u/ladystardustonmarzz

Let me get this clear, I am not claiming to know every artist in the industry. That is why I am making this post so hopefully by tomorrow I'll have some new appreciation of todays artists. I am autistic so it's been very difficult for me to get out of the lifelong hyperfixation of the era that my mind is clearly stuck in. But I want to start giving other artists a chance. When an artist dies it's hard for me to listen to them without feeling intense grief so I want to surround myself with creativity of this time and not just the past.

David Bowie, Kate Bush, Thomas Dolby, Robert Plant, Robert Smith, Peter Murphy, (and hear me out) Danny Elfman all fit into a similar category of creativity where they transport you to a different dimension of their world. Are there any artists of todays music that manage to do that but into the similiar vibe as any of them?

I don't want to be left with AI music, industry plants and radio friendly copy and paste in 30 or so years when these precious artists are gone. Yes there are artists that try to emulate these artists but not many who have that I have noticed that have that layer of depth to transport you.

The only artists I can think of that emerged of the past 20 years that I can compare at all would be Connan Mockasin/Soft Hair and Mac Demarco. Tame Impala is notable because Kevin is some other level of genuis that is untouchable but there is a level of vulnerability that I feel lacks in his music. He is one of the most popular artists of today and I find it hard to connect with him in the same way as Mac Demarco. When I listen to Mac I feel like I am listening to friend tell a story, but Tame Impala almost feels cold from the perfectionism.

Going to a different kind of vibe but Thundercat and Tyler, the Creator are two of the other most creative men in the industry of the past 20 years. Any recommendations of artists that go to their level of innovation too will be greatly appreciated.

Also Zero 7 is pretty transporting but most of their music relies on whoever works on the specific track. Kind of like Gorillaz.

I want to know who I can expect I can still see in concert still 30 years when everyone else is gone and I am left with the dread of grieving an era. Obviously can't predict who will still be alive, but you know what I mean.

When I look up artists similar to Bowie of the past 20 years I get Lady Gaga and Harry Styles. I won't say anything further but...hmm...

EDIT: To the person that just DM'd me saying Aurora that's honestly a great suggestion. I'll be deep diving her!!!

Does anyone relate?

I have loved Bowie since I was 5 so literally 21 years. The day he died I went into such a deep depression for a few weeks but I was able to listen to him again after for many years. Now I can't listen to him without crying or feeling a deep pit in my stomach or an intense feeling of dread that I can never experience him in the 70's 80's and that every year we are getting further and further from that magical time. I feel like this is a part of grief that ended up being prolonged. My heart hurts so much when I just think of him.

I was desperate for an artist to help me get over the grief and I discovered Peter Murphy. Peter Murphy loves Bowie just as much as I do and his influence from him was just magical enough for Peter to say that Bowie gave him a handful of stardust. Such a beautiful way to put it. But now Peter has health problems and I am so afraid of losing him too. I never thought I'd love an artist in almost the same way as Bowie again and I am so afraid of grieving again. I know this is like dramatic because to some people they are just celebrities but to me they are what has gotten me through life.

Also I still can't bring myself to listen to Blackstar. I have tried to start so many times. But I currently can't even listen to Ziggy Stardust without crying so how am I going to get through BlackStar? There's also something comforting about knowing there is one Bowie album left that I've never heard... and maybe one day the right time will come where I am called to it.

Other artists that have helped me get through this whole time have been Thomas Dolby, Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, Robert Plant and Robert Smith. Listening to them knowing they are alive and healthy is comforting.