Jan
18th
Wed
18th
The head-spinning end result is an indie-rock world that feels like a place where fitting in is more valued than standing out. Chillwave and its electro-pop cousins—easily digestible, rooted in collective memory and experiences, lo-fi enough to mask amateurishness—were tailor-made for the job, capturing mood and vibe and, by extension, providing a ready-made soundtrack for listeners. The resulting pattern of looking over one’s shoulder for approval while attempting to embrace an artist as early as possible doesn’t foster a healthy creative environment but one dominated by conservative choices, where the familiar (or easily understood) trump the bold and the brave. Ruptures in expectations, risks, and singular artists who defy categorization are suppressed if the overarching motivation of the audience is a fear of looking foolish.
—
Confuse the Market: Post-Crossover, Indie Retreats
Scott Plagenhoef is ruthlessly on point in his Village Voice Pazz & Jop essay, particularly in this paragraph where he perfectly articulates something I’ve been trying to say since, like, 2005.
