My Least Favorite Artist
Taylor Swift: The Overexposed "Era"
13-time Grammy winner but perhaps the most oversaturated artist in modern pop music.
Artists With More Musical Depth
- Janelle Monáe - From her originality in concept albums and genre-defying career through funk, R&B, rap, rock, psychedelic, and jazz, Monae successfully defines each "era" with the feeling of entering a new world of different sound, innovation, and creative musical and visual control. Her live performances are comparable in storytelling, with the presence of deeper themes and theatrics to blend multiple genres.
- Hope Sandoval / Mazzy Star - With the recent journey Swift has undertaken to maintain artistic control of her own music catalog, Hope Sandoval has always prioritized releasing music on her own schedule and having independence. She completely embodies her music: ethereal, dreamy, and a distinct hazy sound paralleled by her mysterious presence and artistic mystique. She worked to evolve her own sound, maintaining authentic growth and integrity of her sound that wasn't influenced by mainstream genres. Mazzy Star's sound is comparable to Taylor Swifts recent releases, with integrtion of indie, folk, and soft vocal intimacy.
- Lauryn Hill - Another storytelling and genius singer-songwriter is Lauryn Hill, who influenced generations of artists across multiple genres. Lauryn Hill showcases a superior technical and complex range, both vocally and in flow. Her musical arrangements are more sophisticated, and instead of live performances focused on fan-service, Lauryn Hill delivers intentional, raw performances.
What These Artists Share
Unlike Swift's commercial-driven releases, these artists share an unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. They create complete musical worlds with each project, incorporate strong social consciousness in their work, and maintain relevance despite taking extended breaks between releases. Their influence spans generations because they prioritize artistic vision over commercial success.
Critical Reception of Recent Works
| Title | Year | Metacritic Score |
|---|---|---|
| Midnights | 2022 | 85/100 |
| The Tortured Poets Department | 2024 | TBD |
| Amsterdam (Acting Role) | 2022 | 32/100 |