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“I CAN’T SEEM TO FIND SOMEONE’S SHOULDER, WHO WILL I RELY ON WHEN IT’S OVER?” ALONE PART 3 BY XXXTENTACION.
Alternative Hip Hop. Emo Pop. Indie Grunge. SoundCloud Rap. These genres of music have been the culmination and explosion of the new wave of artists that have overtaken the youth music scene in the last five years. There has always been a collective of artists who have challenged the boundaries of music - iconic rulebreakers include: The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Nirvana, AC/DC and Oasis - but now the alternative band has been remoulded into artists who strive to find an understanding and acceptance of changing mental health within society. They form lyrics that let the individual explore their understanding of themselves through their own interpretation of the words. Each artist is an individual facing their own demons, but those same demons are also being faced and conquered by millions of other people around the world, thus explaining their extremely large fan base.
“When we all fall asleep, where do we go?” BURY A FRIEND BY BILLIE EILISH. Their lyrics are passionate, raw and emotional, yet ring true as an exploration of oneself to thousands of people. These shared emotions, between musician and listener, are what bring such power to each song. Fans gain help from their own inner turmoil with
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the realisation that even those heralded in the media and society face the same struggles as they do. One could even argue that these artists are changing the face of mental health branding. Billie Eilish, Twenty Øne Piløts, XXXTentacion, Post Malone and Grimes have all gained a following for their music, yet their lyrics present an insight into their darkest battles with mental health, that resonate with many teenagers, and touch on delicate issues such as depression and anxiety. It is not about making a “hit” anymore, to these artists they are baring themselves open to the world in order to release even a fraction of the pain they have felt. Each artist harnesses the power of truth and life in these moments. As perceptions surrounding mental health are changing, teenagers and young adults are being swept up in these deep, emotional and raw songs of the new wave of artists.
“Sometimes the quiet is violent” CAR RADIO BY TWENTY ØNE PILØTS. Fans of this new generation of artists are faced with love and support by all. An example for this is the Twenty Øne Piløts fanclub, “The Skeleton Clique”. Members regularly discuss their battles with anxiety and depression openly on fan forums, but with the full love and support of their fellow fans and even their motto: “Stay strong, Live on, Stay alive.” Not only are there hundreds of comments on these forums, with song lyrics, encouraging words and pictures, but strangers bearing their hearts wide open in online posts. The raw emotions portrayed in a forum post lead to the feel of a community and a family, resonating with complete
