The rise of surrealist pop: KATSEYE and ADÉLA

The music of global girl group KATSEYE might be confusing on first listen. A less-generous read might consider their songs to be rudimentary: the lyrics are mostly nonsense, the instrumentals evoke lesser 2010s pop songs, and the aesthetic can’t decide whether it’s targeted to children or adults. However, maybe the nonsensical nature of KATSEYE is also… the point? And maybe that point is tethered to early surrealist movements of the early twentieth century? On this episode of Switched on Pop, producer Reanna makes the case to Nate that KATSEYE and ADÉLA are indicative of a larger shift in pop music, one that tethers itself to Marcel Duchamp and the dada movement. CREDITS Reanna Cruz: Producer Iris Gottlieb: Illustrator Charlie Harding: Host, Executive Producer Dion Lee: Art Director Brandon McFarland: Audio Engineer Nick Ripps: Video Editor Nate Sloan: Host Lissa Soep: Editor Zach Tenorio & Jocie Adams: Theme Composers Switched On Pop is a co-production of Vox Media Podcast Network, Vulture, and Rock Ridge Productions. Link to Charlie and Nate’s live event with Jensen McRae at USC! Songs discussed: The Lonely Island, Emma Stone – Turn Up The Beef KATSEYE – Gnarly KATSEYE – Animal KATSEYE – Hootie Frutti KATSEYE – PINKY UP Fifth Harmony – I’m In Love With a Monster Portugal. The Man – Feel It Still Britney Spears – Toxic Britney Spears – Circus Da Hool – Meet Her at the Loveparade Little Richard – Tutti Frutti ADÉLA – Ain’t In La Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop ADÉLA – Nicole Kidman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices