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The Changing Soundscape: Has Popular Music Lost Its Complexity?

FRNKOW Journal, Has Popular Music Lost Its Complexity

MUSIC

The Changing Soundscape

Has Popular Music lost its Complexity?

MUSIC






The Changing Soundscape:
Has Popular Music lost its Complexity?






FRNKOW Journal, Has Popular Music Lost Its Complexity

           Do you miss the days when music felt richer and more intricate? You’re not alone. Many people have the feeling that music today isn’t as complex as it used to be. But is there any truth to this perception?

Recent research has delved into this very question, trying to understand if there’s been a significant change in the complexity of popular music over the decades. The study, titled “Trajectories and revolutions in popular melody based on U.S. charts from 1950 to 2023” by Madeline Hamilton and Marcus Pearce analysed a large dataset of songs that made it to the US Billboard Hot 100 between 1960 and 2010. The findings offer a fascinating glimpse into how music has evolved over the past 50 years.

Measuring Complexity in Music

To understand the study, it’s helpful to know how the researchers defined and measured complexity. They looked at several aspects of music, such as:

Harmony: The combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously.
Timbre: The quality of a musical note or sound that distinguishes different types of sound production (like different instruments or voices).
Rhythm: The pattern of sounds and silences in music, which includes beats, tempo and time signature.

By analysing these elements, the researchers could quantify the complexity of each song.

Findings of the Study

Harmonic Simplicity

There’s been a notable decrease in harmonic complexity. Songs from the 1960s and 1970s often used a wider variety of chords and more complex chord progressions. For example, The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” features numerous chord changes and unexpected progressions. In contrast, modern pop songs tend to use fewer chords and the progressions are simpler and more repetitive. A song like Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” primarily relies on a four-chord progression throughout.

Timbre

While harmonic complexity has decreased, the variety of timbres has fluctuated over the years. The 1980s and 1990s, in particular, saw an increase in the diversity of instruments and sounds used in popular music. Synthesizers, electronic drums and other new technologies introduced a wide array of sounds. Think of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which incorporates a rich tapestry of sounds. However, recent trends show a reduction in timbral diversity, with many modern hits featuring similar production techniques and sound palettes. Songs by artists like Billie Eilish, though unique in style, often use a consistent set of electronic sounds.

Rhythmic Complexity

The study also noted changes in rhythm. Early decades had songs with more varied and intricate rhythmic patterns. Jazz influences in the 1960s and 1970s brought complex rhythms into mainstream music. For example, Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” features a syncopated groove that drives the song. Over time, there has been a shift towards more straightforward and regular rhythms, especially in mainstream pop music. Today’s hits like Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” often stick to a steady, simple beat that is easy to dance to and remember.

Why the Shift?

Commercial Interests

The music industry has become highly commercialized, with a focus on creating hits that appeal to the widest audience possible. Simpler songs with catchy hooks are often more marketable and easier for listeners to remember. Record labels and producers aim for songs that can quickly climb the charts and become earworms.

Technological Advances

Advances in music production technology have made it easier to create polished, high-quality recordings. Software and digital tools allow producers to perfect every aspect of a song. However, this can also lead to a homogenization of sound, as producers use similar techniques and tools. Autotune, for example, is a popular tool that corrects pitch but also imparts a distinctive, sometimes artificial sound to vocals.

Cultural Shifts

Changes in cultural trends and listener preferences also play a role. Today’s audiences might prefer the immediacy and familiarity of simpler music, which fits well with the fast-paced nature of modern life. Streaming services and social media also favour short, catchy songs that can go viral quickly.

The Upside of Simplicity

While some might lament the loss of complexity, there’s also an upside to the trends seen in modern music. Simpler music can be more accessible and relatable. It often emphasizes strong melodies and rhythms, which can create powerful emotional connections with listeners.

Moreover, the rise of digital platforms has democratized music production, allowing a broader range of artists to create and share their work. This has led to an explosion of new genres and sub-genres, each with its own unique sound and style. Artists on platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp often experiment with unconventional sounds and structures, contributing to a rich and diverse musical landscape.

           So, has music become less complex? According to the research, in some ways, it has. Harmonic and rhythmic complexities have decreased in popular music over the decades. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that modern music is worse. It’s simply different, reflecting the tastes and technologies of our time.

Next time you listen to your favourite song, think about the elements that make it appealing to you. Whether it’s the catchy melody, the relatable lyrics or the beat that makes you want to dance, there’s beauty in simplicity too. Music, after all, continues to be a rich and diverse form of expression, evolving with each generation.