“So what’s your favorite type of music?”
We’re all used to the panic that comes to answering this question – and, if you’re like me, the struggle that comes from having to sum up your expansive iTunes library in a few words. But, more often than not, the answer is pop, a word conjuring up images of the Taylor Swifts and Katy Perrys of the world. It’s an answer that might earn a sneer from the indier-than-thous – who hasn’t heard “ugh, they’re so mainstream now”? – but pop music is evolving. No longer is the Top 40 dominated by what seems like different arrangements of the same two or three songs. Say hello to four emerging artists who are completely changing what it means to be a pop artist.
MELANIE MARTINEZ
Armed with only her voice and a guitar, Melanie Martinez burst onto the scene on season three of The Voice in 2012. She made it to the Top 6 before being eliminated, but signed with Atlantic Records and released her debut EP Dollhouse later that year.
Martinez was silent until this year, when August saw the release of Martinez’s debut LP, Cry Baby. The concept album immerses listeners in the story of Cry Baby, a fictional character Martinez calls “a fairy tale version” of herself. Throughout the album, the listener experiences first love, heartbreak, and self-acceptance with Cry Baby, and physical copies of the album include a storybook illustrating the twisted tale. Martinez’s strength, however, comes not from the story told, but the sugary-sweet delivery of it. Lead single “Pity Party” laments the betrayal of a failed birthday party, with an infectious hook that samples Lesley Gore’s iconic hit “It’s My Party.”
Looking at the track listing of the album, it may be hard to take Martinez seriously, especially with titles such as “Mrs. Potato Head” and “Teddy Bear.” Yet listeners soon find that the album is anything but a nostalgic trip to their childhood toy box. Martinez cocoons dark lyrics in youthful innocence, giving off the eerie effect of a woman who’s been through incredibly dark times but still refuses to grow up.
To quickly get to know Cry Baby, listen to the following tracks: the cynical, synth-heavy “Sippy Cup,” the irreverently infectious “Alphabet Boy,” and the Alice in Wonderland-inspired “Mad Hatter.”
HALSEY
Ever since her debut EP Room 93 in 2014, singer-songwriter Halsey has never been anything but honest. And it’s gotten her quite the following: 709,000 Twitter followers, 830,000 Instagram followers, and countless supporters on Tumblr. (Although she’s no stranger to social media – ever hear of “The Haylor Song”?) But before she was Halsey, she was Ashley Frangipane, who had quite the turbulent adolescence: in a recent interview with Nylon, she confessed that her friends were doing drugs and dying around her when she was only 17. The persona Halsey became a way for her to cope.
As for how she coped, that can be heard on her debut album BADLANDS, which was released in August. BADLANDS is a concept album, transporting the listener to the dystopian society Halsey created. It’s a place full of greed, lust, and chaos, a place that draws people in and never lets them go. Think of the single “Ghost” as your travel brochure.
Sonically, the album is full of dancing synths and echoing hooks, but what Halsey does so effectively is cause the listener to question their own experiences and motivations. Listeners are forced to realize that darkness exists, and that it’s a very real thing, but soon learn they can conquer the darkness in their own lives. That’s exactly what makes BADLANDS so compelling.
If you can’t make time in your schedule for an extended stay, check out these tracks for a shorter trip: album opener “Castle,” an empowering, echoing anthem, the heartbreakingly relatable “Colors,” and “Control,” a gripping, dark exploration of one’s psyche.
TROYE SIVAN
Troye Sivan is no stranger to fame. Since 2007, he’s been posting videos of himself singing on YouTube, and began posting more vlog-style videos in September 2012. Currently, Sivan has 3.5 million subscribers and over 203 million views on his official YouTube channel. And now he can add musician to his resume, thanks to EPs TRXYE (2014) and 2015’s WILD. TRXYE gained Sivan mainstream attention with the chart-topping single “Happy Little Pill” and established Sivan as the next artist to watch.
WILD is an incredibly personal record, fueled by many of Sivan’s own experiences, especially those concerning his sexuality (he publicly came out as gay in August 2013). The EP will be accompanied by a trilogy of music videos titled “Blue Neighbourhood,” which tells the story of two boys who were childhood friends and become involved in a romantic relationship. The first installment of the trilogy, the video for title track “WILD,” is out now.
With WILD’s release, Sivan has solidified his presence as a pop artist to reckon with. Although his songs are quite different from what you may hear on the radio – his music is best described as electro or dream pop, characterized by its ethereality – they appeal to the masses, which for Sivan is what pop music is all about. His goal isn’t to follow in the footsteps of others. It’s to make his own path and stay true to himself while doing it.
To experience what it’s like to really be driven wild, check out the slow, pulsing “BITE” and album closer “DKLA,” an enthralling, addictive track featuring up and coming rapper Tkay Maidza.
PENTATONIX
After emerging victorious from the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, five-member acapella group Pentatonix slowly became a household name. With five EPs under their belt, including a platinum selling holiday album, the quintet is quickly showing that instruments are not necessary to create infectious and catchy songs. The group’s YouTube channel, PTXofficial, currently has over 8.9 million subscribers, making it the thirteenth most subscribed to music channel. As well as posting covers and medleys to this channel, the group makes extensive use of social media to interact with their fanbase and tease new music.
And speaking of, the group’s debut LP, titled Pentatonix, is slated for release October 16, 2015. The album will be completely composed of original songs, including three covers and a remix of the album’s lead single on the deluxe version. Check out the video for lead single “Can’t Sleep Love” below.
Rooting through Pentatonix’s extensive discography can be time-consuming, so squeeze these into your next study session for a quick catch-up: the endearingly eerie (and Halloween-appropriate) “Aha!”, the Grammy-award winning “Daft Punk,” a medley of the electronic duo’s biggest hits, and one of the group’s original songs, “See Through,” an unapologetic declaration of love showcasing tenor Mitch Grassi’s impressive falsetto.
All albums are/will be available for streaming on Apple Music and Spotify. Happy listening!
Author’s note: As this article was being written, Halsey released the music video for her next single “New Americana.” Troye Sivan released the video for “FOOLS” as the second part of the Blue Neighbourhood trilogy.