It seems like history repeats itself. Similar trends in fashion, food, music, and desires seem to flow in and out of society with each new generation. While today's music scene is filled with pop and rap music, I believe rock will be making a comeback sooner than we think.
The pop-punk subgenre of punk hit its peak in the 2000s, with songs by Panic! At the Disco and All-American Rejects constantly played on top 40s radio. In 2006, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" was deemed the #20 most popular song of the year and "Move Along" was deemed #21 most popular song of the year on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then, most subgenres of rock, especially pop-punk, seemed to teeter off of the charts. Imagine Dragons brought pop rock back to the charts with "Radioactive" in 2013 and has an occasional hit make it on the list every few years.
Contrary to popular belief, rock and its subgenres never really died. While the mainstream moved away from All-American Rejects and onto One Direction, the original fans for many rock bands stuck with their favorite artists as they continued to make great music. Heavier bands such as A Day to Remember and Sleeping with Sirens continued their success into the 2010s. Poppier rock bands, such as State Champs and Real Friends, made their debuts in the early 2010s and are considered top-tier punk pop bands. There is still a culture and a scene for rock fans, it just is not heard or advocated for on mainstream radio.
With cross-genre collaborations, such as "Rescue Me" by Marshmello and A Day to Remember, and "Heavy" by Linkin Park and Kiiara, several subgenres of rock are starting to break through the barriers that divide them from mainstream culture. Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 claims that they are releasing a collaboration album, that includes working with trap artist Lil Uzi.
As we begin to blend genres and blur the lines between rock, pop, country, rap, and EDM, people will begin to listen to songs slightly out of their comfort zone. Before you know it, these collaborations and newly-formed genres will be topping the charts, and the American Top 40 will see much more diversity in its list.
