperienceBrat Summer
BeyoncéPost MaloneShaboozeyDashaZayn MalikLana Del ReyChappell RoanTaylor SwiftPhoebe BridgersCharli XcxOasisBtsBlackpinkFloSammy Virji
BeyoncéPost MaloneShaboozeyDashaZayn MalikLana Del ReyChappell RoanTaylor SwiftPhoebe BridgersCharli XcxNoel GallagherLiam GallagherJiminRoséLisaSabrina CarpenterEdna O'brienCleopatraLucrezia BorgiaWu ZetianSammy Virji
What were the most impactful musical events of 2024, and what were their immediate consequences?
In 2024, several mainstream pop stars shifted to country music, a trend exemplified by Beyoncé and Post Malone's albums. Simultaneously, Chappell Roan achieved chart success with her debut album after years of obscurity. Taylor Swift's Eras tour became the highest-grossing tour in history, making her a billionaire.
What does the popularity of these events suggest about the future of music consumption and the role of collective experiences in a digitally driven world?
The desire for collective musical experiences, evident in the Eras tour's unique fan rituals, the 'Brat' phenomenon, and Oasis's reunion, suggests a counter-trend to the atomization of music consumption through streaming and personalized algorithms. This trend points towards a future where collective engagement remains important despite technological advancements.
How did the seemingly disparate phenomena of Taylor Swift's Eras tour, Charli XCX's 'Brat' summer, and the Oasis reunion reflect broader trends in music consumption and fandom?
The year saw a dominance of monocultural pop stories, including Taylor Swift's Eras tour, Charli XCX's 'Brat' summer, and Oasis's reunion announcement. These diverse events shared a common thread: a resurgence of collective experience in a digitally fragmented music landscape.

Cognitive Concepts

3/5

Framing Bias

The narrative emphasizes the dominance of a few major pop culture events, framing them as defining moments of 2024. This focus could overshadow other important developments or trends within the music industry. The repeated use of phrases like "unavoidable," "superseded in the headlines," and "the clamour made it impossible to avoid" highlights the overwhelming media attention given to these particular events. While this accurately reflects media coverage, it may create a skewed perception of the year's musical landscape for the reader.

2/5

Language Bias

The language used is generally descriptive and evocative, but some phrasing could be considered slightly subjective. For example, describing the Eras tour as "bigger than the Beatles and Thriller" relies on subjective comparisons. Other instances of potentially subjective language include describing Charli XCX's "Brat" as "messier, brasher, wittier and wilfully trashier" and Oasis's reunion as generating "loud and lengthy expressions of joy; equally loud and lengthy expressions of horror." These phrases express an opinion, rather than a neutral observation. More neutral alternatives could be used to describe these events.

3/5

Bias by Omission

The article focuses heavily on a few dominant narratives in 2024 pop music (Taylor Swift's Eras tour, Charli XCX's "Brat" summer, and Oasis's reunion), potentially overlooking other significant trends or artists that might offer a more balanced view of the year's musical landscape. While acknowledging smaller artists like Chappell Roan, the analysis doesn't delve into the broader picture of emerging talent or subgenres. The impact of streaming services and their algorithms on shaping musical trends is mentioned but not analyzed in depth. This omission could leave the reader with an incomplete understanding of the overall dynamics of the pop music industry in 2024.

2/5

False Dichotomy

The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between the individualized experience fostered by streaming and the desire for collective experiences. While it acknowledges both, it doesn't fully explore the nuances of how these forces interact or coexist. For example, online fandoms, while described as "weird, often troubling," also represent a form of collective engagement, albeit one with potential negative aspects. The article doesn't fully address this complexity.

1/5

Gender Bias

The article mentions several female artists (Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Lana Del Rey, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Rosé, Lisa) alongside male artists (Post Malone, Zayn Malik, and the members of Oasis). While there's no overt gender bias in the selection of artists, the analysis tends to focus more on the commercial success and media impact of these artists rather than on deeper explorations of gender dynamics within their music or public image. There's no explicit discussion of gendered expectations or stereotypes affecting the artists mentioned.

Sustainable Development Goals

Reduced Inequality Positive
Indirect Relevance

The article highlights the success of artists from diverse backgrounds, such as Chappell Roan, who overcame challenges to achieve mainstream success. This reflects a positive impact on reducing inequalities in the music industry by providing opportunities for artists who may have been previously marginalized.