New Year, New Music

Having discovered DIY music last year, I was fascinated by the dreamy, synth-filled ballads of young artists like Clairo and Gus Dapperton. Alternatively called bedroom pop, DIY music has proliferated through Spotify and Soundcloud. The subgenre is defined by lo-fi, somewhat psychedelic music that musicians create (some out of the comfort of their own bedroom). Often, the individual artist sings, records, and produces themselves, hence the title. There is something very honest, compelling, and intimate about this approach to music DIY artists take.

Notably, Clairo’s music video for “Pretty Girl,” produced in 30 minutes in 2017, garnered millions of views, skyrocketing the success of the now 19 year old singer. Her soft, but thoughtful vocals complement the groovy digital beats present in her songs. Now, she headlines tours and festivals, all while being a college student. Clairo’s discovery has also directed attention at similar artists, who don’t restrict themselves to a certain style of music. Instead, they experiment with production and borrow from alternative, indie, pop, rock, and hip hop influences. Some significant artists in the scene are Rex Orange County, Yellow Days, Kevin Abstract, and Cosmo Pyke. Clairo has recently collaborated with some of these musicians, including Cuco and Jakob Ogawa.

It will be intriguing to see how DIY music evolves. For bedroom pop aficionados, the real, raw direction that artists take are one of the best parts of this unique genre. Artists focus on producing exciting, personal music projects that don’t simply produce for mass audiences, but still sound good. I, for one, will be on the lookout for fresh new talent, and how this genre continues to affect the music industry.

(The Fader)