QUESTION MARKS ??? (yummy thoughts)
On New Years Day of 2020, I infamously resolved to only listen to Happy Music. And, honestly, it worked (that first week of March was going super well)! But even as we leave behind the year-that-must-not-be-named-but-definitely-curb-stomped-all-ur-hopes-and-dreams, we see the aftermath of a year in solitude. Now more than ever, mainstream pop and its artists are leaning into Sadness As A Brand.
Just this month, Olivia Rodrigo made music history by breaking Spotify weekly stream records with a teenage heartbreak anthem that will never not be stuck in my head, causing some to claim that the devil (Disney) is hard at work bringing an HSM plot line to the mainstage. Best of 2020 lists were dominated by songs literally called “People I've Been Sad” and “Lonely”. Gen Z heroes Billie Eilish and Conan Gray captivate listeners with such whispy vocal performances that I can’t help but wonder when they last took their allergy medication. Taking a page out of Robyn’s book, The Weeknd and Dua Lipa brought us synth-pop beats that slap so hard they nearly disguise lyrics of loneliness and longing. And the forlorn appeal of indie-rock goddess and full-time Love of My Life, Phoebe Bridgers, led to four Grammy nominations, an SNL headline performance, and an army of “Pharbz” choreographing dances on TikTok to her most dismal tunes.
Of course, normalizing sadness means less stigma around conversations about mental health, greater accessibility to wellness resources, and the ability text our friends “i can’t wait to slip the surly bonds of this flesh prison lmao” without anyone batting an eye. But at what point are we trivializing emotion for the sake of trendiness? Where is the boundary between vulnerability and irony? What will this mean for the current generation, whose formative years are defined by funeral dirges and sea shanties? And if you're someone who once bragged about your sadboi (can we retire that word this year) music taste, if sadness becomes the new norm, what is considered alternative? Is it joy? Or, as one dude on TikTok claims, is Normcore now… rebellion?
Whatever you decide, it doesn’t matter because in the end we all die anyways. Here’s a soundtrack for your dumb little life. <3
EXCLAMATION POINTS !!!!!! (hot albums)
Arlo Parks, Collapsed In Sunbeams: An exquisite blend of storytelling, sorrow, and sunlight, made even more entrancing by one sweet ‘n raspy British accent.
Weezer, OK Human: Over 15 years later, this track has replaced my former favorite song, “Beverly Hills”. Grateful for their ability to put all our thoughts into a bop, and really just wondering how they seem to constantly remain relevant.
Jazmine Sullivan, Heaux Tales: When I was 16, I watched this video of Jazmine singing “Home” from The Wiz and I lost my damn mind so here I am ten years later still scrEAMING about these riffs!!
DOT DOT DOTS … (delicious lists)
the millennium can have a beer now: a compilation of all new favorite songs released this year. (ha the millennium is legal now do u get it ha)
Hip To Be Sad, January ‘21: for skeletal trees and fat snow flakes and decision-making and two pairs of pants at once and my roommate’s hand-knit socks and wind resistance and newyearness
twennytwenny: in case you’re still stuck in last month and/or still writing 2020 on your checks
P.S. special shout out to personal pals with new music! lmk if you’ve got some I can highlight next time! i am proud of u :)