The Adolescentia Project explores music consumption, self-discovery, media culture, and memory through autoethnographic essays on albums from 1980-2010, shedding light on the shifting relationship between music and identity and the role of musical memory in cultural remembering.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2024
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Music, adolescence, and identity are explored in the Adolescentia Project through autoethnographic essays on albums that shaped our adolescence spanning three decades (1980-2010). The collection offers valuable insights into music culture, identity, and adolescence by examining the changing relationship between music and identity, the role of musical memory, and the act of cultural remembering. By analyzing influential albums, we gain a deeper understanding of the impact of popular culture on identity construction and the lasting effects of these formative musical experiences.

Music, Adolescence, and Identity: The Adolescentia Project

Music, adolescence, and identity are complex and multifaceted aspects of human experience that have been the focus of numerous studies and cultural analyses. The Adolescentia Project is a collection of autoethnographic essays that explore music consumption, self-discovery, media culture, and memory through the lens of albums that shaped our adolescence during three decades (1980-2010). The music industry and socio-cultural identity landscapes in the United States underwent significant changes during this period, making it an ideal time to examine the relationship between music and identity.

Expanding Our Knowledge of the Shifting Relationship between Music and Identity

One of the primary goals of the Adolescentia Project is to expand our knowledge of the shifting relationship between music and identity. By using historical methods to examine changes in music culture and socio-cultural landscapes from 1980 to 2010, we can gain a deeper understanding of how music has influenced and shaped our identities. The essays in the collection explore a wide range of musical genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music, and examine how these genres have been used to express and communicate different aspects of our identities.

Interrogating the Role of Musical Memory and the Act of Cultural Remembering

Another important aspect of the Adolescentia Project is the interrogation of the role of musical memory and the act of cultural remembering. Musical memory is a powerful tool that allows us to connect with our past and to understand our identities. The essays in the collection include autoethnographic reflective essays that chart contributors' experiences of understanding and performing self through a particularly formative album of their adolescence. These essays provide a unique perspective on the role of music in shaping our identities and the ways in which we remember and interpret our past.

Critiquing the Act of Music Consumption in Relation to Identity Construction and Cultural Remembering

Finally, the Adolescentia Project critiques the act of music consumption in relation to identity construction and cultural remembering. Music consumption is a ubiquitous activity that plays a significant role in our lives. However, the way in which we consume music can have a significant impact on our identities and the way in which we remember our past. The essays in the collection examine the ways in which music consumption can be used to reinforce or challenge our identities and the ways in which it can be used to create and maintain cultural memories.

Influential Albums and Their Impact on Identity Construction and Cultural Remembering

The Adolescentia Project includes a wide range of influential albums that have had a significant impact on identity construction and cultural remembering. These albums include "Nevermind" by Nirvana, "Thriller" by Michael Jackson, "The Bodyguard" by Whitney Houston, and "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd. These albums have been widely recognized for their cultural significance and have been used to express and communicate different aspects of our identities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Adolescentia Project is a valuable collection of autoethnographic essays that explore music consumption, self-discovery, media culture, and memory through the lens of albums that shaped our adolescence during three decades (1980-2010). By expanding our knowledge of the shifting relationship between music and identity, interrogating the role of musical memory and the act of cultural remembering, and critiquing the act of music consumption in relation to identity construction and cultural remembering, the collection offers valuable insights into the role of popular culture in identity construction and the long-term impact of these formative musical experiences.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031552168