What do you call someone who is mental health aware, dislikes rigidity, and has humor as a coping mechanism? Generation Z. I may not understand a thing or two about memes, but I still grew up with the internet and a laptop on my table. What unites this generation is music. Still, technological advances have made it easy to access all types of it, contributing to the fact that diversity is a norm in this generation. That's why artists are also rejecting the idea of being put in the box of one single genre. But what sets gen z apart from the previous ones? What does it have in common with them in this area? In this post, I'm going to state some opinions on the topic of the music that I think defines gen z and perhaps even sets it apart.
First off, I would say that we are living in an era of exploration and revival. Again, this is all thanks to the development of technology and how it made the access to anything much easier. Back in the day, you had to buy CDs and borrow videotapes in order to listen to music or watch a film. Nowadays, all of this is possible for free from the comfort of your home. That's what allows us to explore genres and musical eras much easier than ever. Also, the universality of this offers us the chance to listen to artists from all over the world, from K-pop to Eminem. In addition to that, the music and fashion of the past are being revived through either tribute from younger artists or through this fantastic exploration. This could help bridge the generation gap. Now, let us dive deep into a quick list of songs that define gen z. Enjoy!
1. Gotye- Somebody I Used to Know
This one was ever present. Every radio or music TV channel was broadcasting it daily and nightly, and understandably so. Its rhythm as well as lyrics have all the potential to instantly become earworms. Some of us had this song stuck in our brains before we could properly understand English. This bitter-sweet breakup song defines the 2010s and, by extension, those who grew up with it too. Those who listened to it might as well remeber it forever, which is part of the reason it quickly became everyone's go-to karaoke song. That's why it became almost the anthem of the 2010s and probably the greatest hit of that era. It was obvious that its popularity would reach the younger generation as well. We grew up with this song, it's only natural to think that it had influenced us and our taste.
(source: zakasz.blogspot)
2. Olivia Olson- Everything Stays & Monster
Most of us grew up watching the chaotic tranquility of "Adventure Time" and its existential songs. I called them "existential" because, just like existentialism, they can be both depressing and liberating in meaning. "Everything Stays" is no exception. I interpret it as being about accepting things that you cannot change as they are. Those have remained the same, but the attitude towards them has changed ("Everything stays, but it still changes"). At the same time, it could be about a certain situation that has changed, but the people surrounding it haven't and most things remain the same. Still, this one speaks against rigidity and resistance to change. On the other hand, "Monster" is about feeling, well, like a monster. It hits hard because most of us are close to coming of age and we do feel as if we "were messed up kids who taught ourselves how to live". In a nutshell, Rebecca Sugar is underapreciated.
(source: wallhere)
3. My Chemical Romance- The Foundations of Decay
Did I mention the emo revival and the fact that I couldn't be happier about it? I apologize if I didn't, this band's reunion is leading the way. It's no secret this band defined the genre that opposed punk. Even though Gerard Way always hated the term and was unable to see the change it could bring to music, he is partly responsible for its 4th wave. A few years after the band's reunion, "The Foundations of Decay" was released and had fans going mental about it. It was refreshing to have a new song in typical MCR fashion after their hiatus. It touches on themes of death, aging, and entering a new stage in life, which reflects what has been happening with the members in the past years. Still, the song contributed to the rise of a new generation of emo, encouraging young artists and listeners to explore the genre. Ironically, this phenomenon brings me much delight.
(source: loudwire)
4. Estelle- Here Comes a Thought
I would bet a large amount of money this song indirectly contributed to the mental health awareness of our generation. In the episode "Mindful Education" of the beloved series "Steven Universe", Garnet teaches Stevonnie about mental balance and clarity. She says that, to understand your emotions, you "must see them clearly, without running from them". She explains mindfulness in a manner that's easy to understand, but without underestimating the intelligence of the audience. Thus, "Here Comes a Thought" is a reminder to stay calm during a stressful situation by viewing your thoughts and feeling with the detachment of a Buddhist monk. We need to face these matters; but if we let them simply wash over us like passing waves, they won't affect us as much. We also need to remind ourselves that a tough moment is not the end of the world and we aren't falling apart. In the end, did I mention Rebecca Sugar is underappreciated?
(source: Fandom)
5. Gayle- abcdefu
If "Somebody I Used to Know" is the breakup anthem of the 2010s, "abidefu" is the one for the 2020s. I sometimes forget that the one who wrote and sang this song is just one year older than me and rose to popularity in the most gen z way possible: TikTok. Of course, its popularity can also create fame! The song was originally teased to the platform and then released as a full track. Afterwards came the radio (or censored) version and several remixes. Inspired by personal experience, the song talks about the anger that sometimes follows a breakup. It speaks about how the girl tried to repair the relationship, but the boy didn't cooperate. I personally cannot say that I feel the message, but that doesn't mean it's not an absolute bop and one of my many favorites.
(source: genius)
6. Måneskin- Zitti e Buoni
Let's face it: it's the most popular song, but it's the way most of us discovered the band. Its appeal is quite simple to explain: from a good sound and lyrics to androgynous members, it has everything one would want from a band. The song that got the whole of Europe to (almost) worship Damiano David is also the song that won Eurovision, and rightfully so. It was a win for both rock music and gender non-conforming people, which caused a massive wave amongst youngsters (myself included). It's a song about the freedom of expression, the beauty of being yourself without caring much about how "people talk, unfortunately, and they don't know what they're talking about". It would be a lie to say it was unexpected since gen z dislikes narrow-mindedness.
(source: songslyrics)
7. Yungblud- Mars
Some people are calling gen z the most queer generation and there's a reason behind that. The quick access to information has made it much easier to learn about anything, including LGBT+ subjects, which led to more people unapologetically identifying with the labels and identities. That's the spirit captured by this beautifully sad song. Its lyrics were inspired by the story of a trans woman that Yungblud met during the 2018 Warped Tour. Her parents weren't particularly supportive of her identity...until she brought them to one of his concerts. Seeing his community helped them understand that there's nothing wrong with her gender identity, further highlighting the idea that one should not be afraid to freely express themselves. I honestly adore the message about acceptance and that story is one of the reasons why I have respect for artists like Yungblud.
(source: nme)
All in all, I feel like our generation is hard to define, even in terms of music. We are similar, yet unique at the same time in comparrison to the previous ones exactly because we enjoy diversity. Anyway, do you agree? Do you disagree? These are merely oppinions, but I sure had fun writing this. Peace! ✌️
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu