MGUK: THE RISE OF AESTHETIC MUSIC
This article was written for Music Geeks UK Issue 2. Read the full issue here.
Artwork by Catherine Broadbent
Many of us have music that we like to put on in the background. Something nice but not too distracting, something that gives a chill vibe, or an atmospheric aura. For me, it’s a group of specific YouTube videos, one of which is called “Disney Oldies Playing from Another Room and it’s Raining.” Another one, which actually got me through my university dissertation, was “La Vie En Rose but You’re Dancing with That Person Under the Eiffel Tower.” And while writing this article, I am currently listening to “POV: You’re a Heartbroken Mermaid.”
Some of you might be severely confused by these choices of mine, and are beginning to wonder whether I’m even qualified to be writing for a music magazine. But I also assume that some of you will know exactly what I’m talking about.
There is a specific type of music emanating across platforms like YouTube and TikTok, which takes songs that you already know and edits them, adding in rain or car sounds in the background, and often alters the music so that it sounds as if it is coming from a radio, rather than your headphones. What specific edits are made depends on the intended mood, for example, “POV: You’re a Heartbroken Mermaid,” has melodic sea hymns play from a seemingly far distance, while waves crash alongside the music.
This genre, if one can call it a genre, does not appear to have an official name, but I like to call it “Aesthetic Music;” in that it takes a song and uses effects to specifically evoke a certain image, situation, or mood. And over the past few years, it has become increasingly popular. Many of these videos I have mentioned rack up millions of views on YouTube, and a big trend on TikTok is currently “POV” videos, in which the TikTok creator acts towards the camera while this type of music usually plays in the background. This music often accompanies favoured aesthetics on social media, such as Cottagecore or Dark Academia. Social media platforms like TikTok could be the reason why this genre has grown in popularity; younger demographics will always have an influence over culture. But I think there’s more to it.
We are stuck in an unfortunate time. A time where family and friends have passed away by the thousands and those of us left have been unable to see our remaining family and friends for months. News is rarely positive, and the world has been stuck in a hellish standstill for what feels like forever. With this culturally collective trauma, a longing for escapism has grown exponentially.
And this type of music provides just that. While I usually put my previously mentioned videos on as background noise, often I will sit and close my eyes, and just listen. I am no longer myself, but a heartbroken mermaid. A Disney character. A lover dancing next to the Eiffel tower. And suddenly life is so much easier. The closest feeling I can compare it to is when you listen to music on the bus or in a car, and imagine that you’re in a movie or music video. Because Aesthetic Music places you directly into the scene. And whatever feelings of hope or fear we have for the future; aesthetic music validates it. There’s an artistic beauty to our longing.
Music has always been used as a coping mechanism; it just tends to adapt to whichever need the current culture has. And this genre is a perfect fit for the 2020s. It is definitely a trend that I hope sticks around.