That's the key here; 'mainstream' music. Simply put, that is just one tiny world out there, it just gets the most money and promotion. But we get this inflated idea that it's the majority of stuff out there and it just isn't.
There's a whole other argument that mainstream music isn't worse at all and I I am actually inclined to believe it, despite hating it myself, but there were some utter dog shits in the 80's and so on, too. One point is, though we have simplified harmonically and lyrically - traditional values we consider as 'good', we are focusing more now on texture; colour, tone. The quality and range of unique sounds has proliferated and the art of creating those sounds is something most of us don't know how to appreciate. But as someone who knows, I'm often impressed. But yeah that's a whole other debate.
As for 2020 quality, well... as you can see in the other debate in this chat, that's totally subjective so I couldn't presume to know.
But, some very new stuff I've been enjoying:
GoGo Penguin is pretty great trio with some new content. some kinda... jazz electronic... thing. Just listen.
Jacob Collier (in post) has his latest album 'Djesse volume 2' and is relating 3&4 soon
Bon Iver has been releasing some new stuff
Jonsi for some post-rock, has finally released more content
And one more drop, I like to find new creators through these Jazzhop Cafe streams
And for contrast, Dustin Tebbutt has some new stuff too
There's a world out there's I'm barely scratching the tip of a hair, though. It's fun to discover =)
I'm old school. ( I was a grunt that worked backstage at many live sets, back in the 90's)
There is something magical about a "random" group of musicians that are capable of performing well together on a live stage that still impresses me.
I've sat through plenty of "dog shit" performances in every decade, from the 80's up until the present.
The technology that is available now can make anyone sound passable, compared to what was available in the 80's and every decade prior.
It used to be that records had to be cut in "one take" live to tape. (that's a skill that appears to be in serious decilne. especially among larger groups of musicians)
Modern studio magic is impressive, yet I miss the massive Ray Charles type big band productions, with everyone super focused on giving an impressive performance.
I'll check out your recommendations, I'm already familiar with a few of them.
I think again there's still an endless supply of what you speak, but the mainstream considers ed sheeran super talented because he can play guitar and sing at the same time. Insufferable. But you just watch, say, Tigran Hamasayan play piano and beatbox in utterly bizarre unheard of rhythms and time signatures, and you can easily get your mind blown!
Basically, like your video above, we need to bring back to jazz elements in our lives, be it ska like the above, funk or fusion. That's where it's all at. Those I follow who incorporate jazz into various fusions create some of my favourite music of all time.
Jazz is all about the freedom, its the purest form of musical expression that I am aware of.
It mixes well with just about anything!
I'll switch off anything that sounds dehumanizing, most "manufactured" mainstream is mostly just noise masquerading as music. (Kenny G ISN'T music, its a sonic weapon.)
Tigran Hamasayan play piano and beatbox
That is a true jazzhead, they ALL do that, listen carefully to any serious jazz musician, and they all are scatting along with whatever is going on in their mind, sometimes you hear it on Art Blakey recordings etc.
Its not new!
Oh i know it's not new, but the complexity of what he does is. The things he experiments with have people rushing to analysis and discussions on how its even done... super interesting.
But yeah I think we're definitely on the same page here. Stop quantizing everything!
Its called "pushing the boundaries" its a part of the human experience.
Superhuman raw natural talent is often a prerequisite.
He "feels" something, puts into context, it may be complex to us, and it might be simple for him.