The Pop Girl Renaissance

By: María Díaz Guasp

Many argue the pop genre lost its personality a while back, but to their surprise, 2024 is showing us that today’s pop can transcend introspective lyrics over lackluster tracks. From the divas of the 80s-90s to the edgy reinventions of the 2000s pop star, this genre has always been about bringing hot girls around the world together through alluring melodies. The pop genre is interesting because it’s been bringing the Britney’s and the Madonna’s of the world together for the longest time (Me Against the Music, you will always be famous). Today, the clean-cut Sabrina Carpenter’s of the world and the sweaty Charli XCX club rats all have a soft spot for Chappell Roan. And we think that’s beautiful!

The genre has shifted to more vibrant, fun, and feminine anthems. Our new reigning pop stars are embracing crowded dancefloors and introspective songs with infectious beats that still let us dance the night away. The change is definitely attributed to a post-pandemic desire for escapism, moving away from authenticity and relatability towards risk, drama, and over the top productions – and we’re here for it. This new wave of pop is characterized by bold, maximalist, and theatrical elements, contrasting with the previously dominant trend of stripped-back, confessional music. Whether it’s the melodic stream of consciousness lyrics with a stimulating synth, or that we finally have our favorite artists on tracks over 120 bpm, pop found its groove again.

What sets these girls at the forefront of the 2020’s pop star conversation is their alternative flair. Usually, I cringe when people say something is "back" because it rarely equates to true reinvention. But that’s not the case in 2024. Take summer anthems like “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter and “Girl, So Confusing” by Charli XCX. Both tracks are introspective yet embody two distinct pop personas. Despite their differences, they both guide listeners into a more dramatic, high-quality, and avant-garde pop sound in the mainstream while maintaining the genre’s unabashedly feminine energy.

As we know, the pop genre has long been gay (I hope this isn’t news), and I’m glad we finally get anthems like “Good Luck, Babe” by Chappell Roan back in the charts. It’s the Chappell Roan’s of the world that are leading this pop reinvention — an unproblematic queer woman who pushes drag back into popular culture after the disgusting 2023 anti-drag campaigns, consistently turning looks, and seamlessly bringing back the fun and angst in pop music. (She really is your favorite artist’s favorite artist).

To the detractors of girly pop tracks, I hate to break it to you, but pop music—and the “pop star”—are making a glorious comeback. Reclaiming its place in the cultural zeitgeist, this resurgence celebrates individualism and pushes beyond the societal norms of pop. Whether you're finally understanding the clever play on words in “Red Wine Supernova” or dissecting the insane production behind Charli’s “Guess”, there’s no denying the standing influence and evolution of pop music in today’s charts. The genre is once again uniting every type of hot girl—be it the edgy club rat, the sweet girl-next-door, or the avant-garde trendsetter. Pop is back to embracing individualism and nonconformity, welcoming all expressions of femininity with open arms.