From MGK to Olivia Rodrigo, pop-punk’s mainstream comeback is meeting America in the middle
When pandemic-era restrictions put a damper on full-fledged fun, it was no surprise people collectively craved cultural hallmarks from the the good old days. Now, beloved movies are being revamped for a younger generation, throwback TV series are hitting streaming services and era-defining fashion items are making a comeback. Similarly, the music industry has seen and felt an uptick in nostalgic energy and sounds, and the revitalization of the pop-punk style in particular has made its way into current cultural conversations.
“I think we are all in need of a cathartic experience right now, and pop-punk is a perfect channel for that, (especially) after the political and socio-economic hardships we’ve faced,” entertainment journalist Erica Campbell explains of the genre, which is categorized by a playful combination of bold, brash rock and youthful, bratty pop. “Straight pop isn’t really giving us that emotional breadth rock grants us.”
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