AoS5 Solo Artists 1990s to Present

Question 1

Solo Artists 1990s - Present

Answer 1

Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars

Listen to Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies…

Digital drums, synthesisers, and digital vocal effects are all typical features of this music.

Question 2

Rhythm, tempo and metre

Answer 2

Normally 4/4, can use backbeat, simple and repetitive rhythms.

Listen to the intro to Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head.

There is a regular digital drum rhythm (at approx. 120bpm) with an accented hadclap on the backbeat (beats 2 & 4).

Question 3

Texture

Answer 3

Melody and accompaniment. Often samples and sound effects are layered on top.

Listen the first verse of Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga…

A Digital four on the floor drum rhythm for the first eight bars. Accents on beast 2 and 4 are added from bar 9.

Layers of sustained, sythesiser chords provide the harmony to Lady Gaga’s vocal melody.

Question 4

Vocals

Answer 4

Distinctive Vocals with a focus on the singer and not a band.

Listen to Taylor Swift’s vocals on ‘Look what you made me do’..

The vocals are clearly the main focus with digital drums and a very sparse synthesised instrumental accompaniment.

Question 5

Structure

Answer 5

Introduction, verse Chorus structure. Typically a breakdown section near the end.

This example is Britney Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’

Listen to how the loud dynamics and dense texture of the chorus made up of multiple vocal overdubs leads into a contrasting middle section with a sparse texture of vocals, piano and sustained strings.

Question 6

Instruments

Answer 6

Real instruments often replaced or doubled by digital drums, synthesisers and mixed with samples.

Listen to the intro from Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’.

A sample of pouring rain accompanies a simple digital piano riff. A classical male voice with heavy reverb is added with a retro sythesiser melody.

Question 7

Digital Effects

Answer 7

Reverb, Autotune, Echo, Chorus.

Listen to how the vocals on Cher’s ‘Believe’ sound when Autotune is added.

Question 8

Technology

Answer 8

Sampling, overdubbing, synthesisers and digital drum loops.

Listen to Lady Gaga singing ‘Edge of Glory’ & Cher singing Believe…

Both clips includes digital drums, sythesised instrument sounds and digital effects added to the vocals.