The music styles from the ’90s and early 2000s, especially emo, pop-punk, and nu-metal, have seen a resurgence, particularly since the height of COVID-19. This revival makes sense because these genres emerged during times of political and social turmoil, helping young people express their feelings about the chaos around them. Today, these styles still fulfill that role while also bringing back a sense of nostalgia.
One teen band, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, has successfully embraced this gritty, retro aesthetic, seen in their viral song “Lego,” which was filmed entirely using a neighbor’s ring camera. In the music video, lead singer Maple Johns asks the homeowner for permission to use the camera for their project, to which the homeowner answers hesitantly. The band then performs a segment of their song, reflecting their influences from ’90s acts like Faith No More and Beastie Boys.
The video’s unique filming style gives it a distinct look that many viewers appreciated, with some recalling the vibe of punk rock stars like Paramore and Avril Lavigne. Viewers expressed their admiration for the creativity of today’s youth and the positive outlook for future music.
In the comments, the band noted that, like many teens during lockdown, they became fans of ’90s and early 2000s music videos and aimed to capture that style for their work. Since the release of “Lego,” Maple’s career has continued to progress. The 15-year-old artist revealed that the song was inspired by experiences of bullying on her school bus when she was 13. The video has gained over 55 million views on Instagram, which may make it the most-viewed Instagram Reel by an Australian artist.
Maple signed with New World Artists for live performances, participated in Australia’s Good Things Festival, where she performed alongside acts like TOOL and Weezer, and made her debut at SXSW Sydney. She has also released a second single titled “Chorus” and received media attention from outlets such as Rolling Stone.
Pop-punk is known for its catchy tunes mixed with raw lyrics about feelings, heartbreak, and challenging the norm. “Lego” fits this mold, with Maple describing it as a “bully diss track.” She mentioned that the song is meant for anyone who has felt targeted and wants to stand up for themselves. Through writing this song, she found strength and aims to create a supportive community through her music.
Listeners can find “Lego” on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes.
What do you think about the return of ’90s music styles in today’s music scene?
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Source: Upworthy, by Heather Wake