Funk & Soul Resurgence: Is 2020s Music a Modern Day 1970s?
In this essay, I explore parallels to both the groundbreaking 1970s and advent of 80s synth-pop.
The 1970s represented a pioneering era for music marked by exceptional diversity and innovation across genres. Fueled by the political and social upheaval of the times and advancements enabling new forms of musical technology and experimentation, the decade gave rise to a kaleidoscopic range of groundbreaking sounds. From disco to punk, funk, glam rock, singer-songwriters and the early days of hip-hop , a vibrant, countercultural energy pushed musical boundaries. As I’ve analyzed in another article, Is Today’s Cinema on the Cusp of a New Hollywood Era, certain sociopolitical and cultural dynamics appear to catalyze artistic nostalgia and recreation.
Despite today’s frequent social media takes lamenting the homogenization of contemporary music, striking parallels can increasingly be drawn between the current musical landscape and that of the 1970s golden age. As we move later into the 2020s, a revival of the iconic, era-defining sounds of the 70s and 80s appears undeniable. The genre-blending spirit of musical innovation and rebellion from that period can again be widely heard today. From pop and R&B to global sensations, a fresh generation of artists are…
