Scary Music: The charm of Creepy & Pouty

Music that gives you the creeps

When we talk about pop, we often mistakenly place the term within the category of commercial music. This is a common misconception: today, pop encompasses almost everything; it is not just popular music, but includes every subgenre of the broader macro-genres, from rock to electronic, from indie to hip-hop and beyond. Ultimately, the classification of ‘pop’ depends on the form and structure of a song.

Let’s explore this concept further by examining its parallels and closely related branches:

Creepy pop

Returning to the more unsettling definition, creepy pop can be interpreted as a sub-style of art pop. This differs from dark pop – rooted in alt-pop, a branch of the alternative macro-genre – which incorporates elements of hip-hop and alt-rock. Although both share the intention of breaking the mould, the fundamental difference lies in the integration of artistic theories as part of the creepy pop artist’s personal expression. In the narrative, weaknesses are transformed into strengths through a kind of personal protest.

Creepy pop is characterised by the unsettling tone that a song, whether instrumental or not, can evoke. The narrative reflects a particular emotional imprint, an act of rebellion, a cause, a denunciation or a state of unease inspired by ‘creepy cute’, an aesthetic movement that originated online between 2000 and 2011 (Junko Mizuno, Happy Tree Friends, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu).

It is therefore important to distinguish it from subgenres such as emo or alternative rock, which may explore similar themes but develop a different character from a structural and sonic perspective.

The distinctive features of creepy pop include provocative storytelling accompanied by childlike, satirical and distorted sounds; music boxes, xylophones, strings and musical toys as part of the instrumentation; catchy rhythms oriented towards a pop structure and atmospheric elements inspired by psychological horror or surreal settings.

We might assume that the ideal rhythm for this style is, for example, the creepy kit © – from Rhea Doll’s drum kit.

Here is an A to Z list of some creepy pop artists:

• Ashnikko*

• antihoney

• Baby Bugs*

• Bambi Baker

• Baybe

• Billie Eilish*

• bludnymph*

• Britney Spears

• Chandler Leighton

• DeathbyRomy*

• Die Antwoord*

• Elita*

• Ellise

• Elle Lexxa

• Jazmin Beans*

• Kerli

• Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

• Lady Gaga

• Lalleshwari

• Lana Del Rey*

• Lucy Loone

• Mad Tsai

• Melanie Martinez

• mia rodriguez

• Rebecca Black

• Rhea Key 1024

• Rhea Doll

• Slayyyter

• Poppy*

• poutyface*

• Yikii

*partly alt-pop, alt-rock and poutycore

Poutycore

As mentioned, poutycore can also be classified within the realm of art pop styles, but its essence differs slightly from that of creepy pop, due to its underlying intent. It remains true to a childlike quality, expressed through a perpetually pouting yet nostalgic tone, which remains endearing and charming, albeit melancholic.

Poutycore may share some overlaps with the nostalgic emo of the digitalised 2000s and, by extension, with the parallel world of alt-pop (as in the cases of Nicole Dollanganger and Sophie Woodhouse). This connection stems from the fact that many artists associated with poutycore have their roots in the more emotional alternative scene.

The distinctive characteristics of poutycore include a sulky and grumpy personality, sadness and chronic hypersensitivity; a mix of Celtic folk and grunge influences, typically paired with lyrics describing everyday life or the stagnation of hometowns; nostalgia combined with themes of toxic love and emotional suffering; feelings of dissatisfaction regarding trivial or mundane situations.

Imagine being a spoilt little creature who has lived in her bubble for decades, having had nothing but unpleasant encounters outside her room. She drags herself through the world with the same expression as always: the corners of her mouth turned down, and people asking her: ‘Why don’t you smile? Why don’t you ever smile?’ or ‘Are you sad about something?’; each time they don’t know how to reply. They are tired, frustrated, and feel that no one truly understands their pain. Even when they aren’t suffering, they find comfort in sad stories, melancholic films, dystopian video games or distressing books. Well, this is the perfect portrayal of a poutycore individual.—  Rhea Key 1024, 2023

Despite the obvious negative traits, the concept of ‘poutycore’ can be seen as a form of aesthetic and identity-based self-acceptance, a celebration of human vulnerability and delicacy. In this sense, it can also express dignity and beauty.

Here is an A to Z list of some poutycore artists:

• Adeline Troutman

• Allie X

• aldn*

• antihoney

• Asi Kemera*

• Baby Bugs

• Bambi Baker

• Billie Eilish*

• carolesdaughter*

• Dillon

• Elita*

• Ethel Cain

• Flower Face

• Honey Gentry

• Lana Del Rey

• Lil bo Weep

• Lizzy Grant

• Mars Argo*

• Melanie Martinez

• Marina

• Mazzy Star*

• Mieke

• Nicole Dollanganger*

• Rhea Key 1024

• Rhea Doll

• Sky Ferreira*

• Sophie Woodhouse*

• Unaloon

• Yeule

*partly alt-pop, alt-rock (emo) and creepy pop

Creepy & Pouty is a movement that speaks of our personal monsters and needs to emerge so that we can defeat them. The creepy & pouty creatures that are part of it need to be seen and heard. An invisible, yet perceptible, voice of raw reality.

Help expand this research by mentioning an artist or media outlet in the comments that you think might fit into these categories ♡