The Scene
The U.S. music charts are currently buzzing with a wave of songs best described as “tradpop” hits, marking a significant cultural shift in the music landscape. Recently, Billboard reported that the No. 1 song in the country now belongs to Alex Warren, whose folk-inspired ballad about faith and love resonates deeply with listeners. Meanwhile, country-pop sensation Morgan Wallen has held the top spot on the album charts for five consecutive weeks, showcasing the growing dominance of more traditional styles in popular music.
This dramatic shift is in stark contrast to last summer’s vibrant musical climate, defined by the rise of audacious female pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Charli XCX. Their bold and often boundary-pushing sounds celebrated a sense of liberation and defiance, aptly dubbed the “brat summer” trend, which even found support from high-profile figures like Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign.
Pop music commentator Sam Murphy notes the current landscape as feeling “far more safe, far more traditional, and far more conservative”—a sentiment that encapsulates the ongoing cultural transformation. Artists like Wallen, who faced significant backlash in 2021 after being dropped from radio airwaves for using a racial slur, now dominate the charts with multiple songs in the top 10. Emerging talents like Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, known for their emotive, guitar-heavy tunes, are also gaining traction, while Lady Gaga’s recent collaboration with Bruno Mars proves more commercially successful than her earlier experimental work.
Christian music is experiencing its own resurgence, indicating a broader acceptance of faith-infused themes in mainstream pop. This shift reflects a societal tendency toward conservatism, which many attribute to the political re-emergence of figures like Donald Trump. The resonance of conservative ideals within entertainment has been noted by various commentators, including The Wall Street Journal, who emphasize how such displays are increasingly crowding out progressive narratives.
Warren’s chart-topping track, although devoid of overt political messages, gained viral popularity as it became a staple in wedding ceremonies. Dubbed the “New No. 1 Wife Guy,” the song aligns with the "tradwife trend," a movement advocating for the embrace of traditional marriage and family values. This perspective finds support among many conservative voices in media and politics, further solidifying the cultural narrative that favors a return to conservative ideals.
Interesting developments were noted at a recent Turning Point USA conference aimed at young female audiences. Speakers encouraged attendees to prioritize traditional roles, promoting marriage and motherhood over higher education—a sentiment that underscores the societal shift toward these conventional ideals. One influencer captured the essence of this movement succinctly: “Conservatism is selling sexy in all aspects. We pop culture now.”
Room for Disagreement
Despite the emergence of this “tradpop” phenomenon, the Billboard Top 10 is not uniformly characterized by traditional sounds. Other artists continue to push boundaries, with fresh experimental tracks making their way to mainstream recognition. Notable figures like Sabrina Carpenter and Addison Rae, alongside an array of K-pop artists, exhibit a diverse range of musical styles that defy the prevailing trend.
Beyoncé’s evolving Cowboy Carter Tour presents a stark contrast to the conservative wave, offering a reimagined take on country music rooted in a progressive and inclusive narrative. Early in her performance, Beyoncé juxtaposes her vibrant sound with the empowering anthem from Kamala Harris’ campaign, signaling a reclaiming of country music that resonates with a diverse audience.
The fan base for country music has also become more varied, transcending simplistic notions of conservative politics and cultural dynamics. Tressie McMillan Cottom from the New York Times articulates this change, noting that the ongoing debates about identity and belonging in America coincide with the evolving musical landscape.
Notable
The music styles of artists like Alex Warren, Teddy Swims, and Benson Boone evoke feelings of nostalgia and familiarity, often described as “audition songs for The Voice” due to their stripped-down production and soaring vocals. This highlights a trend towards emotive storytelling that resonates deeply with listeners.
Shifting cultural narratives also include the rise of young conservative women who are creating alternative spaces in the predominantly male-dominated right-wing podcasting sphere, as discussed by Semafor’s Max Tani. These voices aim to cater to a female audience, offering perspectives rooted in conservative social and cultural values.
As the music landscape continues to evolve, it reflects broader societal changes, revealing the complexities of contemporary pop culture and its entwinement with politics and identity.
