Pop Music in 2024: How Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter Shaped a Messier, More Relatable Sound
Pop music in 2024 was as chaotic as it was captivating, thanks to three rising stars: Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter. While icons like Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift released music that delighted their dedicated fans, it was these three women who took the genre in a new direction—embracing imperfection, raw emotion, and messy authenticity.
This year, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter dominated the pop scene, redefining what it means to be a pop star. Their music isn’t polished to perfection like that of Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, whose tracks sometimes feel untouchable. Instead, these women offered a more relatable, messy vibe that connected with today’s audiences, especially the TikTok generation, which craves authenticity and flaws in its pop icons.
Charli XCX finally broke free from “pop’s middle class” with her bold, experimental album Brat, a sweaty, glitchy collection of tracks that redefined her place in pop. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter transitioned from being a supporting act on one of the highest-grossing tours of all time to a leading lady in her own right, scoring chart-topping hits with her playful yet sexy songs. And let’s not forget Chappell Roan, whose debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess began gaining traction after her electrifying live performances, bringing her unique sound to a global audience.
These three artists stood out not just for their talent, but because their music was personal, raw, and full of messy, unfiltered emotions. In a landscape dominated by polished stars like Swift and Beyoncé, Charli, Roan, and Carpenter provided a refreshing alternative that resonated with fans longing for something real.
Authenticity Over Perfection
Sam Murphy, a music curator, explains why this new wave of pop music feels so fresh: “What people really craved this year was to see more mess and chaos in people’s lives. We wanted pop stars we could relate to, who weren’t afraid to show their flaws and charisma.” The hunger for authenticity has led fans to embrace artists who aren’t trying to be perfect but who are open, vulnerable, and willing to bare their flaws.
These three women didn’t become stars overnight—they’ve been honing their craft since their teenage years, building devoted fanbases who appreciated their distinct sounds. Their music may not reinvent pop, but it breathes new life into the genre by infusing it with personal stories and unfiltered emotion.
Breaking the Mold
What sets Charli, Roan, and Carpenter apart is how they’ve created music that’s not just accessible but thrilling. Their songs are more than just catchy—they speak to a generation that’s fed up with sanitized, formulaic pop. Charli’s album Brat blends brash confidence with moments of vulnerability, Roan’s theatrical, drag-inspired style celebrates queer love in a mainstream context, and Carpenter’s cheeky, raunchy lyrics invite listeners into her world with no pretenses.
Mike Errico, a music professor and songwriter, highlights their urgency: “The songs are great. These are talented writers and vocalists, and they have something urgent to say.” They’ve carved out their own niches, unapologetically making music that speaks to their specific experiences and fanbases, rather than chasing broad mainstream appeal.
In fact, the success of these three women marks a shift away from the “ubiquitous pop star” model. As Murphy points out, “The ubiquitous, all-satisfying pop star has disappeared. These niches are becoming bigger and bigger, and that’s why they’ve worked.”
A New Era of Pop
The rise of Charli, Roan, and Carpenter signals a shift in pop music, as fans move away from the perfection of past superstars and demand more relatable, authentic artists. While stars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé will always have a place in pop history, there’s a growing sense of fatigue with the polished, pristine pop star. As Murphy explains, “There’s a level of polish that feels like a bygone era of pop that people aren’t relating to.”
What these new stars offer instead is something raw and messy—a reflection of real, unfiltered lives. Their breakout albums Brat, The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess, and Short n’ Sweet are filled with confessional lyrics about love, loss, and self-reflection. These aren’t just catchy pop songs—they’re deeply personal, danceable anthems that speak to the heart of what it means to be a woman navigating the complexities of identity, relationships, and fame in the 21st century.
The Power of Live Performance
Charli, Roan, and Carpenter also know how to captivate audiences with their live performances, which have helped elevate their profiles. Roan, in particular, gained fans through her electrifying stage presence. Her performance of “Good Luck, Babe!” at Coachella in April went viral, solidifying her status as a rising star. Her shows later that year, including one at Lollapalooza, drew massive crowds, and Carpenter, too, found her star power amplified after supporting Swift on the Eras Tour.
Their success isn’t just about TikTok virality—though that helps. It’s about their ability to connect with fans through every medium. They engage with their audiences directly, often sharing candid updates and personal moments, bypassing traditional promotional channels. Music writer Reanna Cruz notes, “We’re seeing younger artists who know how to access hyper-online audiences having more success.”
A Shift in Pop’s Future
As pop continues to evolve, the sounds of Charli, Roan, and Carpenter are pushing the genre into a new era—one where excess and honesty go hand in hand. Their music isn’t just about catchy hooks or polished images; it’s about embracing the mess, the vulnerability, and the complexity of being a woman in today’s world. Charli’s wild performances, Roan’s dramatic flair, and Carpenter’s unabashed sensuality represent a pop future where authenticity reigns supreme.
In a world that sometimes feels like it’s falling apart, these artists are throwing the best party, creating music that’s both a celebration and a rebellion. As Mike Errico puts it, “People sometimes joke that we’re living in ‘the worst timeline,’ but these artists are determined to throw the best party anyone’s ever tried to shut down.”
Conclusion
2024 has belonged to Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter—three women who’ve redefined pop music by embracing imperfection and authenticity. Their music isn’t just a reflection of who they are—it’s a snapshot of a generation ready for change. And as pop continues to evolve, it’s clear that the future is messy, exciting, and full of potential.
