To all the fans who feel disappointed about “Fix,” it’s okay if you aren’t feeling the new song. We all have musical preferences and being given something way different from what you were expecting can be a let down. However, leaving mean-spirited comments about how she “sold out” is not only demeaning but also unnecessary. The meaning of “selling out” as explained by Wikipedia is that it is a common idiomatic pejorative expression for the compromising of a person’s integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles in exchange for personal gain, such as money, and that in terms of music or art, selling out is associated with attempts to tailor material to a mainstream or commercial audience. Were her “integrity, morality, authenticity, or principles compromised in exchange for personal gain, such as money”? Did she change her material in order to tailor to a more mainstream audience? It’s hard to tell. But is she doing something out-of-character? No.
“How so?” you ask. Well, what we can go by is how this wasn’t just a recent development. (Julia had shown growth in her pop preferences.) What Julia herself tells us in her recent sit-down exclusive with Alternative Press about the reasonings behind her change is different. (Pop music became empowering to her.) What every Julia Pierce fan knew from their long wait is that she took her time with this which, if you think about it, most likely meant her change of direction is a big decision for someone who has only ever ventured into rock music. (Her pop reinvention would have been instant if it had been about the fame, striking when the Cherri Bomb iron is hot and all. It would have been easier for her to get signed back then due to her former band’s success. Imagine the controversy and publicity it would have generated if she had, as a former rock band frontwoman turned pop star.) What I can tell you is that musical elitism is pointless and high quality music can exist across genres. Listen, I might have been expecting rock music from Julia, but I ashamedly have more experience in pop music and in my point of view I can tell you that if Julia wanted to sell out, this is not the way to do it. Big choruses are way behind in pop music right now in favor of EDM breaks and bass drops and horn hooks à la Fifth Harmony (thoughin my opinion it’s not as “in” right now due to its overuse.) Right now, no one wants to “sound like Demi Lovato” (in reference to a Youtube comment comparison. I have nothing against her), it’s all about the Chainsmokers. It’s all about trap music, or trap-infused synth-pop, R&B, or the “tropical house” dance-pop that is now helping Justin Bieber make possibly the biggest music of his career as a defacto phoenix pop prince risen from the ashes of his previous and more recent immaturities. Pop rock has taken a backseat to these things. The rest have to conform, or else.
But “Fix” is none of those things. Keep in mind: Julia’s open-mindedness does not have to be interpreted as selling out yet. Respectfully bow out of her music if you don’t want what she has to offer. It’s your money. You are not at fault or a bad fan for wanting to spend it on something that is more in tune to your preferences. But don’t hit her with the door on your way out.
