Return Of The Guitar: Halsey, 5 Seconds of Summer, Joji - a podcast by Vox

In 2019 guitar made a comeback in the top 10. According to analysis from Hit Songs Deconstructed, about a third of all songs featured the electric guitar, a nearly 10% jump from the year before. In 2020 this trend isn’t stopping. Recent releases by Halsey, 5 Seconds of Summer and Joji all prominently feature electric guitars tones. They reference 90s nu-metal, grunge and metal genres. More than a nostalgic nod, these songs draw from an era that was self-consciously “alternative” to convey disaffection, frustration and longing.

SONGS DISCUSSEDKhalid, Normani - Love Lies

Juice WRLD - Lucid DreamsHalsey - Without Me

Joji - Slow Dancing In The DarkJoji - Run

Metallica - Enter SandmanSanto&Jonny - Sleep Walk

Chuck Berry - Johnny B. GoodeBuddy Holly - That’ll Be The Day

LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge5 Seconds Of Summer - No Shame

Nirvana - Come As You AreHalsey - Experiment On Me

Rage Against The Machine - Bulls On ParadeLimp Bizkit - Break Stuff


MOREListen to our conversation about MIA’s “Paper Planes” and Drake’s “God’s Plan” with Sam Sanders on NPR’s It’s Been A MinuteLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Further episodes of Switched on Pop

Further podcasts by Vox

Website of Vox