’s “Take My Breath,” aren't built around guitar sounds, so songs like “Good 4 U” and “Beggin’” can naturally diversify a top 40 radio block.
“It’s always been an initiative to make sure that we’re well-balanced with all genres,” says Tear. “It’s an exciting time, because now it seems like we don’t have to dig as deep to find [that balance], and that it’s more at the forefront of people’s attention.” Tear believes that there are more rock crossover songs on the way: he’s keeping a close eye on Sueco’s anthemic scream-pop single “Paralyzed,” as well as genre-straddling artists like Role Model and Almost Monday. Lil Huddy and YUNGBLUD -- both Machine Gun Kelly collaborators that have found success at alternative formats -- may also be primed for their own pop moments, and Willow “is also coming onto the scene” with her recent pivot to rock, says Tear.
Regardless of the specific songs and artists that continue the trend, pop program directors likely won’t hesitate incorporating more rock-based songs into their rotations, if the past few months have been any indication. Calder says that, in the streaming age, no listeners place their favorite new songs into “format boxes” -- and neither should radio programmers.
“The beauty of pop radio, in my opinion, is that we’re designed to wobble back and forth with the music cycle,” says Calder. “When things get more rhythmic, we go more rhythmic. When things go more pop-rock, we go more pop-rock. We’ve got to be where the people are.”
neither maneskin nor olivia rodrigo are rock. system of a down, megadeth, periphery, slayer - that is rock. metal even.