Pop albums are drowning in 'narrative.' What happens when we go in cold?

The piece surveys how contemporary pop albums lean more on narrative, using Lizzo and Imani Imani as case studies to illustrate broader industry trends. It notes Lizzo’s rise with Truth Hurts and 2019’s Cuz I Love You, then contrasts her current work, including the album Bitch and the track Too Nice, with a more wounded, defiant mood. Critics like Rawiya Kameir describe empowerment-centered music as having a broad social reach while shaping artist identity and storytelling.