Argumentative Formal Letter

16th July 2021.

Dear Mr. Adams,

I read your article “Today’s Music is Terrible” about the absolute piteous and vapid music today and cannot help but disagree with the outlandish statements that seem to baselessly criticise an art form today’s world thrives on.

Music is a creative medium; an expression of inner self; a way of connecting with listeners that should not be controlled by absurd regimental dictates such as an artist should ‘play instruments, compose, write and sing songs all by themselves.’ The 21st century revolves around specialisation. It is the exact reason there is no other Michael Jackson, nor Chuck Berry and one Elton John. Music is not an assembly line manufacturing unit; it is the melodious rendition of an artist who turns music into the gentle whispers of a breeze. Artists, today, are singularly passionate and specialised in one realm of music be it composition, music production or the vocals and that is why you have singers like Rihanna who through the range in her voice can give an uplifting experience to the listeners and for the very same reason you have Max Martin who makes poetic lyrics by himself. They are no different from their yesterselves like Queen, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan who created a niche market for themselves.

You unjustifiably target the lyrics characterising them “stupid”, but I beg to differ. Language along with society has evolved over generations; While Shakespeare used “thy” and “thou” today we use “you” and “yours”. While love in the 20th century was expressed as eternal in songs like “This Magic Moment” ;however, the expression has become more physical in the 2017 chart buster “Shape of you”. Change in language reflects the change in society and these songs have been on the top of music countdown charts for weeks. Criticising them indirectly judges people’s discerning taste in music.

In your article artists have been claimed as ‘marketing geniuses’ instead of ‘artistic geniuses’ as though they committed blasphemy. Just like any other industry, the music industry has also faced competition from its stakeholders, forcing everyone to up their game and take a slice of the marketing pie that will give them an unprecedented outreach and edge. Nothing wrong with it. The internet, award shows like Billboards and Grammy, social media, podcasts and FMs are just tools used to acknowledge the most talented and reach out to the audience. Artists do not create music for their own ears. For art to be appreciated there must be a consumer. In modern parlance it may be considered marketing but to me it is the fruition of an artist's sweat, blood and tears.

Various contradictions have been offered starting with the title where you claim ‘music today is terrible’ while also praising it in bits and pieces throughout the article. You ‘Appreciate the female pop genre by singing and dancing’ or you 'actually enjoy some songs’ are major discrepancies that show the article has been written on a whim with little to no research as your stand remains unclear. The self-contradiction fallacy takes away the validity of an important argument. Do you really think music today is that bad? Or is this article based on your own prejudices towards the music industry?

Regardless of whether the article is written by a professional or an amateur it fails to have a responsible use of language with harsh phrases such as ‘lampooned’ or ‘I think she is wasting it’ with reference to two famous singers Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande respectively. Ambiguous comments such as ‘artists are double faced’ or even going till the extent of calling them double-faced are misleading to the readers as they are not justified completely. You not only target the music but outright criticise famous artists which is quite scandalising. The constant diatribe towards their talent is basically dismantling the career all the years of toiling built and their private life have no relation to the quality of music. It is no one’s business what artists do off the microphone.

Music has found resonance with those fighting teenage angst, political upheaval, women’s rights irrespective of how terrible its quality may be. Loneliness and exclusivity are an issue today and songs are a chance to escape reality. Music is the most important form of art because it helps heal us from anguish, pain and even brings about emotions and memories, a feeling or relief, of satisfaction, ennobles the spirit. Even those who claim to dislike today’s music may find it enjoyable because that is what music does, it brings the world together.

Sincerely,

Hope Smith.