What is Girly Pop and why is it dominating the music industry right now?
The past year has seen a new genre steal the show. Girly Pop has dominated radio channels, streaming platforms, award shows and the industry as a whole. The world seems to be infatuated with female popstars and their relatable, fun and honest music.
Artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams shot into stardom during 2024, and their authentic and open lyrics seem to be key to attracting millions of fans across the world. Modern music has witnessed wave after wave of pop stars, but Girly Pop has taken centre stage in the last year. From the performers to the winners, female artists dominated the most recent Grammys, an indication of the historic year we just witnessed.
By no means is this anything new, Beyonce and Rhianna have been dominating the pop charts for more than a decade but why does it seem that this new subgenre of raw female energy is stealing the show?
It’s what we need right now. The world is in a scary place and, given the current political climate, we need music that is fun and a pleasure to listen to. People across the globe resonate with the fun, honesty and female empowerment that these artists of Girly Pop ooze
This kind of music really speaks to its audience. The lyrics found in Girly Pop songs are so relatable because they often address the complexities of life whether it be relationships, growing up or how you perceive yourself. These very personal issues are okay to deal with and are very real, these songs reassure us of this. Chappell Roan’s lyrics often address the intricacies of intimate relationships, they are on the nose and have no regard for social judgement. The chorus to ‘Casual’ directly and honestly speaks about how difficult and confusing casual sex can become. Roan sings:
“Knee-deep in the passenger seat and you’re eating me out
Is it casual now?
Two weeks and your mom invites me to her house in Long Beach
Is it casual now?
I know what you tell your friends
It’s casual, if it’s casual now
Then baby, get me off again
If it’s casual, it’s casual now”.
Many of Olivia Rodrigo’s songs describe her feelings regarding the behaviour of ex-partners and break ups. The chorus of ‘Traitor’ recalls a boyfriend moving on suspiciously quickly after their relationship.
“It took you two weeks to go off and date her
Guess you didn’t cheat but you’re still a traitor”.
Although it’s questionable whether Charli XCX’s incredible album BRAT comes under the Girly Pop subgenre, the cultural phenomenon created by ‘BRAT summer’ and the entire campaign of the record most definitely laid the groundwork for this breath-taking movement in music. The attitude and brashness of BRAT resonated so incredibly well with young women because the freedom to express yourself however you damn like is so important.
Despite BRAT being dance music rather than Girly Pop, the cultural reset brought on by the album paved the way for artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Gracie Abrams to perform so well in the charts. The charisma and star power of these artists is a huge part of why the genre has made such an impact.
Every one of these artists has such a distinct style and their entire brand feels incredibly authentic. Major pop artists often seem to have quite a formulaic image but this era has changed that. Sabrina Carpenter’s often sexual lyrics and sense of humour are a great demonstration of the honesty of these artists.
In her song ‘Slim Pickens’ she sings:
“This boy doesn't even know the difference between there, their, and they are,
Yet he’s naked in my room”.
In Juno, she sings:
“Hold me and explore me (Ah-ah), I'm so fuckin' horny”.
Many female artists, particularly Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan have a distinct style which derives from their individual self-expression and personal history rather than being a premeditated attempt at fame.
Roan is a drag queen and Carpenter playfully evokes the 1950’s housewife stereo-type.
Their bold characters represent two marginalised groups and reformulate them as symbols of female empowerment. Both express themselves wholeheartedly through distinct pre-existing images which they make their own.
The world needs icons that are fun, authentic and that create music that resonates this vital energy. Incredibly talented female artists are the ones that have taken the reins and are doing exactly that. Girly Pop in all its eccentric glory has been at the forefront of this unapologetic and majestic stance of empowerment.