THE RISE OF LO-FI MUSIC DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
For the majority of creative fields, the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has been a massive hindrance to their livelihoods as concerts, festivals, and simply being able to visit a creative space feels like a distant memory. However, one genre has rapidly grown during this time, Lo-fi music.
Lo-fi or low-fidelity music first gained popularity in the ’90s as DIY music that was produced on computers and vintage recorders. What sets Lo-fi music apart as a genre is that you can hear the imperfections that are usually considered errors during the recording process. Background noises such as leaves rustling, a dog barking, children playing and even people having a conversation are intentionally recorded and left in the final cut. These ‘mistakes’ have become an integral part of the experience of lo-fi music. These ‘background noises’ are added on top of hip-hop beats, and edits are often slowed down and soften creating this growing genre.
As lo-fi music is typically considered a bedroom genre in which all you need is a laptop to create it. It has become a creative outlet for many during the pandemic when they were confined to, well, their bedrooms. Not only did the creation of genre see a rapid increase but so did the listenership. Youtube channel Chilled Cow has over 6.7 million subscribers. The channel averaged 350,000 new subscribers a month during 2020 which is over an 100% increase to 2019. The Spotify playlist Lo-fi Beats has gained over 3.5 million followers and continues to grow.
But why are people suddenly obsessed with the growing genre? Michael Viega, a music therapist at Montclair State University, has been using lo-fi music to help patients acclimate to new and stressful environments. Viega has been putting sounds that are familiar to his patients on top of calming hip-hop beats. The music creates not only a familiar environment but one that is also confronting and nostalgic for the listener.
Pre-Covid, the genre has been popular among students as the music blends into the background and helps them to focus becoming commonplace in libraries but not reaching too far off of campus’. However, lo-fi has become more mainstream as the stresses of everyday life are amplified, and the need for a calming escape has never been more prevalent. The combination of the imperfections and chilled nature of the beats helps to soothe anxieties at a time where everything is so uncertain.
I had been exploring the genre pre-covid during my studies having found it on a study site and again more recently during the pandemic. I find the beats comforting and relaxing, and they help me to focus and unwind. I have created my own playlist of my favourite lo-fi beats. I highly recommend giving them a listen the next time you are feeling stressed, anxious or are struggling to focus. I think the genre will continue to grow and expand during this uncertain time and I for one welcome it.
My playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/09vVOooWZpcuRPzUyiXE2N?si=iK-x7f3DR425MhHMbZ2usA
Bibliography:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/why-lo-fi-music-draws-listeners-in
https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCSJ4gkVC6NrvII8umztf0Ow
WHO THE HELL IS K.K. SLIDER?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) on the Nintendo Switch is one of the best selling games of 2020. The game involves the player becoming the mayor of a deserted island and slowly building it up and paying off business mogul Tom Nook. The game’s popularity is due to impart its ability for players to travel to other islands and visit friends, helping fill the 2020 travel void. One of the game’s central characters is a dog/musician named K.K. Slider.
Totakeke Slider, commonly known as K.K. Slider is a travelling musician who is featured in all of the games in the Animal Crossing series spanning close to two decades. In ACNH Slider is talked about throughout the story portion of the game promising that he will pay a visit to your island once you complete a set of tasks and upgrades. Once completed Slider will appear on your island every Saturday evening to play an acoustic set for you and your islanders. During his set, he chats to the islanders who are often seen rocking out to his hits and even takes requests.
K.K.’s music is available for purchase in the in-game store. It can be played on radios throughout your home and island. Although K.K. would rather his music was heard for free stating “Those industry fat cats try to put a price on my music, but it wants to be free”. Some of his greatest hits include K.K. Crusin’, Go K.K Rider, Agent K.K. and fan favourite Bubblegum K.K.. The songs have racked up millions of hits on Youtube and have been popping up on Spotify. The genre transcending musician has covered genres from pop to rock to blues to dance to classical and more. Slider even spent a stint as his alter ego D.J. K.K.. K.K. is the master of covers. He can be found covering global hits such as The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights and Travis Scott and Drakes Sicko Mode as well as classics such as Earth, Wind and Fire’s September and Toto’s Africa.
So to answer the question; Who the hell is K.K. Slider? K.K. is a musical legend that will go down in video game history for his hippie attitude, genre-transcending hits and ability to adapt to the times. No one knows what is next for the Jack Russell, but one thing is for sure, he will not be forgotten.