The Future of Popular Music

Have you ever thought, “Music isn’t the same as what it used to be”? Honestly, I have never understood that sentence. Music is music. And on top of that, that’s theoretically impossible.

Globalization and the Digital Age

It surprises me how music evolves in this globalized world, thanks to the influences of new media systems, advances in digital production, and the “mixing” of musical styles due to the positive side of globalization and easy access to music and culture via the internet. Culture is no longer a luxury, and that’s a good thing for many people.

We can’t talk about a spectacular stylistic evolution in music in the last two decades, but the consequences of the digital era are already visible and can give us some clues about the future of music:

Diversification and Growth of New Styles: Curious styles like “Bloodywood” in India (a metal sound “made in India”) Bloodywood Are Taking Indian Metal To The World, an Indonesian Islamic punk movement: Punk Rock vs Sharia Law — Music World — Episode 5, and the acoustic jazz-funk scene in Thailand, ลำสั้นดิสโก้ Lam San Disco — The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band [Unofficial MV], are just a few examples. I’d love to hear about other sounds you know of! Please share them in the comments…

K-Pop, J-Pop, and the Appeal of Simplicity

K-pop (BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Dynamite’ Official MV) and J-pop [FullHD] 130823 AKB48 — Koisuru Fortune Cookie Live representing the dynamic musical landscape of Asia, are much more than cultural phenomena. While they may not reinvent the musical wheel, they infuse existing styles with distinctive twists and nuances that captivate audiences worldwide. Their popularity isn’t solely due to music but also to complex marketing campaigns — something common in Western pop culture since the early 90s.

Even genres like rock music continue to evolve and resonate despite their relative classicism. The masses often gravitate toward tunes that are approachable and simple in structure, choosing enjoyable rhythm and melody over complexity.

The Test of Time

Albums and songs need time to become “referential” within a specific style.

It takes years to see what they represent and their importance in a particular moment to become transcendental in music history. Albums like John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” John Coltrane — A Love Supreme [Full Album] (1965) or Sonic Youth’s “Daydream Nation” Sonic youth — daydream nation (Full album) 320kbps weren’t immediately recognized as definitive classics, but today they’re fundamental to understand the evolution of popular music.

We lack the perspective to fully understand the current state of music and its potential future. However, one thing is certain: good music will always endure.

The Music Production's Changing Paradigma

The way we produce music has changed dramatically.

From the early 20th century, when music wasn’t even recorded, to today’s digitized, studio-processed sounds, software music, the possibilities are endless. And this, without considering the entry in the game of AI, that will change completely the way of producing and probably even the sound.

On the other hand, software and digital production have made grow up scenes like Africa, South America, and many others constantly expansioning, in quality and number of producers.

In any case, I also have my touch of “retro” and I can’t think of a more futuristic image than the creation of the Theremin in 1920 ( Leon Theremin playing his own instrument ). As you can see in the video, Theremin is an instrument that modulates its sound without being touched, but approaching the hands, more or less, generating different tones.

I would love to read your comments and ideas, or links. (Do not forget to check those in the article ☺)

How do you imagine the future of music? What will we listen to in 100 years?