> There’s only so many notes and very few chords used in pop music.
At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man, I find very sad the fact that pop songs have become nothing more than 4 chords just repeating over and over, with a thin veneer of inconsequential melody over them, serving a never ending stream of banal lyrics. Is this really the best of what award-winning musicians like Sheeran et al can do? I mean, they don't even bother changing the harmony for the chorus, and where has the bridge gone?
There is more to music than harmony and melody. Some styles of music even don't have harmony at all, like Indian classical music. Or have pitch at all, like some African styles of drum music.
If modern pop doesn't seem to focus on melody or harmony, it's interesting what it focuses on instead. It doesn't seem to be rhythm or form either. It might be the timbres of sounds (interesting singing voice, unique singing manerisms, or difference between clean or dirty bass, etc.), trying to create a unique listening experience on common speakers. There's a reason why physical instruments are used ever less in pop while use of human voice is ever more in the focus.
It might also not be the music at all but instead the lifestyle and drama surrounding the artists. In that case, all I have to say is that there's more than pop and there has never been more amazing music in all styles you can imagine being produced. It also has never been easier to find and access. If you're not listening to it yet, you probably don't care that much about harmony, melody and whatnot.
Oh, I'm right there with you man. Modern pop is mostly dreadful. I think music producers have homed in on "the most appealing chord progression possible", and are reluctant to deviate from it, like an arms race. What boggles my mind though, is that some people don't seem to get bored by it. Tbh modern pop isn't even really music any more, it's much more a multimedia thing - with visuals (hot performers, cool videos etc) playing a massive part in its appeal.
Always makes me laugh when people put on their "modern music is rubbish" hat to complain about the 'Axis of Awesome' progression which is a slight switcharound of what is widely known as the '50s progression' or 'oldies progression' because so many songs from the good old days when music was fresh and vibrant and performers had real talent used it...
When people say that older music was better, they don't mean that ALL older music is good. There was lots of crappy music in the "good old days"; the stuff they're talking about is the good part.
These days, there's really no good part, at least not pushed by the big music labels. There is some great stuff outside the US, or from independent artists, etc.
If you're technically talented, you don't need Autotune. Sounds like you're an argumentative asshole who just can't stand the idea of someone not liking your preferred music. When I find out someone doesn't like my preferred music, the last thing I do is try to change their mind.
It is subjective though. Personally I really enjoy it, even when most of it is just basic 3-chord stuff.
The reason for this is partly the liberation of production. Anyone with a laptop can produce a track that rockets in popularity. There's plenty of really interesting pop too like The Weeknd.
There has also been a shift in the purpose of music for young people. Putting aside the use of music in things like TikTok, young people have zeroed in on simplicity to communicate an emotion. Music is more ambient, designed to provide something that resonates emotionally but isn't intrusive. Almost a self-medication with music.
This is, I think, because music became more portable. If you can have music on for 8 of 12 hours in the day, are you going to be sat doing critical listening to classical or 1970s prog? No, you're going to put on a background vibe that makes you feel good.
It is easy to be cynical about the commercialisation of music, but there's no black or white, the reality is more nuanced and there's innovation going on not only with the sounds and production ... but also what music means.
Ignore young people at your peril, or you'll be an old cummudgeon who only listens to Pink Floyd or whatever and misses out on so much.
But.....you yourself called it "most appealing chord progression possible". If it's appealing, why is it surprising that it's POPular?
And I don't really see what is there to be bored with - it's just music. You put a POP playlist on Spotify or whatever and it's enjoyable music that you can have on for 8 hours while you work. If you want stuff that deviates from it, there's plenty to choose from - but I don't understand why anyone is surprised that this isn't what most people listen to.
Unfortunately, it's what makes Pop Music, POPular. As long as it sells, it won't change. I remember Lady Gaga getting a lot of criticism early on in her career, then later, she showed how talented she is musically.
On a sidenote, we see it on the web, you can argue that most marketing websites look the same, it follows a formula that sells.
There's an amazing amount of fantastic music and it's hard to even keep up. You should be able to find something you like! I've been enjoying Pomme lately.
Why judge people for what they like? There has never been more choice in music, listen to what you like and be happy that others are doing the same. I think the incredible amount of choice is the largest reason for why pop music has become so formulaic. People who are interested in music all have their own playlists so pop has to focus even more on people who are largely uninterested in the complexities of music.
At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old man, I find very sad the fact that pop songs have become nothing more than 4 chords just repeating over and over, with a thin veneer of inconsequential melody over them, serving a never ending stream of banal lyrics. Is this really the best of what award-winning musicians like Sheeran et al can do? I mean, they don't even bother changing the harmony for the chorus, and where has the bridge gone?