"Judging by mainstream music in 2025, humankind is not in a particularly creative place. The year's main storylines included the rise of AI slop and cartoon K-pop. A number of once-lively hitmakers churned out forgettable product. The most-streamed tracks came out in previous years; the songs of the summer sounded like winter. An escape from the malaise was simple: listening more broadly for new music. The best albums of this year were strange and personal."
"Artists tunneled in idiosyncratic directions, invented their own grammar, and told stories only they could tell. Whether they used stately cellos or dubstep wubwubs, they regarded technology not only as a tool but as an inspiration, a co-creator, one that opens certain creative paths and discourages others. Though we may be on the cusp of a major shift in how music is made, achieving excellent results will always require a thoughtful approach to the methods."
Mainstream music in 2025 displayed creative stagnation, driven by trends such as AI-generated filler and cartoon K-pop, and many established hitmakers produced forgettable material. The most-streamed songs were often older releases, and seasonal hits lacked vitality. Broader listening revealed the year’s strongest albums, which prioritized strangeness and personal vision. Artists pursued singular aesthetics, developed unique musical grammars, and used technology as both tool and collaborator. Some records channeled intimate obsessions and unconventional textures, while reunions and veteran performers showed mature perspectives. Excellence depended on deliberate methods and thoughtful integration of new creative resources.
Read at The Atlantic
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