Pop music is moving into more mature territory. Finally! For far too long, it has been the stuff of throwaway sentiments and gimmicky music. But thanks to artists like AliveTeen, it is undergoing a bit of a transformation.
Okay, pop might not be the best term for what she does on the latest single, “Stop Telling,” given that the song is wrapped in squalling guitars and heavy bass rumbles, pounding beats, and anthemic vocals. But, despite such rock and roll moves, the song still ticks all the right pop boxes for infectiousness and accessibility, groove, and a sort of sassy, alt-dancefloor energy. If there is a thing as industrial-pop, then this is undoubtedly it. If there isn’t then AliveTenn has just invented it!
But it is the lyrical message that rises above the usual pop and even rock sentiments. If the former is usually throw away and shallow, the latter self-aggrandizing or overly earnest, “Stop Telling” is actually, well, important.
It is a song for the outsider, for those who distance themselves from the mainstream to retain their principles and integrity, who have no desire to play those silly games that society seems to demand, those who don’t wish to change who they are just to fit in—authenticity, it cries, above all things.
AliveTeen is pop for the new age, pop that is happy to cloak itself in other sounds and styles to achieve its ends, pop with a poignant and powerful message, pop with integrity. It’s about time!
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