Various music genres have swept through the decades, creating massive waves of trends excitedly embraced by music lovers of different generations.
One of the latest such phenomena is whisper pop. Contrary to the powerful belting of vocal powerhouses like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, whisper pop takes on a more subdued note. It is soft, breathy, intimate, and melancholic.
This is certainly not your typical pop music: There are no upbeat rhythms or loud catchy choruses. You are also unlikely to hear its tunes at any house parties.
Whisper pop is an acquired taste. Its low, close-mic’d singing, with audible breaths and lip smacks, is a unique vocal style that’s pretty laid-back. The quiet, subtle delivery of its lyrics conveys vulnerability, intimacy, and deep emotion, as if letting you in on a secret.
This minimalist style is increasingly popular among younger generations, who prefer to lean into music rather than get carried along by fads.
Some musicians have done exceptionally well in winning the hearts of whisper pop fans. Here are five.
1. Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams may be the daughter of filmmaker J. J. Abrams and producer Katie McGrath. But she has built a name for herself with her laid-back indie, whisper pop vocals all on her own.
She started writing and singing quietly in her bedroom to prevent anyone outside from hearing. According to Gracie, this led to her signature whispering style, for which she later became famous.
Clearly, Gracie’s delicate whispering notes are rooted in her shyness as a youngster, which adds an element of authenticity and vulnerability that her audience resonates with. Fan-favorites that propelled her to stardom, like That’s So True, I Love You, I’m Sorry, and Good Luck Charlie, give you a glimpse into the relatability of not just her lyrics but also her intimate, emotional bedroom pop style. Her music will put you at ease and make you feel heard and understood in a deeply therapeutic way.
2. Billie Eilish
“You don’t have to be shouting to be good at singing,” quipped Billie Eilish at an interview with Vanity Fair, only two years into her music career in 2019, defending her whisper pop style.
Most of her tracks carry a signature soft, dark, and raw vibe that is artistic yet unfiltered. This has drawn criticism at times, especially early in her career. But Billie’s impressively controlled, subdued notes have been able to build a significant following for her.
This is evident in her musical success. Don’t Smile at Me, Billie’s debut EP, was a commercial hit in several countries. And her first studio album (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?) topped the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Charts. At age 25, her accomplishments include nine Grammys, eight MTV Video Music Awards, and twenty Guinness World Records, among others.
3. Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe’s soothing, laid-back vibe and her quietly reassuring, introspective, and conversational style (often exploring topics close to her heart) that’s deeply relatable will get you instantly hooked on her haunting, melancholic music. One thing is for sure: She keeps it real, and you can feel it right throughout her singing.
“…the album was just me. That’s what I sound like,” the 31-year-old star once told the Michigan Daily about Stranger in the Alps, her debut solo album. It is no surprise that it went on to win critical acclaim (so did her second album, Punisher).
Phoebe’s authentic whisper music has won her four Grammys, a Brit Award, an AIM award, and several Libera Awards. If you are new to her music, Moon Song, Smoke Signals, Garden Song, and Savior Complex are some of the tracks you may want to check out.
4. Laufey
The Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey is known for her unique voice and musical style, which beautifully blends several genres to create a nostalgic twist of whisper pop, jazz, and classical infusions. Her vintage charm, dreamy soft tunes, and romantic lyricism will surely keep you entranced till the end.
Laufey’s authentic musical narratives have catapulted her to stardom, starting with her first album, Everything I Know About Love, which appeared on several music charts in both the U.S. and Iceland. Her second album, Bewitched, won a Grammy and included the single From the Start, which went viral upon release, with 1 million streams in under 24 hours.
Songs like Falling Behind, Valentine, Beautiful Stranger, and Let You Break My Heart Again are constantly featured in whisper pop playlists for their soft, melancholic, and somewhat eccentric vocals.
5. Lana Del Rey
The musical genius of Lana Del Rey has inspired millions of fans as well as other musicians in the whisper pop genre.
“For the (whisper pop) trend’s real genesis we probably need to look back to 2010 and the arrival of Lana Del Rey with a style that combined the delivery of dark, expressive storytelling with a sense that she might be wondering whether she’d remembered to lock the bathroom window,” wrote Peter Robinson in The Guardian, describing her influence on the genre.
Lana is widely recognized as a pioneer of whisper pop. Her music is poetic, expressive, and authentic. Her knack for musical storytelling and her ability to create a strong connection with fans are evident in songs like Video Games, Summertime Sadness, A&W, Say Yes to Heaven, and Young and Beautiful.
To Wrap Things Up
Unlike traditional pop music, whisper pop isn’t loud, catchy, or in-your-face. It is subdued, hushed, controlled, breathy, moody, and laid-back. It’s the kind of tune you would sing to yourself in solitude, whether you are happy or feeling down. Whisper music is expressive, conversational, intimate, and authentic, which has made it appealing to the younger audience.
If you are new to this genre, start with music by Gracie Abrams, Billie Eilish, Phoebe Bridgers, Laufey, and Lana Del Rey. These singers keep it real with their raw, honest vocals and are sure to get you hooked on their powerful and relatable lyrics.
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