The Pulse of Today’s Music: What’s Trending Now
Genre-Blending: The New Normal
- In 2024, sticking to a single genre feels like a thing of the past. Artists are embracing genre-blending more than ever, mixing elements of pop, rap, rock, electronic, and even classical music. This year, we’ve seen major hits from artists like Doja Cat, who skillfully blends hip-hop with pop and punk influences, or Post Malone, whose songs move seamlessly between trap, rock, and folk.
- New artists are no longer confined to traditional genre labels, with genres like hyperpop gaining momentum. Pioneered by artists like 100 gecs and Charli XCX, hyperpop is a chaotic yet captivating mix of distorted beats, high-pitched vocals, and a mashup of various sounds.
TikTok’s Musical Influence
- If there’s one platform that continues to shape the music industry, it’s TikTok. Songs can go viral overnight, often driven by creative dances, memes, or challenges. One of the biggest success stories of 2024 is “Good Days” by SZA, a track that gained massive popularity on TikTok before becoming a global hit. Similarly, artists like Ice Spice and Steve Lacy saw their careers soar thanks to the platform’s viral reach.
- TikTok has become a launchpad for new talent, allowing independent artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers. If your song catches fire on TikTok, it’s almost guaranteed to find a home on mainstream streaming services.
The Rise of Amapiano
- Amapiano, a South African music genre, has exploded onto the global stage this year. Characterized by its laid-back beats, jazzy elements, and infectious piano melodies, Amapiano has crossed borders and is making waves in the international music scene. Artists like Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa have been leading the charge, while collaborations with global pop and hip-hop stars are helping the genre reach new audiences.
- Many tracks from the genre have become club favorites and are regularly featured on Spotify’s top playlists, demonstrating the genre’s rising appeal.
90s Nostalgia is Back
- Music has always cycled through trends, and this year, we’re seeing a huge revival of 90s sounds. From R&B to grunge to house music, today’s artists are drawing inspiration from the past. Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album has been praised for its 90s pop-punk vibes, reminiscent of early Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morissette.
- Meanwhile, house music is having a moment again, with artists like Drake and Beyoncé incorporating 90s house beats into their newest albums, including Beyoncé’s smash hit, “Break My Soul.”
The Return of the Album
- In the streaming age, singles have reigned supreme, but 2024 is witnessing a revival of the concept album. Artists are returning to creating albums that tell a cohesive story or express a central theme. For example, Lana Del Rey’s latest album is a beautifully crafted narrative, with every track contributing to a larger story about fame, identity, and love.
- This trend reflects a growing appreciation for deep, immersive listening experiences, where fans are encouraged to consume an album from start to finish, rather than just cherry-picking singles.
Small Artist Spotlight: Kryptograf
Kryptograf: A diamond in the rough
Born and based in Bergen, Norway, Kryptograf was formed in 2019 and makes heavy metal music inspired by the sound of the mid-late ‘60s. Their 2022 album, “The Eldorado Spell”, features larger-than-life riffs and haunting vocals. Their unique style shines through here, especially in tracks such as “Lucifer’s Hand”, “The Eldorado spell”, and “The Spiral”. In a similar style to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon”, this album features lots of song transitions: which means it’s best listened to all in one sitting.
“Lucifer’s Hand” is a nearly five-minute-long jam driven by a heavy bass riff and echoing lyrics. The song, which explores themes of guilt, temptation, and pleasure, offers a unique listening experience and a delightfully spooky, grungy apmosphere.
“The Eldorado Spell”, just a few seconds shorter than the previous, opens with an eerie bass melody, soon followed by the main riff and lyrics performed masterfully. As a title track, it does an exceptional job at setting the mood for the rest of the album. It’s my personal favourite of the album.
“The Spiral”, a heavy, doomy, slow, and bass heavy anthem, describes a feeling of hopelessness. An interesting change in tempo occurs about halfway through the song, morphing almost into a ballad at times. It also has a false end, the music going almost completely silent around 5:40 just to instantly pick back up.
Kryptograf’s style can best be described as “dark medival metal”. As much as I hate to say it, it’s a very love-it-or-hate-it kind of music and I don’t ever see them gaining the broader attention they deserve. However, when compared to the endless stream of mediocrity coming from spotify and soundcloud these past few years, Kryptograf is truly a diamond in the rough.