The hottest Pop Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

Doomscroll: Matty Healy

Joshua Citarella's Newsletter • 656 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Pop Music
  1. Counter-culture has become more like a safe, marketable trend rather than a true rebellion. It's lost its original edgy vibe over time.
  2. Social media is changing how we experience public spaces and culture. We need to think about what a completely privatized world might look like.
  3. Conversations about culture and creativity are crucial. They can help us understand our current challenges and how to move forward.

The Rock Star Who Couldn't Sing or Play a Note

The Honest Broker • 12400 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎶 Music Pop Music
  1. The music industry shifted from trusting musical expertise to prioritizing image and commercial appeal over actual talent, sidelining aesthetic judgment.
  2. A 1958 example showed producers could manufacture hits by using a charismatic non-singer who spoke or ‘rapped’ over music and pairing them with a real vocalist, proving marketability could trump ability.
  3. That formula helped normalize influencer-style fame, appearance-driven acts, and formulaic pairings that still shape mainstream popular music today.

FYPcore and the Benson Boone-iverse

Read Max • 5506 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🎶 Music Pop Music
  1. Benson Boone's song 'Beautiful Things' has become popular on short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram, even if many people don't know who he is. It's often featured in videos about everyday life or personal stories.
  2. There’s a new genre of music emerging, called 'FYPcore,' which is designed to fit well with the style of videos on platforms like TikTok. This music typically evokes a bittersweet, positive vibe that works well for influencer content.
  3. Short-form social media platforms are changing the music industry by helping songs go viral without needing a dance challenge. This means that more songs could be made specifically for these platforms in the future.

"I Say a Little Prayer" - The enduring magic of Hollywood's greatest songwriters, Burt Bacharach and Hal David

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 419 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎶 Music Pop Music
  1. Burt Bacharach and Hal David were an amazing songwriting team that created many famous songs together. They made music that took listeners on an emotional journey, combining catchy melodies with deep lyrics.
  2. Dionne Warwick was a key artist for their songs, bringing a unique style and emotion to their music. Her ability to handle complex tunes made her the perfect fit for their unique sound.
  3. The song 'I Say a Little Prayer' has been reimagined by many artists, showing its versatility. Aretha Franklin's cover turned it into a soulful classic, proving great songs can be interpreted in fresh and powerful ways.

"Don't Rush Me," Taylor Dayne (1988)

The Lost Songs Project • 157 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎶 Music Pop Music
  1. The song 'Don't Rush Me' by Taylor Dayne from 1988 is a classic from the 80s music era.
  2. Taylor Dayne's vocals are described as sultry and smoky, delivering high notes with remarkable skill.
  3. The song peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 chart and has accumulated 1.7 million streams.
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Music question. And you might not want to know the answer.

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 10 Dec 10
🎶 Music Pop Music
  1. Desmond Child is a prolific songwriter who has written many popular songs across different artists. It's surprising to learn that one person can be behind so many hits.
  2. Some music fans feel that Desmond Child's influence changed the sound and style of famous rock bands, making them softer and more mainstream. This has led to mixed feelings about the evolution of these artists.
  3. Discovering the connections between songs can make you rethink your musical preferences and the true nature of the music industry. It might change how you see the art of songwriting.