music
Trash Hits! Why a Wave of Hedonistic, Feral Female Pop Stars Are Rejecting Respectability
In a collapsing world, artists like Slayyyter and Cobrah are chasing extreme highs with hyperactive music and debauched lyrics. Is their trashy vibe emancipating – or a bit contrived?
TL;DR
- A new wave of female pop stars is embracing 'trash-pop,' featuring hedonistic lyrics and a rejection of traditional respectability.
- Artists like Slayyyter, Kim Petras, and Kesha are channeling influences from early 00s electroclash and a post-lockdown nihilism.
- This trend offers a cathartic outlet for frustration and anger, particularly for women and queer individuals.
- The 'trashy' aesthetic is a reclamation of mid-00s culture and figures like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
- Major labels are capitalizing on the profitability of this archetype, with artists finding commercial success.
- The sound draws inspiration from 'indie sleaze,' hyperactive EDM, and aggressive, maximalist production.