While we were growing up, music used to be an intrinsic part of our lives. This used to lead to a lot of reprimands as parents often cited excessive music as a hindrance in the growth path of their child. However, what they do not realise is that the resonance of music has undergone an evolution in our day and age. In our parent’s era, music was all romanticised and made life feel like ‘all is well’. But with the teenage generation, music serves as more of a reality check. The hard-hitting lyrics of today’s music, especially in rap and rock, makes us think about life beyond our existence and tries to instil a sense of responsibility and rebellion within us.
In India, few TV shows and movies have touched upon the impact of music on the lives of the youth. However, one prominent show on the horizon is changing the trend by touching upon this pertinent topic – ZEE5’s RejctX.
Set in the backdrop of an international school, the series focusses on a group of misfit teens who join hands to form a music band in secrecy. How their music serves as a medium to express their inner turmoils forms a major part of the series’ storyline.
That got us thinking – How exactly does music help express emotions for today’s teens?
The first and obvious choice is the lyrics. Many a time, lyrics speak to you in a way that normal words just can’t. A prominent example would be the ‘Doori’ song from the movie Gully Boy. In the first glance, the song has the groove and vibe of a love ballad. But as the song progresses and you listen to it more intently, you will realise that the song is a subtle take on inequality in the society and the pressures involved in it. The visuals of the song make this more evident in the film.
Then, we come to the music. Now, the common complaint the older generation has with today’s music is that it is so harsh on the ears, especially when it comes to the rock genre. Now, it is true that the genre uses coarse voices and heavy-hitting music to make an impact. But as a listener, once the ears get used to the music, the songs can have a calming effect on the mind. In short, these supposedly loud songs can help in achieving calmness as well as improve concentration. Also, upon repeated playbacks of the better rock songs, one would develop an appreciation for the layered music styles employed in these songs. Thus, showing that rock songs are complex music pieces that also deserve appreciation.
We could go on and on about how music is becoming a form of expression for today’s youth. The examples are abundant across musical genres, all for you to explore. So, let us know in the comments – which songs connected with you on an emotional level? How do you think music acts as a medium of expression in this day and age?
