The Death Of Genre

From Soundcloud and Youtube, via Spotify to Tik Tok, singers, songwriters and bands have rewritten the rules of the industry - not just in the (largely financial) management of it, but in its accessibility, immediacy, and now even in its definition.

We see music from its inception - from their bedroom to yours in seconds. More used to musicians hitting the stage fully formed, managed and well-rehearsed, bedroom pop turned its audience of disparate individuals into talent scouts, promoters, financers and fans. The success or otherwise of the artist is pretty much down to them. They hit the mainstream with, or because of a fully-fledged fan club.

Categorising this music by genre is the latecomer to the party if invited at all; the music (often more accurately the ‘song’) is either liked or not, the artist followed or not, thus deciding whether it is a success or not. They or it, may simply not be around long enough to become part of an existing tradition, or even a new ‘movement.’

Success has always been subjective. While the immediacy and potential for artistic control as well as musical experimentation these platforms offer is welcomed, the sheer overload of uploads is overkill and runs the risk of smothering, ‘genuine’ talent. Immediacy becomes flash in the pan, popularity means one-hit wonder, accessibility means everyone knows the song but no one can remember the artist. Being a Tik Tok star could soon be the equivalent of being a TV celebrity, no qualifications required.

Used wisely these platforms have their undeniable uses. Interestingly, some of the more discerning artists who have found success this way, now manage their time on the platforms as much as their music. Taking a step back if necessary in order to preserve the way they are perceived, and to protect their work.

binki - Clay Pigeon


US artist Binki is one of these. Uploading to streaming sites in the late 2010s he attracted attention and studied ‘the art of getting songs played’ like the business it is. Risking being overwhelmed, he took time out and emerged happier with the result. His debut EP Motor Function released in 2021 marks him out as an exciting talent. His sound now is deeper, braver, more compelling. The time spent looking in rather than out is evident, the resulting maturity too. Not only sharing influences from music we know, Binki draws from experiences we don’t; his personal journey of course, and professionally one that both absorbs and rejects current technology and trends.

'Genreless'.

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Without doubt this is an exciting time. New sounds are evolving as quickly as technology, faster than we can define. The musical promise for this year alone suggests all is well in this genrefluid era. Irrespective of the platform they launched from, these artists will be in our orbit for a while.

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