4 ms·

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 a

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.

gambiting 3y ago
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.
notahacker 3y ago
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...
- tialaramex 3y ago
  They're Not Artists Because Nobody Can Play The Guitar
- midoridensha 3y ago
  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.
  - Clamchop 3y ago
    I disagree, I like a lot of that music that you don't like. Gosh, that was easy to refute. ; ) Not necessarily trying to be flip, just underlining that it's not reasonable to talk about matters of taste in the way that you are.
    - midoridensha 3y ago
      Hey, if you like music sung by people who can't sing and need Autotune, that's your prerogative.
      - Clamchop 3y ago
        Because no such track can be "good" and listeners are wrong to enjoy them? And of course many of those singers are technically talented anyway. Kind of just sounds like you're being an asshole.
        midoridensha 3y ago
        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.
        Clamchop 3y ago
        Are you hallucinating?
sirsinsalot 3y ago
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.

gambiting 3y ago

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.

notahacker 3y ago

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...

tialaramex 3y ago
They're Not Artists Because Nobody Can Play The Guitar
midoridensha 3y ago
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.
- Clamchop 3y ago
  I disagree, I like a lot of that music that you don't like. Gosh, that was easy to refute. ; ) Not necessarily trying to be flip, just underlining that it's not reasonable to talk about matters of taste in the way that you are.
  - midoridensha 3y ago
    Hey, if you like music sung by people who can't sing and need Autotune, that's your prerogative.
    - Clamchop 3y ago
      Because no such track can be "good" and listeners are wrong to enjoy them? And of course many of those singers are technically talented anyway. Kind of just sounds like you're being an asshole.
      - midoridensha 3y ago
        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.
        Clamchop 3y ago
        Are you hallucinating?

sirsinsalot 3y ago

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.