The Evolution of Pop/Rock Music and Its Aesthetic Shift
The question of whether pop/rock music has become less interesting recently has sparked debates among music enthusiasts. A significant factor suggested by researchers is the phenomenon of dumbing down, where the lyrical complexity has diminished, leading to a more simplistic and catchy but potentially less engaging musical landscape. This article delves into the evidence and analysis supporting this trend, tracing the evolution of pop/rock music from the 1950s to the 2020s.
Access and Competition in the Music Industry
Today, the music industry is more accessible than ever before. With millions of songs available at the touch of a button and intense competition among artists, record labels, and producers, it is more challenging than ever to stand out with conventional methods. Consequently, the music market demands catchy and instantly memorable tunes that can quickly capture the audience's attention.
Shorter and Simpler: The Evolution of Pop Music
Michael Varnum and his team from Arizona State University have found that pop/rock songs have become shorter and simpler over time, especially when the music market is highly competitive. Their research, shown in Figure 1, highlighted how these songs have become not only simpler but also louder. The increase in lyrical simplicity has been a consistent trend, with a clear correlation between competition and the complexity of songs.
Lyrical Compressibility
A study by Michael Varnum and his team found that pop songs have become increasingly simpler over time. This increase in simplicity is evident in the language used in popular songs, as well as in the analysis of 353,329 English-language lyrics across various genres such as rap, country, pop, RB, and rock. Figures and tables (not shown here for brevity) have been used to illustrate the changes in lyrical compressibility over the decades.
Figure 1. Change in Lyrical Compressibility along with a Music Production-based Forecast for Future Lyrical Compressibility.Psychological Reflections Through Music
Further research has shown that these changes in lyrics reflect broader psychological trends. Another study by Eva Zangerle and her team at the University of Innsbruck examined the changing use of words in popular music over the past 50 years. Their findings revealed that words related to self-focus and antisocial behavior have increased, while words related to other-focus social interactions and positive emotion have decreased. This trend has been consistent across various genres, with notable differences in emotional content among rap, rock, pop, RB, and country.
The Impact of Beat on Music
The beat plays a crucial role in the structure of pop/rock music, especially in genres like rap and rock. The use of 4/4 quarter time in rap and rock is almost exclusive, similar to the use of 2/4 time in march music. March music has historically been used for military drills, emphasizing synchronization and unison. It relies heavily on repetition, essentially reducing the emphasis on melody in favor of rhythm. This change shifts the focus from musicality to synchronization, an effective strategy for large groups but potentially at the expense of depth in the musical content.
Conclusion
The evolution of pop/rock music from a time of greater lyrical and musical complexity to a landscape more focused on simplicity and catchiness is a multifaceted issue. While this trend may cater to a more modern, easy-to-consume market, it has also led to a noticeable weakening in the artistic and emotional depth of the music. Understanding these changes provides valuable insights into the current state of the music industry and its future directions.
Note: For a comprehensive analysis, readers are encouraged to review the original research papers and studies referenced in this article.