Genre bending: finding inspiration within a combination

The song “Lost in the Supermarket” rolls into “Guns of Brixton” until “Koka Kola” pours from the speakers and lands on “The Card Cheat.” Rock ‘n’ roll had proved itself a major player for a couple decades when The Clash rolled in and switched it up. From somber, standard rock hits to funked up grooves, reggae inspired tunes and punk infused vibes, The Clash was the first band that taught me genres could be suggestions rather than confinements. While its original run ended in the mid-’80s, it was only the beginning in my personal journey with genre melding.

Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake made headlines with their award show collaboration. The world watched and made many a click-bait article, as Taylor Swift went from young country up-and-comer to global pop sensation. Fans waited with baited breath for Fall Out Boy’s re-release featuring prominent rappers on every song. The music industry and its consumers are fascinated time and time again when stars dip their toes in other genres. But do genres only collide when promotions or one-off collaborations occur? We’re all aware of bands who mix indie rock and indie pop or rap and soul, but genres don’t have to be of kin to find themselves intermixed.

AWOLNATION climbed the charts back in 2012 with “Sail,” but the band, fronted by Aaron Bruno, is a prime example of not subscribing to one genre. While its songs have a coherency provided by a trademark style, they branch out into hip-hop, rock, alternative, dubstep, electropop and more. Every song is not a composite of a multitude of genres but rather has multiple influences that feed into an overall song not completely pinned down by one label or another. Bruno’s vocals can transform from ’80s synth accompaniment to digitally distorted metal and pop pronunciation to rock band frontman and even scream to robotic. “Knights of Shame” is a 12-minute song that feels like a timeless complexity. The song uses similar chord progressions through a minefield of genre influences. It’s not something you can pinpoint the exact moment of change within but rather an evolution you ride out.

An artist who has been incredibly outspoken about the importance of genre melding is Raury. The 19-year-old musician creates songs that come across as art more than the conventional notion of music. Play his most popular songs on Spotify in order, and you’ll be convinced it’s not the same artist each time. In individual songs, he can combine gospel, soul and rap or folk, rock and hip-hop. Over entire albums, he creates an articulate feeling through folk, indie, pop, electro, rap, rock and more. Raury becomes a curator within a world of intricacies while managing to avoid getting lost. Raury has created a presence, an identity, a moment and a message that results in genre melding rather than the other way around.

Gorillaz shaped their dark, brooding sound with electronic-, pop-, indie- and rock-sculpted songs. Cake used the instruments and styles of jazz, the vocals of a monotone speaking voice and the body of alternative rock. Caravan Palace mixes electronic music with 1920’s swing to create the perfect soundtrack to a hipster rave. As electronic techniques integrate further into music, artists find genre melding easier and easier. New genres based around technological developments arise every year as DJs use sampling and features to produce multi-branded beats. The future of music is at the pinnacle of possibility, ready to parallel society in a progressive move towards seeing genre as non-defining. Artists like Raury represent a new generation interested in letting the music speak for itself rather than being marketed to pre-decided demographics. And I, for one, can’t wait.

Recommended Playlist:

“Trap Tears”

– Raury

“Not Your Fault”

– AWOLNATION

“Frank Sinatra”

– Cake

“Clint Eastwood”

– Gorillaz

“Guns of Brixton”

– The Clash

“The Kids Aren’t Alright”

– Fall Out Boy feat. Azealia Banks

“Good Times Roll”

– Griz feat. Big Gigantic

“Lex”

– Ratatat

“Clash”

– Caravan Palace

“Seven Nation Army”

– Postmodern Jukebox

Malorie McCall is a junior majoring in philosophy.  Her column “Mal’s Mix” runs on Fridays.