Many industries underwent many changes in 2020, and the music industry is no exception. As a result, there have been many exciting trend changes in 2021. If you enjoy going to the pub to have a pint while listening to music, check out The Rocksteady. Here are a few of them:
- Genres
- Synthwave, also known as Outrun, retrowave, or futuresynth, is heavily inspired by the music of 1980s action, sci-fi, and horror film soundtracks. It combines its 80s inspiration with modern electronic techniques and modern electronic music.
- Ambient music is all about atmosphere and sound design and often excludes percussion and lyrics. It can be described as creating a mood in which the listener can exist instead of being an entertainment focal point. Its unobtrusive nature tends to encourage the listener to wander in their thoughts instead of directing them in their thoughts. Examples include, new age, ambient house, ambient techno, chill-out, etc.
- J-Pop, or Japanese pop, is a mix between pop and rock with happy, extra-processed vocals and instruments. The resulting sound is highly polished and mechanical. The inspiration for J-Pop was 1960s and 70s bands like The Beatles and The Beach Boys, and it became internationalized primarily through the rise of Japanese anime films throughout the world.
- Nu disco is similar in concept to synthwave. Instead of referencing the 1980s, though, it references the American disco music of the 70s. It also diverts further from its original source. The drums in Nu disco, for example, are electronic and the vocals and instrumental elements are very processed, unlike its musical predecessor.
- Platforms
- Digital over physical. Yes, people still buy CDs and records, but not as many and for different reasons: because they want to have a physical representation of the relationship they have already forged with a musician’s body of music. How do they build that relationship? By consuming the music digitally. So, digital platforms have become a way to start and maintain a musical career, while physical merchandise has become a supplementary income. Some may fear the possibility of piracy and be concerned about the lack of consumer spending on such platforms, but musician’s add revenues from the streaming services have begun filling the gaps left by merchandise sales.
- Indie Musicians, or independent musicians, are benefiting from the digital trend for sure. Even without having a way to create their own merchandise and physical copies of their music, these musicians can grow their brand because all they have to do is record a song or video and upload it to a platform. In fact, they can just livestream and edit an entire home concert for future uploads on various streaming services. Further, when they are ready to create merchandise, they can simply use an online platform that makes the products form them for a small service fee. While having a big label endorsement might give a musician a quick hop up, it’s entirely feasible, and more likely, for the musician to simply climb their way up on their own, with their own home resources, and without the lottery-competitive feel of obtaining a record-label contract.
