Summer of 2024 has been filled with new trends, ranging from fashion to food–but most importantly, music. Together, singers like Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan have formed the summer of pop music. And we’re here for it. For the first time in a long time, millennials and Gen Z feel heard. Singing their vulnerable lyrics with pulsing energy, singer and audience alike are having the time of their lives. Charli XCX describes her best selling album, “Brat,” as a girl who “has a breakdown, but kind of like parties through it.” She is rebranding what most think of as “mainstream” pop music. Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter have been sharing the top Billboard spots this summer, standing out in a similar fashion to Charli. Both share their honest and authentic opinions through fun pop music and lively performances. But what makes these artists different is that all three communicate with their fans like friends, creating an energetic environment that allows everyone to be themselves.
On “Brat,” Charli explores the impending question most women have when entering their thirties. She reflects on the pressures of society, specifically the one in which women are expected to have children once reaching 30, and writes “I think about it all the time / That I might run out of time / Would it give my life a new purpose?” Charli’s music, while incredibly upbeat, sheds a light on societal expectations–giving the way to a whole new meaning of “Brat.” Sabrina Carpenter, on the other hand, has brought back classic pop, simply because her music is fun. She never takes things too seriously, and sings the typical romantic pop music which gets everyone (and we mean everyone) up on their feet. These rising stars bring music lovers together by creating an environment where everyone can forget about the real world (even if it’s only for the 2 minutes and 56 seconds of Espresso).
So, what is it about these artists that make them so attractive to the public? On one hand, they know how to have a good time. On the other, they have the ability to channel their raging emotions into catchy beats and “stuck in your head” lyrics. One minute, Sabrina Carpenter writes a track begging her boyfriend not to embarrass her, while the next is about the crushing pressures she faces as a young woman in society.
What’s even more exciting is many of these young artists are just getting started. While they have been releasing music since their youth, the ever growing presence of social media acts as a platform for new music to be discovered and fanbases to grow. With Carpenter’s album “Short n’ Sweet” releasing in August, Charli off on a sold out tour, and Chappel Roan playing to massive crowds, these artists have officially “made it,” and are only going up from here.
Ask yourself how many times you’ve found yourself humming “Good Luck, Babe!,” singing “Please Please Please,” or doing the “Apple” tiktok dance this summer. We’re guessing it’s pretty often. Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo are a few of the artists on tour this summer, and it’s an understatement to say that they are changing the future of the music industry. While they create an environment for all to become the best versions of themselves through their music, their women audience, specifically, feel heard and seen. Pop music is changing for the better, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2024 will bring for music!
