Am I a Pop Girlie Now? Rediscovering a Resurrected Genre

Katy Perry, Kesha, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and 1D. 10 year-old Hannah's quintessential artist rotation. At a glance, I think how much of a different music taste I now have in my twenties. But then, when I take a step back, do I really?

Growing Pains

The pop genre got me through those early, early stages of tweenager. First crushes, growth spurts and awkward interactions were all accompanied with the "Midnight Memories" CD I bought at Rue 21. I believe it is almost a rite of passage, in a way, that we latch on to the pop genre at such a developmental stage. Upbeat songs that explicitly layout such complicated emotions - it makes a growing girl feeling as if she's being understood for the very first time.

But alas, as we grow, I think we stray away from some of the things that made us who we are. For me, I have recently discovered one of those things to be the pop genre of music. Throughout my teenage years, and really my early twenties so far, I have committed to this idea of being the "cool indie girl." You know the beat: walking down the hallway or across campus with Clairo, Wallows or Boygenius in your headphones. It makes a girl feel untouchable, exclusive in a way. It provides that edge of "oh, yeah, what I listen to is just sooooo underground." And let me also emphasize this by saying that Clairo, Wallows and Boygenius are STILL three of my favorite artists.

I think I got so stuck in this loop of wanting to be so "different" that I lost touch with the connectivity that is pop music. Techno beats and intricate guitar riffs are fun, but sometimes they can't beat a dance-around-your-room pop melody with lyrics that say EXACTLY what you're feeling, even when you can't even put it into words yourself.

Pop is, like, so back

All of this, of course, goes without saying that the pop genre is certainly going through a resurrection; I would even argue a renaissance. It's a collection of new artists who are making waves joined by legacy singers who are constantly evolving their sound.

As a little girl who grew up on Ms. Swift in her country era, I vividly remember how her pivot to pop with 1989 was met with so many mixed feelings (a discussion of this could be its own post in itself). So many people were upset, saying she wouldn't fit into the genre. Isn't it comical, in a way, how wrong they were?

Although Taylor Swift has always been a constant for me, it is these artists who have continued to revolutionize the genre that have guided back to it. I finally got to see Miley Cyrus win a Grammy. Selena Gomez just released a new album, and I find myself listening to Ariana Grande on repeat. Isn't it wonderful that these voices, ones who used to sing me to sleep or through my broken hearted tears, are now cheering me on through early adulthood?

To celebrate this, it feels only appropriate to share some of the albums that have made me a self-proclaimed Pop Girlie once again. Give 'em a spin!

My Current Must-Listen Pop Albums

In no particular order, of course!

eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead - Ariana Grande

Although I thought eternal sunshine was incredible when it was first released, the deluxe tracks solidified it as one of my top pop albums. No words, just absolutely incredible.

Top Tracks: twilight zone, warm, into (end of the world) - extended

Melodrama - Lorde

To be totally honest, this album has absolutely NEVER left my rotation since it's release, but I feel that every year I connect with a new song from it. It's the album that just keeps on giving!

Top Tracks: Supercut, Green Light, Perfect Places

The Secret of Us - Gracie Abrams

It took me a minute to get on the Gracie Abrams train, but I now consider myself the conductor. Man, oh man, does she know how to write about the most raw, acute or deep feelings in such a lovely way.

Top Tracks: That's So True, Risk, Close To You

Short n' Sweet (Deluxe) - Sabrina Carpenter

I have always been such a huge admirer of Sabrina, and I have loved seeing her get so much well-deserved praise for Short n' Sweet. Similar to eternal sunshine, I will have to say that the deluxe tracks are most definitely my favorite on this album.

Top Tracks: 15 Minutes, Busy Woman, Slim Pickins

I Said I Love You First... - Selena Gomez & benny blanco

I could go on and on and on with how happy I am for Selena. What a privilege it has been to grow up with such a wonderful role model like her, and her releasing this album with her FIANCE is just the most precious thing! And it rocks!

Top Tracks: Bluest Flame, Call Me When You Break Up, Do You Wanna Be Perfect

Something to Give Each Other - Troye Sivan

I LOVE TROYE! I have been listening to him for what feels like forever, and I love to see him finally getting his flowers. I adore his recent team ups with Charlie XCX, but I really think this album of his is just absolutely hit after hit.

Top Tracks: Rush, Got Me Started, One Of Your Girls

Midnights - Taylor Swift

Would you believe that this, for a good while, was my least favorite Taylor Swift album? I found so much connectivity to

it in the last year, especially during my last semester of college. She really said "feeling every emotion ever? I have you covered."

Top Tracks: Mastermind, Labyrinth, Bejeweled