Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: November 30, 2023 | 
| 中文
Tu Jhoom by Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal
Where words fail, music speaks. Perhaps it is the only language that connects hearts and souls across space and time. Despite the timeless appeal of music, people's preferences regarding this entertainment medium are ever-evolving. The kinds of songs that rose to fame two decades ago are completely incompatible with today's standards. Why have people's tastes changed so drastically? What do these changes say about the collective artistic sensibilities of the masses? A comprehensive analysis of popular music might be able to answer these questions.
Spotify and SoundCloud release streaming charts of music stats for every region. It is pertinent to note that these platforms are mostly used by the Gen-Z, often between the ages of 13 to 22. Therefore, glancing at the rankings can give valuable insight into what makes modern youth tick. According to Spotify, the following songs have bagged the most number of streams in Pakistan:
One Love by Shubh
1. Kahani Suno (Listen to My Story): 10,000,000+ streams; 2. Iraaday (Intentions): 9,497,446 streams; 3. No Love: 9,340,717 streams; 4. Summer High: 7,884,848 streams; 5. Samjho Na (Please Understand): 6,335,581 streams; 6. Mi Amor: 5,877,277 streams; 7. Cheques: 4,737,808 streams; 8. Ik Lamha (This Moment): 4,379,847 streams; 9. Tu Ha Kahan (Where Are You?): 2,675,669 streams; 10. One Love: 2,240,288 streams.
The numbers are volatile and keep fluctuating; however, the massive popularity of these hits can't be contested. On top of these songs, certain artists have surged to prominence as they continue to release hits after hits. Among these idolized musicians are Shubh, AP Dhillon, Abdul Hannan, Aditya Kumari and more.
The colossal admiration received by these songs certainly prompts one to reflect on what exactly makes them noteworthy. Upon thorough inspection, it can be concluded that almost all the top hits have a few things in common, except for a few outliers.
Ik Lamha by Azan Sami
The first feature that stands out is the presence of a catchy beat accompanied by snappy lyrics. Punjabi songs in particular, boast a memorable groove that strikes a chord with the listeners and urges them to tap along. Furthermore, the lyrics of most pop music are incredibly run-of-the-mill, often mulling on human emotions in a generic manner. This basic but raw style hits home with a lot of youngsters, although at the expense of polished songwriting.
Another fascinating facet of this dynamic is the mutualistic relationship between social media and modern music. A huge chunk of chart-toppers has been popularized by Instagram and TikTok edits. By pairing up certain songs with other forms of media like TV shows and music, creators can evoke a specific emotional response in the audience. This in-turn leads to a significant spike in the song's following as well. The potential for social media virality is a common thread among most musical blockbusters.
Bilal Abbas and Durefishan Saleem in Tera Mera Hai Pyar Amar
The music charts of the 90s and early 2000s present a stark contrast to those of the present age. The 90s were dynamic years in terms of music; with songs like "Chura Ke Dil Mera", "Ek Do Teen", "Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam", and " Dil To Pagal Ha" dominating the scene. The composition of these songs was dosed heavily with obtrusive music and long sequences of instrumentals. However, it was also the last decade boasting skilful songwriting and substantial lyrics.
In the 2000s, music artists veered away from the conspicuous musical tracks and shifted their focus to creating romantic melodies along with sprightly dance songs. The chart-topping hits of this era include masterpieces like "Tere Hath Mein", " Ankhon Mein Teri", "Mitwa", "Dola Re Dola", "Kal Ho Na Ho", " Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna", "Tere Naina", "Tum Hi Ho", " Zaroori Tha" and many others.
Kaifi Khalil in Kahani Suno
The glaring point of distinction between these and the current music trends is the dissemination of songs. In this day and age, independent composers are gaining higher traction than film oriented music. Individual creators like Shubh, Darshan Raval and Kaifi Khalil have taken the internet by storm with their self-produced music videos released on YouTube. Social media has unveiled unprecedented opportunities for autonomous makers of music. In comparison, the previous decades were eclipsed by the rise of popular songs belonging to blockbuster movies of the time. This novel advancement is a remarkable bounty for novices, and small-scale singers with scarce affluence.
The answer to this question is highly subjective. That being said, the facts lay out a captivating argument. The stylistic choices made by music producers have regressed considerably in the past few years. It especially reflects in their mundane lyrics that are contrived at best and meaningless at worst. Songwriters invest little to no effort in perfecting the poetic harmony of the lines. Instead, lyrics have simply become verbal tools to complement the beat. Even evocative songs that attempt to emote are incredibly bland, with subpar poetry that sounds like a monotone and plain description of the author's feelings.
Moreover, the emphasis placed on the inception of original compositions has also dwindled. Everyone seems to be embroiled in the rat race of going "viral", thus leading to the invention of groovy music that often compromises the objective quality of the song. This isn't true for every Gen-Z song out there, but it does hold for the majority of tunes being streamed by millions of people. In a nutshell, it seems like the young adults place more value in hook-laden beats and superficial relatability rather than genuine emotional connectivity.
Pardes Katenda by Adnan Dhool
Not exactly! Even when tasteless music rules the roost, an actual jewel in the crown does make an appearance here and there. Quite a few teens have displayed annoyance at vapid music trends, and have instead turned to old-school ghazals. Creators seem to have caught on to the slight shift, because in the past few months, some groundbreaking songs have been released. These songs are reminiscent to the glorious art of the past, and Gen-Z appears to have taken well to them. Examples include "Tera Mera Ha Pyar Amar", " Pardes Katenda", and "Tu Jhoom". Hope is grim, but it is certainly present!
All things considered, it can be predicted that in the coming years, emerging creators might choose to invest their talent in the pursuit of more evolved music.
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