Dr. Robin James’ Article in The Guardian

Dr. Robin James recently published “Toned down for what? How ‘chill’ turned toxic” in the British newspaper The Guardian. James’s article discusses the “replacement of the bombastic songs of the 00’s” with what she calls “tame romanticism and lukewarm pop.” Although these musical styles may seem more subtle and approachable to the general public, they tend to perpetuate gendered and racial stereotypes. James argues that the masculinity of these musical genres can be consumed as a “chill” form of masculinity in contrast to harmful “toxic masculinity,” both of which pose an equal threat.