#178 - COVID-Era Country & Post-Pandemic Pop

In this episode of WorkTape, we explore the evolving sonic landscape of the 2020s—from the quiet, introspective sound shaped by the pandemic to the unexpected resurgence of country music. We go into how artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Post Malone are redefining genre boundaries, what that means for the future of pop, and how soft rock is making a comeback. Come along as we unpack the musical trends shaping this strange and genre-blurring decade.🎧 Episode HighlightsHas COVID locked the 2020s into a seemingly permanent mood of introspection?Has the “post-Post Malone” era pushed pop music into ambiguity?Did Mac DeMarco shape an entire generation of indie music?Would a return to country roots re-energize Taylor Swift’s legacy?Is Golden Hour a modern benchmark for crossover success?Is the comeuppance of Tortured Poets Department (mostly) owed to Billie Eilish and Clairo?