I was a little late in jumping onto the TikTok train. It took an epic lockdown and sudden pandemic for me to download the app and create an account out of pure boredom. Once I started scrolling, I couldn’t stop. I’d find myself watching videos for almost an hour straight. Ever since then, I’ve seen changes in the algorithm and trends, as well as a vast range of creators. I have learned so much from TikTok, and draw occasional inspiration from the content that I’ve seen. Personally, I’d say the app is most responsible for exposing me to some incredible music, such as these.
- “little dark age” – mgmt
-
In 2017, American indie rock band MGMT took on a gothic look for “Little Dark Age.” TikTok creators have largely utilized this sound for transition videos, but this song has played over miscellaneous and fact videos as well. I can say genuinely that “Little Dark Age” showcases a concept that I have not seen any other musical group attempt and succeed at. This song reminded me of the Pet Shop Boys, an English pop duo that had huge popularity in the 1980s. I was impressed by MGMT’s ability to create such a mysterious and synthetic sound and exclaim their message further by giving it an equally mesmerizing image through their music video. In addition to their stunning composition, their lyrics are superb.
- “Dancin’ (Krono Remix)” – Aaron smith feat. Luvli
-
I first heard this song in the classic slowed and reverb fashion, which is a concept that will be discussed later. While there isn’t much information available on the original song, we know that it’s an oldie. Some say that the original may not even be a song, but some short jingle that’s been expanded on. Regardless of its true origin, there’s no doubt that Aaron Smith’s composition has the striking capability to make listeners feel free and transparent. The vibrations are upbeat and vivacious, paired with lyrics that urge everyone to get up and dance their heart out. Anybody looking for a riveting tune while driving at night should definitely check this one out.
- “#brooklynbloodpop” – syko
-
Who doesn’t love some good electronic music? In 2020, musical artist Syko blessed the world with “#BrooklynBloodPop,” an alternative banger that would fit perfectly with any edit posted on a fan page. While you can only decipher the lyrics after a Google search, the instrumental track provides for a great backdrop. You can almost daydream to this song.
- “in this shirt” – the irrepressibles
-
This creative British rock band understood the assignment when they released “In This Shirt” in 2010, which I interpreted as a song dealing with moving on and letting go. The lyrics, “I am lost in a rainbow. Now our rainbow is gone,” play in my head rent-free. Listeners understand that we have to let go, but it’s rare to hear someone lamenting about moving on in such a rich and poetic way. One trend that was associated with this song was replacing “lost” with any other noun that fit the video’s theme. Some of these words were different races, ethnicities, hair colors and even moods. With this trend, you could be anything. “I am lost” became “I am ______.”
- “jealous” – eyedress
-
Eyedress’ huff that separates “I don’t have time” from “Do whatever you want” has become part of an interesting TikTok trend where users record their true mood in a situation at the huff. Released in 2019, “Jealous” is the type of song you listen to when you’re driving through busy highways on the West Coast (at least that’s what I did). The alternative artist brings a haunting yet bold sound to the table, paired with a post-punk backdrop. The lyrics depict Eyedress attempting to avoid relationships to prevent heartbreak and any additional problems. Not only is he relatable, but his original and unique image appeals to fans.
- slowed and reverb
-
Not a singular song, but this musical genre involves alternating published music by slowing it down and adding the reverb effect, which lowers the singer’s pitch. The technique originated in 2017, drawing inspiration from the Houston hip-hop scene. Some say that fans of the genre formerly loved nightcore edits. Fans like myself, on the other hand, grew a liking to the intense and riveting result. Hundreds of songs have fallen victim to slowed and reverb, including Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” Rihanna’s “Disturbia” and even the songs on this list. One of my personal favorites is Lil Uzi Vert’s “20 Min,” which was among the first slowed and reverb tracks uploaded to YouTube.
There’s a multitude of fans that likely listened to these songs prior to hearing them on TikTok. We shouldn’t classify any of the music here as TikTok music. We can say, though, that the app further popularized a wide range of songs. Through creating and recreating sounds and trends, listeners learn about musical stylings and genres that may satisfy them more than expected. Beautiful music can be found in all sorts of places, even if it’s through some creative app.