I unapologetically love Chappell Roan. If pop had been like that back in the eighties, I would have been full on crazy for it.

Not that I’m knocking the pop acts from back then, even the “kiddie” pop like Debbie Gibson or the boy bands of the era. Lotta talent there. But it was corporatized talent, just like most of the other young pop acts since. Disney churns them out, but that isn’t the only source.

But Chappell? While it’s still over produced music (unless you check out her tinydesk performance, which was amazing) for the most part, there’s a sense of joy in it that pop often lacks. And, while the lyrics can sometimes be a bit forced, at least they aren’t generic.

Again, I’m not saying anything about talent, I can’t think of any of the teen pop acts that didn’t have plenty of that. Just the style of it, and the oomph that brings when the performer is genuinely having fun.

It’s just fun music.