Music and Postmodernism

Pick 'n' Mix culture: the past, or distant and exotic cultures, are a) detached from their

environment and b) used selectively to anchor the chaotic images of modern European

and American life (Elvis Presley's 'It's Now or Never/O Sole Mio'; Gregorian chants in the

Top Ten) A modern example would include artists such as Lady Gaga, MIA, Madeon and

Active Child.

My example of Pick 'N' Mix culture would be Belle by Jack Johnson as it has the style, lyrics and language straight from French culture whilst encompassing the often chaotic problem of relationships.

Intertextuality: The preference for parody, nostalgia, kitsch and pastiche over realism 

My example of a song with a preference for parody and nostalgia over realism would be that of Tim Minchin and his songs, which are based on real occurrences and issues however they play parody and comedy over realism.

The dominance of surface over depth

Surface over depth implies that greater emphasis is based on the image of the singer or song writer whilst the song is made in a style that would is most applicable to the widest audience. In today's society I would say that this is the 'X-factor' audience. My example of a song writers or artists which place surface over depth would be that of One Direction.

No strong sense of history or the future. Alienation is abolished by saying, 'Utopia is now'

as in raves or music festivals.

I think that this is obvious within the club scene. Especially within the newly domination Dub-steb scene and preference of other artists to make there work rave like and seem like the whole thing is made for a club. For example Rihanna.

A new status for art culture. Art does not represent or reflect reality: it is reality Like the

characters in a soap opera, pop stars can seem more 'real' than our own friends.

This has had increasing relevance over time and the development of social networking sites such as twitter and Facebook. The pop stars use of these sites often brings them closer into the lives of many people. Especially when this is coupled with the existence of magazines such as Heat. This is increasingly obvious as normal people use twitter accounts in the name of the famous as a way to spread good wishes and pass statements of wisdom.