Pop music is making a dynamic comeback this year by blending iconic artists’ sounds with rising stars’ creativity. For the genre, social media works to amplify the excitement and bring a sense of community among fans, enabling real-time engagement with their favorite artists.
Look no further than Sabrina Carpenter’s well-beloved song “Espresso,” which is the perfect anthem for this energized resurgence. With established legends dropping fresh albums, and newcomers pushing boundaries, a bold and playful evolution is taking shape in the genre. With innovation and nostalgia working hand in hand, 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for pop music.
Carpenter, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish are all established singers in the industry, and their long-anticipated new albums topped the charts and dominated the summer of 2024. A quick look at the current Billboard 200 reveals the high interest in pop music that has driven this rise as each of these artists made it onto the top 10 of the chart. The chart also features other artists such as Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, who are crossing into the genre and pushing the boundaries of traditional pop music by incorporating their spark.
In addition to established stars, Chappell Roan is an example of new artists bringing fresh talent to the scene. In his article, “Who is Chappell Roan: Timeline of the singer’s rise to fame,” Scottie Andrew of CNN writes,
“She’s become known for her increasingly inspired onstage looks, which have ranged from rhinestone cowgirl looks to a Marie Antoinette-inspired gown and towering wig.”
Roan’s vibrant and eye-catching outfits during her performances coupled with her unique style help bring a new level of fun and energy to pop.
Similarly, Tate McRae, another new artist, has brought new energy to the genre through her vocal talent and lively stage presence, even drawing comparisons to legendary pop stars such as Britney Spears. She captivates the new generation through her extraordinary dancing as she’s been a professional since she was eight. With her ability to seamlessly dance and sing simultaneously, McRae isn’t just reviving the genre, but evolving it. By honoring the past and pushing boundaries, she is paving the way for what’s to come in pop music.
But what’s the backbone of the 2024 pop revival? Social media. Today, the media helps artists connect to their fans and allows fans to spread attention to new music. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are allowing artists to showcase their talent to fans around the world. A prime example of this is Charli XCX and her newly released album Brat. “Apple”, one of the songs on the album, went viral on TikTok after Kelley Heyer, a fan, created a dance for the song. This dance captured the attention of many TikTok users and Charli XCX herself participated in the trend, which helped connect her and fans. On the Billboard 200, her album wasn’t on the charts when it came out in early June, however, once the Apple dance became a trend, her album zoomed to #3 on the chart by the end of the month. Social media has the power to quickly turn a song into a hit, with fan-driven trends helping albums like Brat climb the charts and gain widespread attention.
As someone who listens to pop music frequently, I can confidently say we’re witnessing pop music come back bigger and better than ever. The emergence of new artists, the return of iconic singers, and the influence of social media give me hope for what comes next for the future of pop music.
