Autotune as a banal symptom of the fall of modern music(Letto 36 volte)

In the vast universe of contemporary music, the overuse of autotune isn't just a passing fad; I personally consider it a symptom of a much deeper and more widespread crisis. 

This tool, originally designed to correct the slightest vocal imperfections or, in its most extreme form, to expressively underline certain “special” phrases in a song's lyrics, has transformed into a device ever-present in every song and at every moment of the song, distorting and flattening the entire piece, accentuating dehumanization, replacing art with artifice and promoting transhumanism. 

It's not just a loss of authenticity; this abuse is one of the most obvious signs of the cultural decline that is reducing music to a sterile, soulless product.

Melody and harmony, the fundamental pillars of musical composition, have been reduced to repetitive and banal formulas, limited to a few elementary chords and sequences of a few notes obsessively recycled. 

The rhythm, although very carefully crafted in dynamic detail and groove, instead of expressing variation and humanity, has become a mechanical loop, an incessant repetition devoid of true vitality: a robotic parody of vital vivacity. 

And the lyrics? They're often a jumble of banality and vulgarity, sometimes devolving into messages of hate and discrimination.

Comparing music to other sectors such as sports, gastronomy, architecture and many others, the difference is abysmal.

While in these fields innovation is more consistently celebrated, recognizing and rewarding talent and originality, in music a disheartening conformism towards mediocre models reigns and the lack of both technical and expressive talent is increasingly celebrated, in practice.

The brilliant film "Idiocracy" wasn't just a satire, it was a prophecy! It predicted a world where superficiality and mediocrity prevail, a world where culture doesn't rise but rather degenerates. 

And in this scenario, modern pop music represents one of the most obvious expressions of an intellectual and (what is worse) spiritual decline, which risks leaving an empty and meaningless cultural legacy.

Great artists often remain confined to narrow niches because the mass audience finds their work difficult to understand. Yet, in a more culture-conscious world, it would be normal to be able to quote them casually. However, it's also true that some globally successful artists have managed to maintain a certain dignity even in the most commercial music.

However, it is mortifying to note that such artists are in decline, increasingly oppressed by a landscape dominated by so-called 'junk music'.

This phenomenon, which represents more than 80% of the musical offering, not only marginalizes artists who strive to maintain a high standard, but perpetuates a subculture that seems to deliberately want to impoverish the spirit, pushing music of decent quality towards ever smaller and more isolated niches of audiences.

This situation is fueled in part by the dynamics of the music industry, which favors forms that are more appealing to the “simple” (or should I say less evolved?) spirit, where the quantity of streaming listens increasingly takes precedence over artistic quality. 

In this context, marketing and the ability to attract attention through social media often become more important than musical skills or the essence of the message conveyed.

The result is that the music that reaches the general public tends to be that which best adapts to these mechanisms of rapid consumption, often at the expense of innovation and artistic depth. 

Artists who seek to maintain a high level of artistic integrity may find themselves marginalized or forced to compromise.

In conclusion, we must seriously question the future of music and, more generally, the directions we are choosing as a society. 

If art loses its ability to inspire reflection, emotion, and aspiration to beauty and lofty ideals, then we face a crisis that is not only artistic, but profoundly human. 

It's time to reject trivialization by demanding and producing music that is worthy of the name, that nourishes the soul, stimulates the intellect, and celebrates the richness of the human condition, rather than reducing it to mere low-grade entertainment.