Bedroom pop music is a genre of music that emerged in the early 2010s and gained popularity in the late 2010s. It refers to a style of music that is produced, recorded, and often self-released by an artist in a home studio setup, typically in a bedroom. The name “bedroom pop” reflects the DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos of the genre and its association with the lo-fi aesthetic.
Bedroom pop is characterized by its DIY production, often with a focus on lo-fi aesthetics, and its often introspective and personal lyrics. The genre often incorporates elements of indie pop, shoegaze, hip hop, and electronic music, and is known for its use of cheap and accessible equipment, such as laptops and consumer-grade audio interfaces. This has enabled bedroom pop artists to produce music with a distinct sound and style that is not limited by the resources and technology typically available to commercial artists.
One of the defining features of bedroom pop is its embrace of unconventional recording techniques. Artists often use found sounds and field recordings in their music, creating a textured and layered soundscape. They may also use cassette tapes and other analog equipment to add a vintage or nostalgic feel to their recordings. The result is a sound that is often raw and unpolished, but also intimate and authentic.
Bedroom pop artists also often embrace a DIY approach to distribution, self-releasing their music through digital platforms such as Bandcamp and Soundcloud. This has helped to democratize the music industry, enabling musicians to reach a global audience without the need for major label backing.
However, the term “bedroom pop” has also been criticized by some for its association with the commodification of DIY aesthetics and for its potential to erase the contributions of other musicians and producers involved in the creation of a recording. It is important to note that the DIY ethos of bedroom pop extends beyond just the recording process and into the marketing and distribution of music, with many artists also designing their own album art and merchandise.
In conclusion, bedroom pop is a genre of music that emerged from a DIY ethos and has come to represent a distinct style of lo-fi, introspective, and personal music. It is characterized by its use of unconventional recording techniques and its embrace of self-release through digital platforms. Despite criticism, bedroom pop continues to be a thriving and influential genre, with artists such as Clairo, Soccer Mommy, and (Sandy) Alex G being among the most well-known practitioners.
