Return Of The Guitar: Halsey, 5 Seconds of Summer, Joji

Switched on Pop

In 2019 guitar made a comeback in the top 10. According to analysis from Hit Songs Deconstructed, about a third of all songs featured the electric guitar, a nearly 10% jump from the year before. In 2020 this trend isn’t stopping. Recent releases by Halsey, 5 Seconds of Summer and Joji all prominently feature electric guitars tones. They reference 90s nu-metal, grunge and metal genres. More than a nostalgic nod, these songs draw from an era that was self-consciously “alternative” to convey disaffection, frustration and longing.

SONGS DISCUSSED

• Khalid, Normani - Love Lies
• Juice WRLD - Lucid Dreams
• Halsey - Without Me
• Joji - Slow Dancing In The Dark
• Joji - Run
• Metallica - Enter Sandman
• Santo & Jonny - Sleep Walk
• Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
• Buddy Holly - That’ll Be The Day
• LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge
• 5 Seconds Of Summer - No Shame
• Nirvana - Come As You Are
• Halsey - Experiment On Me
• Rage Against The Machine - Bulls On Parade
• Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff

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