When we think of early 2010s music, we think of upbeat electropop like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Kesha, etc. I looked over the Billboard charts and I've seen a lot of songs that aren't electropop charted very high. There are other genres from that time doing really well.

Rolling In The Deep - Adele really took over 2011 and early 2012. This song was the #1 song of 2011.
Pumped Up Kicks - An Indie Rock song
Somebody That I Used To Know & We Are Young - Both Indie Pop songs that are in the top 3 songs 2012.
Party Rock Anthem - An EDM flavored song
Harlem Shake - An EDM Trap song
We Found Love & Titanium- Both Progressive House songs
Black & Yellow - A rap song that went to #1.
Rack City - A DJ Mustard song that sounds like it could be popular in 2014.
Grenade & Just The Way You Are - Both mid-tempo R&B inspired pop songs.

What I'm trying to say is that electropop is not the only popular genre in the early 2010s, other genres have been doing good in the time. Another point I want to make is that some people exaggerate the difference between early and mid 2010s music when really they aren't that different. There are some differences but not different in the way like foreign countries but rather different states. Both early and mid 2010s are pop-dominated. 2016 had a bigger shift in music than 2013 imo. Not trying to bring anyone down, I'm just stating my opinion.

When we think of early 2010s music, we think of upbeat electropop like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Kesha, etc. I looked over the Billboard charts and I've seen a lot of songs that aren't electropop charted very high. There are other genres from that time doing really well.

Rolling In The Deep - Adele really took over 2011 and early 2012. This song was the #1 song of 2011.
Pumped Up Kicks - An Indie Rock song
Somebody That I Used To Know & We Are Young - Both Indie Pop songs that are in the top 3 songs 2012.
Party Rock Anthem - An EDM flavored song
Harlem Shake - An EDM Trap song
We Found Love & Titanium- Both Progressive House songs
Black & Yellow - A rap song that went to #1.
Rack City - A DJ Mustard song that sounds like it could be popular in 2014.
Grenade & Just The Way You Are - Both mid-tempo R&B inspired pop songs.

What I'm trying to say is that electropop is not the only popular genre in the early 2010s, other genres have been doing good in the time. Another point I want to make is that some people exaggerate the difference between early and mid 2010s music when really they aren't that different. There are some differences but not different in the way like foreign countries but rather different states. Both early and mid 2010s are pop-dominated. 2016 had a bigger shift in music than 2013 imo. Not trying to bring anyone down, I'm just stating my opinion.


Electropop to the early '10s is what teen pop was to the Y2K era and what disco was to the late 1970s.  It wasn't the dominant or even most popular genre but it is very distinctive to the era with it's short-lived but intense popularity.  I agree that overall 2016 had a bigger musical shift than 2013, but we still don't have an era-defining genre like electropop was from 2009 through 2012.

Electropop to the early '10s is what teen pop was to the Y2K era and what disco was to the late 1970s.  It wasn't the dominant or even most popular genre but it is very distinctive to the era with it's short-lived but intense popularity.  I agree that overall 2016 had a bigger musical shift than 2013, but we still don't have an era-defining genre like electropop was from 2009 through 2012.


I know electropop was unique to the early 2010s but I'm just trying to point out that other genres are doing just as well as electropop. I mean 2011, the quintessential early 2010s year, has Adeles "Rolling In The Deep" as the #1 song of the year.

I know electropop was unique to the early 2010s but I'm just trying to point out that other genres are doing just as well as electropop. I mean 2011, the quintessential early 2010s year, has Adeles "Rolling In The Deep" as the #1 song of the year.


I don't disagree.  However I would say electropop peaked in 2010, not 2011.  It was still big in 2011 but not as much as in 2009 and 2010.  Just compare the year end charts for all three years.  2012 was the last year electropop was big at all and by the time we got to 2013 (especially the second half) it was on life support.

I don't disagree.  However I would say electropop peaked in 2010, not 2011.  It was still big in 2011 but not as much as in 2009 and 2010.  Just compare the year end charts for all three years.  2012 was the last year electropop was big at all and by the time we got to 2013 (especially the second half) it was on life support.


Well, Ariana Grande did sort of kept electropop on life support during the mid-2010s(Break Free, Into You) but it sounds different from the early 2010s style. I agree with your point that the mid-2010s doesn't have a defined genre to represent the era like the mid-60s with the British Invasion and mid-90s with Britpop. I guess it's upbeat pop that isn't electro? Late 2010s music is more rap dominated and 2010-2016 was pop dominated.

Electropop to the early '10s is what teen pop was to the Y2K era and what disco was to the late 1970s.  It wasn't the dominant or even most popular genre but it is very distinctive to the era with it's short-lived but intense popularity.  I agree that overall 2016 had a bigger musical shift than 2013, but we still don't have an era-defining genre like electropop was from 2009 through 2012.


Disco: 1976-1979 (ended with Disco Demolition Night)
Teen pop: 1998-2001 (ended with 9/11 and teen pop stars moving to more adult and urban sounds)
Electropop: 2009-2012 (ended as it slowly faded away and got replaced with the hipster stuff)

If my date ranges are wrong, please correct them.

Well, Ariana Grande did sort of kept electropop on life support during the mid-2010s(Break Free, Into You) but it sounds different from the early 2010s style. I agree with your point that the mid-2010s doesn't have a defined genre to represent the era like the mid-60s with the British Invasion and mid-90s with Britpop. I guess it's upbeat pop that isn't electro? Late 2010s music is more rap dominated and 2010-2016 was pop dominated.


2012/2013-2016 was like a neo-teen pop age. It was kind of like Gen Z's equivalent of the late 90's/early 2000's teen pop age.

I believe that 1D, The Wanted, 5SOS, Taylor Swift, etc were all popular in the teen market at that time.

Well, Ariana Grande did sort of kept electropop on life support during the mid-2010s(Break Free, Into You) but it sounds different from the early 2010s style. I agree with your point that the mid-2010s doesn't have a defined genre to represent the era like the mid-60s with the British Invasion and mid-90s with Britpop. I guess it's upbeat pop that isn't electro? Late 2010s music is more rap dominated and 2010-2016 was pop dominated.


I agree early Ariana Grande does have electropop influences.  I always thought Break Free sounded a lot like a Ke$ha song.  In hindsight, I think the decline of electropop began in 2011.  It was still huge that year but not as big as it was in 2009 and 2010.  2012 was like the last hurrah of the genre and then 2013 saw it fade away over the course of the year.  I would say the final traces were gone sometime in 2014.  I think ARTPOP had a hit in 2014, G.U.Y., which is very much a classic Gaga song.  That is a song that probably would have been much bigger had it come out in 2011.

I agree early Ariana Grande does have electropop influences.  I always thought Break Free sounded a lot like a Ke$ha song.  In hindsight, I think the decline of electropop began in 2011.  It was still huge that year but not as big as it was in 2009 and 2010.  2012 was like the last hurrah of the genre and then 2013 saw it fade away over the course of the year.  I would say the final traces were gone sometime in 2014.  I think ARTPOP had a hit in 2014, G.U.Y., which is very much a classic Gaga song.  That is a song that probably would have been much bigger had it come out in 2011.

I agree that the final traces of electropop occurred in around mid-late 2014. Break Free came out in July and still was in the top 40 by late 2014. Blank Space has electropop too but it seems somewhat different compared to a typical Kesha or a Lady Gaga song. Don’t forget that a Charil xcx song came out in 2014 that had electropop too and it was too in the top 40.

There's nothing "pop" about ROlling In The Deep. It's a heartbreaking song and not even electro enough to be considered dance.  This is off topic. 

There's nothing "pop" about ROlling In The Deep. It's a heartbreaking song and not even electro enough to be considered dance.  This is off topic.


That's the point I want to make. Early 2010s music is NOT only dominated by electropop. I'm saying other genres were also dominating in the early 2010s like Adeles style music.

That's the point I want to make. Early 2010s music is NOT only dominated by electropop. I'm saying other genres were also dominating in the early 2010s like Adeles style music.


I was agreeing with you, Mac98.  Electropop is dominating.  Even Rolling In the Deep, heavily influenced by it.

I was agreeing with you, Mac98.  Electropop is dominating.  Even Rolling In the Deep, heavily influenced by it.


Whoops, sorry about that.

Whoops, sorry about that.


It’s quite alright. The dance mix will win

Electropop to the early '10s is what teen pop was to the Y2K era and what disco was to the late 1970s.  It wasn't the dominant or even most popular genre but it is very distinctive to the era with it's short-lived but intense popularity.  I agree that overall 2016 had a bigger musical shift than 2013, but we still don't have an era-defining genre like electropop was from 2009 through 2012.



Electropop was dominant in the early 2010s

Disco: 1976-1979 (ended with Disco Demolition Night)
Teen pop: 1998-2001 (ended with 9/11 and teen pop stars moving to more adult and urban sounds)
Electropop: 2009-2012 (ended as it slowly faded away and got replaced with the hipster stuff)

If my date ranges are wrong, please correct them.


Teen pop  faded away in the late summer of 2001, but 9/11 can be a good point that sounder better to end it out

Disco: 1976-1979 (ended with Disco Demolition Night)
Teen pop: 1998-2001 (ended with 9/11 and teen pop stars moving to more adult and urban sounds)
Electropop: 2009-2012 (ended as it slowly faded away and got replaced with the hipster stuff)

If my date ranges are wrong, please correct them.


I would say 2013 was the last year for electropop. Even if it's not a lot but there are some traces left.

I still wondering what kind of shift happened in 2016 people talking on here keep talking about. To me it was more or less a continuation of 2015 styles in a generally even slower fashion. And if anything 2015 was a bigger shift since the ubiquity of Trap was pretty clear by then with the likes of Fetty Wap, Rae Sremmurd, TheWeeknd and DJ Snake (and even Rihanna and her hit "Bitch Better Have My Money").

Just because Trump was elected doesn't necessarily mean it turned music on its head.

Of course. The early 2010s are my favorite part of the decade and it's most certainly not because of electropop or EDM.

I still wondering what kind of shift happened in 2016 people talking on here keep talking about. To me it was more or less a continuation of 2015 styles in a generally even slower fashion. And if anything 2015 was a bigger shift since the ubiquity of Trap was pretty clear by then with the likes of Fetty Wap, Rae Sremmurd, TheWeeknd and DJ Snake (and even Rihanna and her hit "Bitch Better Have My Money").

Just because Trump was elected doesn't necessarily mean it turned music on its head.



DONALD TRUMP the mood changed instantly
also late 2016 is when hipster was showing signs of fading

I still wondering what kind of shift happened in 2016 people talking on here keep talking about. To me it was more or less a continuation of 2015 styles in a generally even slower fashion. And if anything 2015 was a bigger shift since the ubiquity of Trap was pretty clear by then with the likes of Fetty Wap, Rae Sremmurd, TheWeeknd and DJ Snake (and even Rihanna and her hit "Bitch Better Have My Money").

Just because Trump was elected doesn't necessarily mean it turned music on its head.


I mean, music in 2016 didn't change completely, it showed signs of what is to become popular in the late 2010s. If I'm being honest, early 2017 had a much bigger change in music than late 2016. Calvin Harris abandoned his progressive house style, XXXTentacion got into the spotlight with Look At Me which gave more attention to Soundcloud, Kendrick Lamar's Damn album is the most trap flavored out of his entire discography, XO Tour Llif3 kickstarting emo rap, and Despacito giving more broader appeal of Latin pop. Trap in 2017-2018 sounds a bit different than trap in 2015-2016 because nowadays it's more lo-fi and less produced.

Would you agree that 2017 had a much bigger change in music than in 2016?

DONALD TRUMP the mood changed instantly
also late 2016 is when hipster was showing signs of fading
Back with these vibe/moods inanities? Absolutely and completely irrevalant to the discussion anyway.

I would say 2013 was the last year for electropop. Even if it's not a lot but there are some traces left.


I was trying to make four year intervals, but  I can see a little bit of your point, especially for early 2013.

Back with these vibe/moods inanities? Absolutely and completely irrevalant to the discussion anyway.

presidency can change the mood of music

One thing I remember about the early 10's is hip hop was almost non existent, except maybe Lil Wayne. Even R&B artists like Chris Brown and Usher had the David Guetta produced EDM beats. 2013 was when standalone rap was making a comeback.

I mean, music in 2016 didn't change completely, it showed signs of what is to become popular in the late 2010s. If I'm being honest, early 2017 had a much bigger change in music than late 2016. Calvin Harris abandoned his progressive house style, XXXTentacion got into the spotlight with Look At Me which gave more attention to Soundcloud, Kendrick Lamar's Damn album is the most trap flavored out of his entire discography, XO Tour Llif3 kickstarting emo rap, and Despacito giving more broader appeal of Latin pop. Trap in 2017-2018 sounds a bit different than trap in 2015-2016 because nowadays it's more lo-fi and less produced.

Would you agree that 2017 had a much bigger change in music than in 2016?


I didn't even know what emo rap was until XXXTentacion's death.

I'm probably living under a rock.

presidency can change the mood of music
We're talking here about musicianship, production-values and trends, not moods or vibes.

We're talking here about musicianship, production-values and trends, not moods or vibes.


Honestly, early 2017 is when music trends starting to change.

I'll probably make a thread about this on why early 2017 has more change in music than late 2016.

Honestly, early 2017 is when music trends starting to change.

I'll probably make a thread about this on why early 2017 has more change in music than late 2016.


I agree with this.  Musically, the first half of 2017 still felt very mid '10s.  I remember remarking on this board back then how it felt like so little had changed since 2013.  One of the biggest songs of early 2017, "Something Just Like This" by the Chainsmokers is about as stereotypical mid '10s as you can get.  The one unique thing that 2016 did bring to the table was dancehall.  It was a short-lived fad that was pretty much exclusive to 2016.

It was a short-lived fad that was pretty much exclusive to 2016.
2017 kind of still continued that trend, since you can hear Dancehall influences on "Shape of You" and "New Rules".

But I agree, 2016 really didn't see much of a shift at all, both 2015 and 2017 were much more changing in comparison.

We're talking here about musicianship, production-values and trends, not moods or vibes.


production values can change with moods......
and r&b song can sound dark or upbeat based on the mood