The Case for a Comeback of Overlooked Music Genres
Music with actual melodies and dynamic changes in harmony—this has always been my preference. Additionally, I have a soft spot for interesting progressive rock, although much of what came from the early days feels rather pretentious and pointless to me now.
One genre that I feel deserves a revival is swing. The original swing music from the 1930s and 1940s was groundbreaking, and the 1990s revival was delightful. Let's bring some horns back into the music scene! Dancing to these rhythms is a joy that shouldn't be forgotten. I also agree with the sentiment that ska and two-tone should return, with a strong emphasis on the horn sections.
However, my approach to what music is mainstream isn't based on the criteria of 'deserving to be.' By what standards does something earn the right to be mainstream? If we're judging by what I believe to be the best music, then it won't garner mainstream popularity because mainstream music typically requires broad appeal. The type of music that many regard as the best often fails to meet this standard.
Outside of very narrow parameters, 'deserve' isn't a concept in real life. Chance often plays a larger role than people realize in various aspects of life. When it comes to art, whether it's music, painting, or literature, chance is even more significant. To be mainstream, one typically needs to conform to the preferences of the mainstream audience. The best music, however, rarely conforms.
It is occasionally possible for non-conforming music to resonate with the mainstream audience, but for the most part, it requires both luck and conformity. If you wish to conform, luck plays a role, but if you wish to stand out, luck is even more crucial.
Even if you disregard the assertion that a genre is the best and most deserving, someone will always disagree. Music tastes are subjective, and we live in a world where different people have different tastes. Rather than a world where everyone agrees on the best and most deserving genre, I prefer a world where people try new things. In a world where everyone already knows that genre X is the greatest, there's no motivation to explore other genres.
Ultimately, it's only what ends up in my daily playlist that really matters. That's the only thing that truly matters to me.