Htin - Week 2: A Pop of Color and A Detuned Note
Trends, we all indulge them—in how we dress, where we go, what we eat, the music that fills our ears. As a society, we conform towards what’s accepted as normal and follow racing lines towards inclusion. We fear judgment that comes with divergence—with liking what others don’t, with disrupting the quiet consensus of our social circles. Born with the ability to ideate, we’re coerced into containment.
In the early 2010s, individuality in fashion and music rose to staggering heights. Every outfit worn and every song released felt genuinely expressive in a way that feels increasingly rare today. There was no “wrong” way to dress, no singular “right” music to listen to. Back then, more statement pieces were worn and the brands being put on would always certainly mean something sentimental to them or resonate with them . People would share music over apps like Grooveshark and listen to artists like Skrillex and Young Thug—now written off as too alternative, too untamed—defined a generation’s soundtrack.
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| "Weapon Party" (An Album by confetticannons) |
Slayr and confetticannons brings pastel, subtle and soft asethetics—yet powerful, loud and overwhelming energy to the underground music scene. Tracks like “adobe flash” by Confetti and “Power 4” by Slayr, combine EDM and Trap while taking inspiration from the artists mentioned above who thrived in the earlier decade. On the other hand, Fashion influencers like Troy Ciotte, use pieces, graphics and brands inspired from his childhood interests and hobbies—all while still maintaining an abstract view on his silhouettes.
Naturally, this insistence draws backlash. Online commentary often brands them as try-hard, attention-seeking, or performatively different—even though authenticity itself has become suspect in a culture fluent in irony. The criticism reveals something telling: we’re grown so accustomed to curated conformity that genuine self-expression now reads as a provocation rather than an art form. To stand out, once considered a form of courage, has been recast as a social offense.
But at the end of the day, a pop of color and a detuned note will always have more substance than a uniform of grey and an industrial hit. Because,
Perfection kills personality.
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| Troy (yellow) and Miles (pink) |
I really enjoyed reading your perspective on trends and individuality, as I also feel like people today are becoming more afraid to stand out. Your point about how social media encourages people to follow what is popular instead of expressing themselves really stood out to me, because it shows how much validation can influence the things we wear and listen to.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you compared the early 2010s to today, especially with your examples of fashion and music. I never really thought about how artists like Skrillex and Young Thug or more expressive clothing represented a time when people were more comfortable showing their personalities, but your explanation made me look at those trends differently.
I enjoyed learning about Slayr, Confetti, and Troy Ciotte because they seem to represent the individuality that you believe is becoming less common. Your final point about a pop of color and a detuned note having more substance than something uniform really connected with your overall argument, as it shows how creativity can sometimes be more meaningful than simply fitting in.
I honestly feel myself constantly falling into trends because, as you said, “We fear judgment that comes with divergence.” I completely agree that social media is the main cause of this as it gives us a platform that shows how to fit in. At school, I notice that a lot of my peers wear the exact same hoodies, pants, or shirts--all coming from the same brand and in the same color. I love how you contrasted our current situation with fashion influencers and music artists in the early 2010s. Although I've never listened to artists like Skrillex and Young Thug, I can immediately tell that their music shines in a different way. I can feel the individuality that the album cover boasts. The examples of fashion influencers that you showed are also truly unique and inspiring. The bright yellow and pink shirts, complemented by the flashy and distinctive patterns on the pants really catches my eyes. As someone who wears very neutral- colored clothing, I’m actually quite inspired to add a bit of color and personality into my daily outfits. I love your final message stating, “Perfection kills personality.” It really highlights how your blog is not just about conforming to trends, it's about not being afraid to express yourself.
ReplyDeleteThat line "perfection kills personality" was such a mic-drop finish. Your comparison between today's hyper-curated, monochrome minimalism and the wilder, unpolished energy of the early 2010s felt so spot-on, as it it really made me look at my own feed and realize how easily we trade real expression for algorithmic validation. I loved how you brought in specific artists like confetticannons and Slayr to prove that real individuality hasn't vanished, it's just been pushed underground.
ReplyDeleteTo take this essay up another notch, you could briefly touch on how social media algorithms actively push that "safe" conformity on us by favoring clean, repetitive aesthetics. It’s a super refreshing reminder to stop playing it safe and embrace the detuned notes!