Music as a whole can be very divisive. Fan bases of artists and genres are so passionate about the music that moves them, that they have a tendency to project unfair hate or criticism on those that tend to be the antithesis of the music that they love. I’ve gone through my own fazes myself of having snobbish opinions on music as a whole just because I couldn’t get into either the music or fell into the popular trends of hating things that are popular.

Nickleback, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga are all examples of artists that I at one point or another. It became so popular to hate Nickleback and Swift because of how fast they amassed popularity. Nickleback was never “rock” enough. Swift’s audience was for “little kids”. Lady Gaga was… well she’s just Lady Gaga and people don’t know how to react to artist when they express their individuality and uniqueness.

Over the last 5 plus years, however I’ve been an advocate for music no matter what my actual opinion is of the actual music. I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older that music, like any other form of art, is entirely subjective. “Good”, is an opinion. While categorically, yes there can be bad music, as a whole as long as the music finds it’s audience, then it’s succeeded in it’s goal. Music is supposed to make you feel a certain way. What that way is, is entirely up to the listener. Sure the writer, and composer may have an idea for what they think it should mean, but no one has the same life or life experiences.

This train of thought has freed me to look at music I use to fid myself avoiding and finding joy in songs I would have never given the light of day.  That does mean I treat all music the same, as I do have things I don’t like but most of it’s wrapped around my opinion of the artist and not the music. Which reminds me, while I have your attention, I’d like to follow in the footsteps of Paramore frontwoman, Halie Williams. Fuck Morgan Wallen

So I challenge you, reader, leave your comfort zone. Listen to music that you have either been told you should hate, or formed a misinformed negative opinion of for one reason or another. You may find yourself loving some amazing music that you robbed yourself of.