The Resurgence of Pop Music and How the Girls are Dominating the Scene
Written by Chidubem Osuala on November 8, 2024
Pop music is known historically for its catchy hooks and its ability to make you feel good regardless of what emotional state you might find yourself in. This year, it has become obvious that pop music has come back in a big way. While it never truly disappeared, the past decade saw other genres like hip-hop and EDM capturing mainstream attention. It is now almost reminiscent of how it used to be back in the day when we had artists like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kesha and Taylor Swift releasing their head-banging and heart-throbbing bops.
For a long time, there was a certain level of decline in the output of quality pop mainstream music, as most of its value went into making more amazing records. As amazing as the indie infused phase of pop was, it is great as we are getting a feeling of the past with newer pop artists that keep giving us banger after banger. Now, pop is not only back in full force, but it’s also a stage primarily owned by women, redefining the sound, look, and impact of the genre. From seasoned stars to emerging voices, female artists are leading the charge, outshining their male counterparts and reshaping what it means to be a pop artist in the 2020s.
The Landscape Shift: A New Era of Female Powerhouses
Over the past few years, artists like Taylor Swift have been instrumental in putting pop back on the map with amazing albums such as 1989, Lover, and the more recent Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department. Swift’s ability to write relatable, nuanced songs that resonate with a wide audience has solidified her as not just a pop star but a cultural icon. Meanwhile, Dua Lipa emerged as a global sensation with her album Future Nostalgia, fusing disco, dance, and classic pop elements to create a fresh, irresistible sound that brought dance floors back to life post-pandemic and she has also kept this momentum going with her latest album release, Radical Optimism.
Beyond these mega-stars, the current pop landscape is being enriched by a new wave of talent. Sabrina Carpenter has captivated listeners with her refined pop sound and confessional lyrics, evident in her latest work, Short n’ Sweet. Carpenter blends vulnerability with high-energy pop beats, proving that you can dance and feel deeply at the same time. Chappell Roan is another name on the rise, pushing boundaries with her theatrical, queer-centric pop anthems like “Pink Pony Club” and “Hot-to-Go” that celebrate individuality and freedom.
Why Women Are Dominating the Pop Scene
The current pop revival is, in many ways, a reaction to an era where other music genres prioritized minimalism, detached coolness, or overt masculinity. Female artists have brought back storytelling, glamour, and emotionality, tapping into a collective yearning for music that feels both personal and universal. Their music doesn’t just entertain—it speaks to empowerment, self-love, heartbreak, and reclaiming identity.
Artists like Olivia Rodrigo, who burst onto the scene with SOUR and its runaway hit “drivers license,” exemplify this new breed of pop star. Rodrigo’s music resonated with millions by blending the raw angst of teenage love with the mature songwriting usually seen in artists much older and she displays this on her latest album GUTS. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish, with her whispery, avant-garde sound and deeply introspective lyrics, has proven that pop music can be as dark and complex as it is catchy. Billie Eilish recently took the word by storm with her latest albums and her two smash hits, “Lunch” and “Birds of a Feather.”