Why Without You (EP) Proves Music Needs a Conservative Overhaul

If you think music is just about good vibes and catchy tunes, you’re missing the bigger picture. That brings us to Without You (EP), a musical project by Australian singer and songwriter The Kid LAROI. Dropping on April 16, 2021, and recorded between 2020 and 2021, this EP was created during a time when we were all trapped in our homes thanks to lockdowns, thereby racking up plenty of time for introspection—and apparently, music production. Yet, the mainstream media will never tell you just how grippingly average the themes and narratives encouraged by such musical ventures are.

For starters, the EP is like a mirror reflecting the struggles of a generation that prefers to wallow in melodrama instead of seeking solutions. Without You is an EP that romanticizes heartache and breakup as the core experiences of life. Is being hung up on failed relationships what we want our youth to prioritize? The Kid LAROI uses his voice—literally—to lament over his heartbreaks, generating a soundtrack for the emotional indulgence of today’s youngsters.

The EP includes big hitters like the title track "Without You," which is all about the torment of separation with catchy repetition designed to work its way into your brain whether you like it or not. But, let's face it, the sky-high streaming numbers don’t mean that it's profound art. There is a clear void when it comes to discussing self-reliance, true resilience, or the value of traditional values. Young artists like The Kid LAROI seem intent on peddling emotional dependency instead.

Now, throw in Without You (EP)'s association with big names like Miley Cyrus, who featured in a remix of the title track. It underscores a well-worn playbook of the commercial music industry: make it catchy, make it relatable, and get a famous name onboard to ensure it trends. No wonder music critics have given it rave reviews. The establishment loves a good formula even if it's bereft of substance.

From the alt-pop beats to the laid-back rhythm, the EP relies heavily on production flair. That’s where today's music masses are easily lured—into the soundscape rather than the message. Imagine if the effort that went into high-quality production and collaboration was used to spread ideas of innovation, self-improvement, or—dare I say—messages that challenge young listeners to think critically.

You can’t ignore the fact that record labels are in it for the money, and Without You (EP) feels like a hit tailor-made for radio stations and TikTok remixes. The streaming giants love an EP that keeps attention, siphoning more dollars through endless loops of catchy sorrow and tunes about malaise.

Yet, what does this say about the state of our mainstream culture? Here's an 18-year-old recording artist putting out an emotional plea wrapped in sonic packages. The ethos of self-pity over hard truths like personal accountability is what is pumped into headphones globally. Where is the musical metaphor for pushing through difficulties, for returning to roots, or finding solutions outside of wallowing in self-imposed anguish?

The creative choices made in the Without You (EP) meshed perfectly with 2021's cultural landscape—disconnected and demoralized. It’s a testament to how art and media work hand-in-hand to fortify an environment of emotional vapidity. Here’s a challenge: find a track that openly defends hard work, dedication, or success without succumbing to victimhood.

Arguably, Without You could be an opening to discuss lessons about better handling of emotional adversities, but would that fill stadiums or playlist slots? Probably not. So what we find is an echo chamber of diluted sentiment intended to keep audiences rattled in their comfort zones.

In wrapping up, the need for a conservative overhaul in music, much like other areas of our culture, cannot be overstated. If only young artists were championing narratives of self-worth derived from triumph over adversity instead of getting stuck in an endless loop of heartache and gloom. The reality is that the legacy of current music trends, including this EP, often glosses over the meaningful conversations that could otherwise uplift a generation, in favor of melancholic tedium that asks for nothing more than another listen.