The music industry constantly evolves, shaped by new trends, emerging artists, and shifting audience preferences. Derek (Jiajun) Ouyang, a music business professional and songwriter, has played a significant role in the industry’s creative and business aspects. With experience working at major record labels, collaborating with internationally recognized artists, and curating successful marketing campaigns, his insights offer a valuable perspective on what lies ahead for pop music in 2025.

A Career Bridging Creativity and Business

Derek’s journey in the music industry began at a young age. He first gained recognition as the primary songwriter for Chinese pop artist 张钰琪 (Rachel Zhang), whose music has garnered millions of streams and widespread acclaim. Their collaborations resulted in three EPs, including “Moonlight,” which earned a spot on the Asian Pop Music Award Top 10 Chart. Rachel’s rise to prominence, fueled by successful performances on major Chinese talent shows, highlights Derek’s influence as a songwriter and creative partner.

Beyond songwriting, Derek has built a strong foundation in the business side of music. His early experience at NetEase Cloud Music, where he curated playlists with significant listener engagement, helped him develop music curation and audience development expertise. This experience led to roles at Atlantic Records, where he contributed to A&R and marketing efforts, scouting emerging talent, coordinating marketing campaigns, and supporting significant releases. Now at Warner Records, he continues collaborating with premier artists, playing a key role in producing projects shaping the modern music landscape.

Photo Courtesy: Derek Ouyang

Predictions for the 2025 Pop Music Landscape

Based on industry trends and experience, Derek anticipates several key developments in pop music for 2025.

1. Experimentation and Evolution in Pop Sounds

Artists like Charli XCX, Rina Sawayama, and PinkPantheress have introduced more experimental and futuristic elements into pop music. Distorted, glitchy, and chaotic beats will likely become more mainstream, blending with punk and early 2000s aesthetics. Alternative pop acts will continue incorporating hyperpop, drum & bass, and other innovative sounds into their music.

2. Short-Form Content Driving Pop Hits

Platforms like TikTok remain dominant in music discovery, influencing which songs gain viral success. Nostalgic samples, sped-up versions, and catchy soundbites will continue to shape pop trends. Interpolations of past hits have already demonstrated strong performance, and this approach is expected to remain a significant part of music production and marketing strategies.

3. The Continued Growth of Country Music

The recent success of artists such as Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, and Michael Marcagi suggests a sustained interest in country and folk-inspired sounds. Listeners are gravitating toward storytelling-driven music, and the genre’s crossover potential will likely expand as mainstream pop embraces elements of country songwriting and instrumentation.

4. The Influence of 2000s and 2010s Nostalgia

Genres such as electropop, dance-pop, and emo-pop from the early 2000s are seeing a resurgence. Artists known for these styles, including Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne, may re-emerge with music that taps into this nostalgic wave. Pop-rock could regain momentum as listeners seek familiar yet refreshed sounds.

5. The Globalization of Pop

International genres are playing a more significant role in shaping mainstream music. K-pop groups like NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, and Stray Kids are experimenting with new sounds and structures. Latin music continues to gain traction, with reggaeton, dembow, and regional Mexican influences reaching wider audiences. Afrobeats is expected to expand even further, influencing major pop acts worldwide. J-pop and City Pop elements may also gain more recognition outside Japan.

6. The Ongoing Popularity of Dance and House Music

Following the success of Beyoncé’s Renaissance and Drake’s Honestly, Nevermind, house, techno, and UK garage-inspired pop will remain in demand. Artists will incorporate club beats into their music, blending dance elements with pop vocals. Eurodance and ’90s-inspired dance-pop could see a revival, partly driven by social media trends.

7. Established Superstars Exploring New Directions

Major artists may take unexpected creative turns. Taylor Swift has the potential to experiment with an alternative or rock-oriented sound. Ariana Grande may shift toward a more mature, R&B or jazz-influenced direction. Beyoncé could focus on global music influences, while Drake may explore Afro-Caribbean or entirely new styles. Olivia Rodrigo’s evolution might lead her into a rock-heavy era, potentially collaborating with legendary rock musicians.

8. Concert Experiences Becoming More Immersive

Live performances are expected to become increasingly theatrical. Inspired by large-scale productions such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, artists will look to enhance the concert experience through immersive storytelling, advanced stage designs, and interactive elements. Virtual and augmented reality may play a bigger role in in-person and livestreamed events. The rise of digital concerts in spaces like Fortnite or Roblox could further transform how fans engage with live music.

9. Vinyl and Physical Releases Holding Strong

The demand for vinyl records continues to grow, with collectors driving interest in physical music formats. Special edition releases, exclusive vinyl variants, and deluxe packages appeal to fans seeking tangible connections to their favorite artists. While streaming remains dominant, physical formats offer an alternative experience that many listeners appreciate.

10. A Shift in Song Length Trends

Streaming platforms and social media have contributed to the popularity of shorter songs, with tracks under two minutes often achieving viral success. At the same time, some artists are experimenting with more extended compositions, aiming to create immersive musical journeys. Concept albums and extended storytelling formats may connect listeners deeper to music beyond short-form content.

Photo Courtesy: Derek Ouyang

Looking Ahead

As the music industry moves into 2025, the intersection of technology, creativity, and audience engagement will continue shaping the pop landscape. With a background in artistic and business-driven roles, Derek Ouyang remains at the forefront of these changes, working alongside industry leaders and emerging talents to bring new music to the world. His insights provide a compelling look at where pop music is headed, reflecting listeners’ evolving tastes and expectations worldwide.

Published by Tom W.