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god, Selena is so gorgeous. Zedd's music is dope, but I'm mad jealous.

karlie

I think that has a lot to do with the blurring of the lines of mainstream and indie, that Stereogum and everyone has covered for several years now. There sort of isn't an indie scene anymore. Pop acts appear on Stereogum and Pitchfork "best of" lists. Someone like Pharrell is the perfect example. He's worshipped by both indie fans and gets played on your local pop music station. I just think music changed. I don't know when that happened. But, theres really no genres or boundaries really. Your teen sister is into Charli XCX, Disclosure and Pharrell. My parents know who Pharrell is. And someone like Justin Timberlake is seen as an arbiter of coolness by both girls, but also guys too and has massive amounts of critical acclaim along with his clear commercial popularity. Things have changed.

I don't want the R&b thing to end either. Its what indie needed, a needed shot in the arm. But i'm obsessed with all the bands mentioned in the article and in the comments here as well. R&b is amazing in 2014.

Its interesting to note as a Grantland writer did last year, that indie fans in 2014 are as likely to be bumping the new Beyonce, JT, and Lorde, as they are the newest obscure indie band. Saturation to me means the genre can't evolve anymore. If we as a movement and culture have no accepted, JT, Beyonce, and everyone else as amazing music deserving of praise, which I think is the case, then I don't think the movement has stopped growing. I think its still expanding and altering and changing. Its just now bands, as the article suggests, are as likely to be fans of Drake and Bey as they are some new Pitchfork endorsed band no one knows about

The Dream's discography except for his most recent album, is pretty much flawless

Interesting article, but I disagree. To me, saturation means staleness and a genre reaching a point where it can no longer innovate. Im the perfect case study for this. For most of the 2000's was a typical indie hipster, Pitchfork and Stereogum fanatic. Then Nostalgia Ultra and Weeknd's Trilogy hit in 2011 and most of my listening time from 2011 onward has been listening to the R&B sounds of Weeknd, Miguel, The Dream, HTDW, JT. I now listen to pop and r&b almost exclusively. I find indie r&b, or pbr&b, or just pop in general in 2014 to be as adventurous and inspiring as I did in 2011. I find the genre to be moving in exciting ways. I think R&b will be similar to indie in general. 2004 indie sounds nothing like 2014 indie. And 2011 R&b has evolved into 2014 r&b. I don't think that means saturation. Because if that was the case, indie as a genre, in general, would have become stale and over saturated, in 2004 or something. Pitchfork nailed it in 2011, when they reviewed Love Remains, and said, essentially that this lo-fi R&b album would have a profound impact and cause a bunch of people to start recording their own r&b albums in their basement. 3 years later, and we've seen that happen. Im as psyched about what i've heard in those 3 years, as I ever have been. And am looking forward to any other similar albums that come down the pike this year.

Its not that big of a surprise given all bands do this stuff now. The shock is in thinking back to 1991 or something. Who would have ever thought the Pixies would be on a television commercial.

Album changed my life. Was released my freshman year of college. Isaac's lyrics always felt like he was as confused and lost as I was. The unique guitar tones seemed to be the sonic equivalent of twenty something angst. This album pushed me. Pushed me to try new things. To live life more fully. TO believe this life is all we have and that I better get to living. This is a quarterlifecrisis essential album. Helped me to become who I am. Helped me to change.

Whats interesting about his music, and Im not sure he'd agree, but, so often the organized religion ideology is that if you aren't going to church you aren't a member of the faith. And what Sufjan's music conveys, whether or not he himself agrees, is the idea that God is all around. He exists in music, art, creativity, lyrics. The God Sufjan talks about is one who isn't sitting around moaning about people taking his name in vain, or acting like homosexuality is something God gives a damn about. God is all around. And he's here whether you believe in him or not. He doesn't judge you if you don't believe, doesn't send you to hell, but he's here reguardless. Sufjan gives the entire display. The God who takes his first girlfriend who dies of bone cancer in Casimir Pulaski, and praying to God doesn't help save her. Sufjan is as confused and scared as we all would be in that situation. Yet then you have songs like Chicago, where God's beauty is on display. Even a song like Abraham while describing something horrific is indescribably beautiful.

great article. Very influential and important album in my own life. The article hit the nail on the head. I wouldnt self identify as a Christian, but Sufjan's power with words and description almost make me want to become a Christian. He portrays a God, completely out of step with much of what gets labeled Christianity these days. He may not understand God "he takes and he takes and he takes" as he says on Casimar Pulaski on Illinois. But the God he talks about is the one I want to believe in. I believe in God, and certainly a reason for that is the God that Sufjan talks about, his glory and his mystery. Sufjan has doubts and doesn't understand God either. He's as unsure as we all are, even if he is a proud Christian who wears it on his sleeve. Sufjan is one of the greatest lyricists of our generation and a treasure. Incredible way with words. When he dies, a whole generation will weep. Sometimes I only listen to this album during the holidays, but he has so many other Christmas albums in addition, this sounds good all year though. Listening to this album and reading the article makes me sad. I miss how indie rock used to be. The article mentions all of the albums that originally made me become an indie rock kid in the first place. Those years 2003-2007 were so magical. I like what indie rock has become in 2014, but theres something indescribably important and life changing about hearing Our Endless Numbered, or Good News For People, or Creek Drank The Cradle or even Michigan for the first time and having your entire fabric of your being completely altered and forever changed. My heart ACHES for those days. What was this new thing called "indie rock"? Who was this strange guy, whose name I couldnt pronounce? Legitimately makes me tear up.....

would fit with who he is as a person too. He's never been an attention seeking artist. Even when he was blowing up with Im Wide Awake, its not like he was seeking fame and money and attention. He seems extremely shy, and I think he feels very much, that his personal life is just that. Personal, and not our business. And thats 100 percent accurate. He's always been a hero of mine for precisely these reasons. His persona lends more credibility to his albums. Because he speaks from the heart. In fact I think he's always been extremely uncomfortable with fan adoration and critical success. When he was being called the New Dylan and the Spokesman for his generation around 2003-2004-2005, he clearly wasnt buying mansions and in my opinion wasnt taking advantage of groupies and fans either.

it is indirectly mentioned. The multiple mentions of how the internet is destroying everything and how Conor dislikes the internet, I think clearly are subtle and not so subtle statements on the accusations. Also, perhaps Stereogum took the comments of its users to heart, when they posted the original allegations, and how people were correctly flipping out because the allegations are just that, allegations. At this point there isnt any evidence suggesting Conor committed any crime or is guilty. I think its pretty clear why the headline reads "Is not a fan of the internet". Rape should be condemned and people who commit such crimes should be punished. But until theres actual evidence linking Conor to the crime, its silly to act like he's a criminal. I seriously doubt the case will go to court. At this point its just some anonymous reddit user posting allegations. Sorry, Im gonna need ALOT more than that to paint someone a criminal, folks!

since the allegations came out ive been wondering what Klara and Johanna think of Conor now, and if they still support him. First Aid Kit seem like the type of girls who wouldnt take any crap. So, if they no longer support him, the new project could be awkward if they are included on it

they should either get rid of the alternative category or rename it. Alternative died in the 90's. When was the last time you heard someone say "Hey, I found this cool alternative band you need to check out"? It should be renamed indie. Should have been renamed that about a decade ago

I just think the articles argument is weak. The main critiques are that Part 2 wasnt as good as Part 1. That he was embroiled in controversy with Take Back the Night the feminist organization. No mention that several weeks later the organization dropped the lawsuit charges, he wasnt sued. So thats a win in my book. Another critique is that Blurred Lines was censored by YouTube while Tunnel Vision wasnt. Not sure how thats a loss for JT. And that JT is viewed as "conservative" as a result. Not sure if Chris is aware of any pop culture in 2013, but from where I sit, the whole fancy dress, suit and tie, look is the popular thing right now. From Barney Stinson, to Don Draper, to Suit and Tie the song, to AF's tour dress policy. Not to mention Tom Ford being mentioned in more songs this year than I can ever remember. Being fancy and conservative in your dress and style is in right now. Not sure I'd look to NY TImes to be the arbiter of whats hot in terms of style and fashion! The critique of Holy Grail also shows Chris' complete ignorance on the subject. How was Holy Grail the album received? How was it received critically? From my standpoint it wasnt his strongest and critics agreed. What I did here often was how great the production was, and then how great JT was on the album, specifically on Holy Grail the song. Theres a reason that song is a hit on the radio. And the song essentially plays as a JT song featuring Jay. And I guess we do know something you dont know Chris. You aware of who the Coen Bros are? This isnt just another film. Any film they do is a big deal and big event. Its guaranteed to be nominated for multiple awards. How a Coen Bros film is somehow turned into a negative for JT is a thing of wonder in this article. So what do we have? We have Part 2 which didnt do well. And.... And....? The article reads like a person wanting to come up with reasons to tear JT down a notch. Anyone who had a pulse in 2013 can surmise pretty easily that JT had an incredible year.

Iron Fist, what other pop music have you been listening to in 2013? I feel the same way. I almost feel like 20/20 changed my life. 2013 has been outrageously high quality in terms of pop and r & b music. And ive spent the majority of the year listening to those genres nearly exclusively.

His performance on the VMA's was critically and fan acclaimed. Chris doesnt know what he;s talking about.

This article is among the most ridiculous Stereogum has ever published. It feels like a obit for someone still very much alive. The guy will have the best selling album of 2013. Will be nominated for multiple Grammies next year and has a legitimate shot at winning Album of the Year. Has one of the most successful tours of 2013 with the Jay coheadline tour, and the tour he's on now that stretches well into next summer will undoubtedly be one of the most financially successful of this and next year. Did Timberweek on Fallon and created multiple video short classics-Hashtag being one of them. Is GQ's man of the year. Got the VMA video vanguard award and did a 15 minute performance on the VMA's. I fail to see how overexposure hurt him, or takes away from his massive accomplishments this year. Part 2 got mediocre reviews. Big whoop. Its not overexposure. Nor is it a massive dent in JT's armor. Its one album thats not received as well by critics. Beyond The Social Network has any of his films been big hits with critics? The guy has a part in a Coen Bros film that will undoubtedly be nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globes. Anyone who thinks JT is crying in his milk over this is mentally ill. All artists want their work to be received well, but in the long run, this doesnt even register. Part 1 is album of 2013. and JT is the biggest pop star in the world. No senseless doomsaying article has any credibility to claim otherwise. All artists have projects that fail. The Beatles had failures. You make the best art you can, and you move on. Sometimes critics love it. Sometimes they dont. The article is silly and seems to assume a completely asinine and poppycock idea that a guy who well into September was the biggest story of 2013, that somehow an album that didnt hit well is somehow his downfail, Shame on you Stereogum. Shame on you Chris. Its like if Adele released 21 and then during that year released a song that didn't do as well. You really think Adele gives a damn! Come on man!

I think part of being a creative person is you are restless. You move on. You are constantly searching. Thats just being an artist. You are inspired by Scorsese for one album, then a breakup happens and you write about that for the new record. Thats just being an artist. However some artists arent willing, or cant do the Radiohead or Bowie thing. Changing it up every album is tough. Its scary. its experimental and its risky. Once you throw in money you also throw a wrench in the mix. If a band hit it big and made millions off a certain sound and style, it makes complete sense why theyd feel pressure to remain as they are and put out status quo albums that sound the same. The whole reason why Radiohead is sacred is because few bands pull off what they did. Most bands dont do it. And cant. Or wont.