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Not as new, but synthwave https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthwave is a recent genre that has been gaining in popularity. Back before the complete consolidation of radio after the Telecommunications Act of 1996, there were a lot of local DJs who would find bands and promote them. The genres that were part of "popular" music changed over the decades. Now, on the other hand, if you turn on the radio, the music sounds roughly the same as it did 20 years ago.

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> Now, on the other hand, if you turn on the radio, the music sounds roughly the same as it did 20 years ago.

Twenty years ago rock was a living genre instead of something on life support from old geezers and rap and hip hop weren’t default music, rock was. Country has also gotten way less Christian and again, much more rap and hip hop influenced. If you listen to a years worth put number ones from 2002 it does not sound like 2022. The difference isn’t as great as 1960-1980 but “roughly the same” it is not.

Radio country ('that Nashville sound') is not for me. Everyone has their own tastes, for sure, but radio country is not mine.

The bro-country that has evolved (an iota) into the snaptrack country is basically unchanged since ~2012. The hick-hop influences are much different than Garth and the other 90's influences, of course, but they are unchanging mostly. For example: both Kasey and Taylor got their start in that sound (kinda), but quickly moved on.

For me, internet streaming saved country. The neo-rebel country you can find online is much better than the radio, to me at least. Acid-country, IPA country, Texas music, whatever the hell John Prine is, etc. are all online now and at shows (were, hopefully we can get shows back again). Granted, it's not as profitable (cheap and fast).

The Nashville Sound has been, is, and will be the same: ca-ching, ca-ching, ca-ching.

As for rock, I'm glad that it's been left behind. We're starting to get really good rock again as people looking for a buck have left and the enthusiasts have stuck around. At least, that's my feeling. Rock, as well, is splintering, but in a good way. It's become more international and those influences are fruitful. The artists are smaller, but the good ones that have made the digital transition have a deeper support network.

You speak truth. That’s all. Living in Oklahoma and Texas I learned many of the flavors - and it was a nice break from my hard rock days in the 90s and naughts.

the hip hop has changed too hasn't it?

I am no music buff and I do not follow the genre, but I feel 20 years ago sampling was much more relevant than it is today, while now it's mostly bum-chuck digital bases.

There have been some lyrical advances in novel combinations of the N-word, the F-word, and the B-word.

Glad it's making a comeback - basically 80's new wave making a comeback. Though I find a lot of the new stuff is cookie cutter, people just trying to recreate an exact Bladrunner/Outrun exact sound.

I make more of a new wave style sound - things like Thomas Dolby (she blinded me with science) and Gary Numan (cars), using synths to make something totally different. Hope this kind of creative stuff gets more popular.

My album: https://lostastronaut.ca

I think much of synthwave actually stems from Vaporwave which is probably the most interesting music phenomenon since hiphop imho.

Vaporwave - a brief history https://archive.org/details/Vaporwave-ABriefHistory

Also Chillwave, which has made a bit of a resurgence on the back of the fabulous outro track from the recent Unhinged movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_qE6RrkgJA

(Which, for those who don't recognise it, is a cover of a mid 70's Blue Oyster Cult song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy4HA3vUv2c )

An Art Bell bumper music classic; I enjoy the Chillwave version you've included. Thanks for sharing it

I recently discovered "Synthwave Metal". If you like synthwave and power metal, you might give it a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnd_h2GGtzU

In the RYM community we call this Shredwave: http://synthwavestyles.blogspot.com/2018/04/shredwave.html

My favourite album from that genre is Lazerhawk's debut album Redline, awesome for programming IMO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpDn4-Na5co

I wouldn't say 20 years but pop music has gotten extremely stale. The clubs/bars are playing the same exact songs since I moved here 5 years ago. Something is awfully wrong with the production line, or more so - people losing their ear?

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