Indie. Alternative. Two genres coming together in an explosive way to deliver the most influential, teen, superiority complex.
It's genres like these that are used heavily in 'coming of age' stories we view on movie screens, and our own unique adventures. They relate to us, not just with their lyrics, but their sounds. But why? What makes these genres special?
How do indie/alternative artists create the indescribable feeling of what 'living' truly is? And why do we keep coming back to it for more, even as we age out of our teen years and enter early adulthood?
Let's dive into the phenomenon of the 'Coming of Age' story and indie/alternative music!
On Spotify alone, there are over 400 playlists with the keyword, "main character," in the title, and countless more describing a "coming-of-age movie" experience. Among these playlists are current tracks by the likes of Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo, but more surprisingly, music dating back to the early '10s, specifically in the indie/alternative genres. What tracks, you ask?
"Somebody Else" by The 1975.
"Electric Love" by BØRNS.
"We Are Young" by FUN.
"Midnight City" by M83.
"Ribs" by Lorde.
Surrounding these pieces are more recent indie/alternative artists like Dayglow, WILLOW, COIN, and Still Woozy. These artists, though different, share a similar sound to those who came before them. The sound? Full of life.
When looking at my own playlists, I still listen to these tracks and artists because I have a deep personal attachment to them. In the age of Tumblr (circa 2012), these songs created a safe space for me to feel validated, as artists were finally singing about the difficulties of growing up in a way that wasn't cheesy or fake, but rather, real. There was something special about the way these tracks sounded, as well, that I didn't realize then, but I'm more aware of now. We will get to that in a second.
The most peculiar thing about the popularity of indie/alternative music amongst young teenagers nowadays is that, not only are they one of the more prominent age groups listening to this music, they are listening to the same tracks as I did 8 years ago.
It's not that they had a specific attachment to these tracks when they were released, as all of them came out before they finished elementary school, but perhaps, it all links to nostalgia (or a shared nostalgia). I'd like to think that teens still listen to hits like "Cigarette Daydreams" by Cage the Elephant not just because it is objectively a great song. I think there is something deeper happening here--perhaps, the shared collective of the experience of growing up.
If you think about it, these tracks have pushed some millennials and the older half of Gen Z through the hurdles of entering adulthood. They have served as soundtracks to our long road trips, as we move from another place or see a new part of the world with our friends; to a new love and all of the deep feelings that come with it; to our worst nights, where we think nobody understands what we are going through; and, of course, to all of the awkward moments in between. For many of us, indie/alternative hits helped life feel less mundane, as we finally felt that we were the main character in our own lives and universes. Perhaps, that explains the many Spotify playlists by the younger end of Gen Z that try and showcase this same feeling through indie/alternative music.
Perhaps, that's also why we come back to it, time and time again, as adults--partly for the nostalgia, but also, partly for the feeling that we are in control of our own lives again.
But what about the music itself? If we know the lyrics speak volumes to the unique experiences of growing up, what about the backing tracks, instrumentation, and even style of singing that make it so impactful? How do the elements work together to create the feelings that teenagers crave so deeply?
Let's use a few examples.
In "Midnight City" by M83, the entire track relies on electronic chords, heavy drums (with a rather simple drum beat), and a vocal ostinato (repeated phrase) to evoke a raw feeling of living. Lyrically, I'd be impressed if you actually knew what the artists were saying, as, to me, it just sounds like deep, yet beautiful mumbling. When I actually looked up the lyrics, they are incredibly simple, but their word choices make it strikingly popular amongst teens and young adults.
As the title suggests, the track is about a city at midnight. The singer describes 'neon signs', 'drinking in the lounge', and 'waiting in the car for a drive.' Additionally, M83 does something very interesting in how they approach the 'midnight city': they personify it. Toward the end of the piece, the city is described as a church, 'wrapping [the singer] in its blinding twilight.' In this way, the city is claiming the singer, and ultimately, the listener, creating a sense of belonging that so many teens lack in their teenage years. M83's vocal style also plays a key role in what makes this track truly special. The way they harmonize with each other's voices doesn't fit a typical harmonic pattern; instead, for many, it sounds a bit harsh, yet raw. These raw harmonies fit the realistic nature of living: raw, imperfect, and real. Fitting with the hype EDM-type backing track, you have yourself a traditional "highs and lows of living" phenomenon, which is the quintessential element of music written for "coming of age" teens.
In another song, "Cigarette Daydreams" by Cage the Elephant, the instrumentation is very simple. I actually recently learned the guitar chords on our family's guitar, and if that doesn't tell you how easy the chord progressions are in this song, I don't know what will! The instrumentation in this song features your typical garage band guitar, drums, and bass, alongside a single singer. From the start, the entire sound is raw and a bit hopeful, using the sharp, yet comforting, sound of an acoustic guitar as the frontrunner. In my opinion, the guitar here matches perfectly with the lyrical nature of this piece.
The lyrics speak about a dying relationship, in which the singer is trying to save. The two met in high school, it seems, as one person was 'only seventeen' when the other 'followed [them] into the hall' after they 'gathered [their] things' and 'slipped into away.' This seems to imply that, perhaps, one person was being made fun of, as the singer recognized that '[they] look[ed] out of place.' These experiences resonate with many teenagers, as most every student has felt out of place and like an outcast. Following the retelling of their story, the singer explains that the person is 'searching in the pouring rain' for a 'reason to stay' in the relationship.
The title, "Cigarette Daydreams," suggests that this relationship was one of addiction and there was no love there to begin with. The reference of 'looking out of place' leads me to believe that, perhaps, the two started dating in an effort to 'save' the other from feeling lost and out of place. In that way, it became addicting, like a cigarette, because the relationship was saving the parties from reality, like a daydream. These lyrics paired with the raw, yet hopeful, instrumentation reflect the raw emotions in the relationship, and the hope the singer has for the relationship to fix itself, though it seems as if it is too far gone. Sadly, this experience relates to many young teenagers as it reflects an unhealthy high school relationship, which one realizes is unhealthy when you begin to grow up.
More recent tracks reflect the same types of themes and musical elements featured in their older counterparts. WILLOW's "t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l" uses heavy rock paired with raspy singing tones to convey a sense of anger over two-faced people; "The King" by Sarah Kinsley uses dreamlike synthesizer and string chords to match the feeling of a strong love; and Dayglow's "Can I Call You Tonight?" underscores the possibility of a new love through whimsical guitar chords and echoing vocals. The continuation of strong teenage themes and youthful instrumentation leave indie/alternative tracks with a following of young teenage listeners who yearn for a sense of belonging and understanding in the world around them.
That is the power of indie/alternative music.
Peace.
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