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BLINDED BY THE RETRO, What sound aesthetics reminiscent of the 1980’s reveal in the personas of The Weeknd and Charli XCX

Carvajal Hult, Alexander LU (2022) MUVK02 20212
Musicology
Abstract
This essay examines the effect of eighties synth-pop influences on modern day pop music production. The study analyzes retro aesthetics in the music of Charli XCX and The Weeknd, with the aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effect the 1980’s have on mainstream pop music. Synthesizers, drum-machines, rhythm, vocals, effects and timbre of these songs are analyzed to reveal how retro sound aesthetics work in conjunction with contemporary aesthetics. These aesthetics are then analyzed from the perspective of persona. The analysis of each artist’s persona reveals how sound aesthetics convey different messages and identities. Additionally, interviews and YouTube comments provide context through perceptions on The Weeknd’s and Charli XCX’s... (More)
This essay examines the effect of eighties synth-pop influences on modern day pop music production. The study analyzes retro aesthetics in the music of Charli XCX and The Weeknd, with the aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effect the 1980’s have on mainstream pop music. Synthesizers, drum-machines, rhythm, vocals, effects and timbre of these songs are analyzed to reveal how retro sound aesthetics work in conjunction with contemporary aesthetics. These aesthetics are then analyzed from the perspective of persona. The analysis of each artist’s persona reveals how sound aesthetics convey different messages and identities. Additionally, interviews and YouTube comments provide context through perceptions on The Weeknd’s and Charli XCX’s personas. This thesis aims to problematize the term retro and analyzes ways in which retro and contemporary influences work together in the creation of new music and personas. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Carvajal Hult, Alexander LU
supervisor
organization
course
MUVK02 20212
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Synth-Pop, Sound aesthetics, Persona, Retro, Contemporary
language
English
id
9075668
date added to LUP
2024-02-20 15:03:31
date last changed
2024-02-20 15:03:31
@misc{9075668,
  abstract     = {{This essay examines the effect of eighties synth-pop influences on modern day pop music production. The study analyzes retro aesthetics in the music of Charli XCX and The Weeknd, with the aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effect the 1980’s have on mainstream pop music. Synthesizers, drum-machines, rhythm, vocals, effects and timbre of these songs are analyzed to reveal how retro sound aesthetics work in conjunction with contemporary aesthetics. These aesthetics are then analyzed from the perspective of persona. The analysis of each artist’s persona reveals how sound aesthetics convey different messages and identities. Additionally, interviews and YouTube comments provide context through perceptions on The Weeknd’s and Charli XCX’s personas. This thesis aims to problematize the term retro and analyzes ways in which retro and contemporary influences work together in the creation of new music and personas.}},
  author       = {{Carvajal Hult, Alexander}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{BLINDED BY THE RETRO, What sound aesthetics reminiscent of the 1980’s reveal in the personas of The Weeknd and Charli XCX}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}