Music Video: Postmodernism in music video

 Media Magazine Theory Drop - Postmodernism

Create a new blog post called 'Postmodernism in music video: blog tasks'. Read ‘The Theory Drop: Postmodernism’ in MM66  (p26). You'll find our Media Magazine archive here - remember you'll need your Greenford Google login to access. Answer the following questions:

1) How does the article define postmodernism in the first page of the article?

as a cultural movement that questions traditional structures, authority and accepted truths. It explains that postmodernism “distrusts all established philosophies and frequently experiments with the medium it is presented in.”

2) What did media theorist and Semiotician Roland Barthes suggest in his essay 'The Death of the Author'?

Barthes suggested in his essay The Death of the Author that a writer’s opinions, intentions, or interpretation of their own work are no more valid than anyone else’s interpretation. Readers are free to interpret a text however they choose

3) What is metatextuality?

 a text draws attention to the fact that it is a text and points to the process of its own creation

4) What is the repeated phrase on the cartoon on postmodernism on page 28?

Postmodernism is a cultural movement that distrusts all established philosophies and frequently experiments with the medium it is presented in.

5) How does postmodernism link to media representations and reality?

It links to media representations and reality by arguing that media only gives audiences a partial, mediated version of reality. As audiences become more aware of this, they begin to question what is “real” and what is constructed

Music video CSPs and postmodernism

Now apply postmodern ideas to our music video CSPs by answering the following questions:

1) How does the music video for Ghost Town incorporate elements of postmodernism?

The use of fragmented and stylised representation of Britain. The black and white cinematography, eerie urban settings and surreal editing create a sense of social collapse rather than a straightforward narrative. This reflects postmodernism’s tendency to reject traditional structures and present reality as unstable and chaotic. The video also mixes realism with symbolic imagery, making audiences question whether they are seeing a real social issue or an exaggerated media construction. 

2) What film genres are alluded to in the music video for Ghost Town? Which scenes in particular created these links?

It links to horror, film noir and apocalyptic film genres. The dark lighting and empty streets create horror and noir vibes, while the abandoned city looks like a disaster movie. The scenes of the band driving through deserted streets are especially important because they make society look lonely and collapsing.

3) How does Old Town Road use postmodern elements in its music video?

It uses postmodern elements by mixing cowboy culture with rap and modern humour. It combines old Western settings with modern language, fashion and music, to reflect the yee haw agenda.This makes the video playful and ironic, which is a key feature of postmodernism.

4) How does the Old Town Road music video reflect technological convergence and modern digital culture?  

It reflects technological convergence and digital culture because the song became famous through TikTok and internet memes. The video includes fast humour, references and remix culture that are common online. It shows how music, social media and internet culture now work together.

5) What do YOU think Lil Nas X was trying to say about reality and American culture in the music video for Old Town Road?

I think Lil Nas X was trying to show that American culture is based on media, performance and stereotypes. By making a Black cowboy the main character, he challenges traditional ideas about who belongs in country culture. The mix of old and modern settings also suggests that reality today is shaped by entertainment and internet culture.

A/A* extension reading: Medium article

Read this Medium article on the Postmodern Pop Artist. Do any of the ideas in this article apply to Old Town Road or Ghost Town? How? 

Old Town Road is postmodern because it mixes country and rap music, uses humour and became popular through TikTok and meme culture. This reflects the article’s idea that modern music is shaped by remix culture and digital media.

Ghost Town also links to the article because it uses music as social commentary. The song and video criticise unemployment and social decline in Britain, showing how postmodern artists use music to question society and challenge dominant ideas.