Music Analysis: Has Olivia Rodrigo found a new voice?
Olivia Rodrigo has released her third studio album, ‘you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love’, and it has everyone talking. We know heartbreak isn't new territory for Olivia, however, this album seems to carry a different tone.
Music News Blitz’s Charlotte Cave has more on the story.
Music analysis: Social media influence on the discovery of music
The way people discover new music has changed with the rise of social media, writes Music News Blitz’s Tabitha Kongo.
Music analysis: Virtual concerts – a growing trend in the music industry
Since the breakthrough of ABBA Voyage, the virtual concert that began in May 2022, the rise in the digital concert experience has only increased amongst fans.
While there has been speculation that the ABBA Voyage might close its doors, the production has repeatedly extended its run due to high demand, transforming the possibilities of live entertainment, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
Music analysis: Why Olivia Rodrigo’s songwriting feels so painfully real for Gen Z
Olivia Rodrigo has always had a gift for making feelings sound embarrassingly specific, writes Music News Blitz’s Fatima Aziz.
Music analysis: Why are listeners rediscovering longer songs?
From Taylor Swift’s 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ to classic epics like Telegraph Road by Dire Straits, lengthy songs continue to captivate audiences despite the rise of short-form content.
As streaming and social media reshape listening habits, Music News Blitz’s Jessica Spilsbury explores why listeners may be rediscovering long-form music.
Music analysis: The dawn of the band tee and modern-day merch culture
Since its early days, the music merch scene has come a long way from a simple t-shirt.
Modern artists offer a variety of merchandise that sprawling queues of fans can’t wait to get their hands on.
Music News Blitz’s Megan Hamilton writes on the phenomenon and explores a select range of examples of the spectacle of modern-day merch culture.
Music analysis: Have phones ruined concerts – or are fans just experiencing music differently?
There is a moment at almost every concert now where the lights dim, the opening notes start, the crowd screams and then hundreds of phones immediately go up.
For some people, it ruins everything, writes Music News Blitz’s Fatima Aziz.
Music analysis: Can AI ever create a genuine hit song?
From AI-generated songs mimicking Drake, to platforms capable of producing new music in seconds, artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly involved within the music industry, writes Music News Blitz’s Jessica Spilsbury.
What was once viewed as science fiction is now a reality, with AI tools able to generate lyrics, melodies and even imitate the voices of famous artists.
As the technology continues to develop, one question remains: can AI create a genuine hit song, or is there still something uniquely human behind chart success?
From West Side Story to Wicked: How musicals continue to thrive in the modern age
Popular music has shifted drastically over the years, with each decade having its own unique style and symbolic reflection of the era, but musicals have stood the test of time.
As they originally focused on dance and comedy with standalone performances, the genre has gradually evolved to incorporate more complex plots and characters, which are evident in productions today.
The thrill of a live performance, which includes shared audience reactions, a blend of genres like comedy, drama, and romance, and striking costumes, is still something contemporary audiences are drawn to, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
Music analysis: The death of the music video - or its reinvention?
From Michael Jackson’s Thriller to Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, music videos were once a major cultural event, writes Music News Blitz’s Jessica Spilsbury.
Fans would tune in to television premieres, while artists invested millions into elaborate productions designed to become talking points around the world.
Today, many songs find success through 15-second clips on TikTok before audiences ever watch a full music video.
At a time when music competes for attention alongside streaming services, social media feeds and endless digital content, the role of the traditional music video appears to be changing.
As social media increasingly shapes how music is discovered and shared, a new question has emerged: are music videos disappearing, or are they simply evolving for a new generation?
Music analysis: A look at the music industry’s unsung heroes
Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Drake, all huge household names that people around the world cannot seem to get enough of.
Regardless of opinion on these artists, it is undeniable that they have built highly successful careers through their music.
But what about artists who do not receive the same level of recognition for their work?
Fame does not necessarily reflect the level of talent an artist has.
Music analysis: Has social media created a new type of pop star?
Artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Madison Beer, Addison Rae and Chappell Roan have become some of the most recognisable names in modern pop music.
Unlike previous generations, many now build large audiences online before reaching mainstream success.
While talent remains essential, platforms such as TikTok have transformed how artists are discovered, promoted and discussed.
This has sparked debate about whether social media has created an entirely new type of pop star, writes Music News Blitz’s Jessica Spilsbury.
Music news: Olivia Rodrigo performs CMAT hit on Radio 1’s Live Lounge
American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo covered the song ‘When a Good Man Cries’ for her second appearance on Radio 1’s Live Lounge, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
The song, originally from the album ‘Euro-Country’ by Irish singer-songwriter CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson), was released last year.
Music analysis: Why older music is making a comeback
A key element of music is that it can be used to determine different eras.
From the swinging 60s to the Noughties, music, alongside fashion, was pivotal to each decade, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
But what symbolic music and fashion choices were pivotal to the 2020s?
Music reaction online content: Unlocking your personal perspective or constraining it?
Music News Blitz writer Zach Heynes explores the online phenomenon of music reactions, a subgenre of content creation where influencers share their live reactions to a song or album.
Great films, greater soundtracks - underrated music from popular films
Music News Blitz’s Zach Heynes discusses three standout scores from already popular films to shine a light on an aspect of the cinematic experience that warrants some more credit.
Music analysis: Why music feels less monumental in the streaming era
Claims are often made that “music used to matter more,” and “it used to tell stories,” implying that today's music doesn’t hold the same substance that it once did, writes Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill.
20 years on: How Taylor Swift transformed the music industry
In 2006, 16-year-old Taylor Swift stepped into the music industry; two decades later, her influence is impossible to ignore.
Music News Blitz writer Abbie Latymer calls her “an authentic voice who transforms personal insecurities and experiences into uplifting and inspiring music”.
Music analysis: Why have concert ticket prices risen so much?
Is it artist greed? Ticketing websites? Or are fans just willing to pay?
Spending a fair amount to see your favourite artist is not new, and even expected. But it definitely feels like concert prices have become ridiculous.
Music Blitz Writer Bella Ford reports…
Music analysis: Nostalgia and cultural influence of FIFA soundtracks
With every new edition of a FIFA game, a new soundtrack containing diverse, energetic and underground music arrived with it.
These playlists solidified the bridge between football and music in a way nothing else has.
Among the overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction with the direction Electronic Arts (EA) have taken the FIFA franchise down, the soundtrack behind the games remained a constant success every single year.
From its first soundtrack on FIFA ‘98 which featured Blur’s iconic ‘Song 2’ up until more recent editions in the early 2020’s – the songs behind the videogames have become as influential as the game itself.
But how was this created and why is the nostalgia behind FIFA songs so strong?
Music News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills shares his thoughts.