POP Sucks…

Now I’ve never known Pop music to be this explicitly sexual, it has historically been associated with an air of playful, witty, and glamorous themes often relying on gimmicks to capture the attention of listeners. Dua Lipa’s rise to stardom has brought about a shift within the genre. Recreating the level of authenticity achieved by Dua Lipa’s successful sophomore album rollout, music videos, fashion ventures, and tour run may be a challenging feat, as such a high standard has not been witnessed in the music industry for decades for a Pop artist. Thus artists resorting to sexually explicit content. The use of sexually suggestive themes is a common tactic to garner attention, but it may not align with pop’s traditional image. Moreover, considering that pop music has a broad listenership, including parents and youth, the explicit nature of “Slut Pop” may not resonate with everyone.

Kim Petras’ ability to embrace her sexuality and feature Nicki Minaj without being subject to the level of scrutiny faced by Chloe, Normani, or even Beyoncé, is somewhat iconic and indicative of a camp aesthetic.

Back in my day, Britney Spears’ song “If You Seek Amy” was the epitome of controversy. The song’s use of the word ‘fuck’ had to be disguised to chart on the radio. However, thanks to Victoria Monet’s pen and Ariana Grande’s album “Positions,” the pop genre has opened up to explicit discussions about sex. As a 26-year-old, I appreciate the normalization of sex talk in my friendship groups and personal life. It’s natural and universal, and the fact that it has unintentionally become cool is unexpected.