7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
From Swiftie lore to BTS deep dives: The best books for the Gen Z who lives & breathes music
If there is one generation that embodies the phrase 'a beat in my heart and a song on my lips,' it is Gen Z. Whether on the metro, in a cab, doing household chores, or even filing monotonous paperwork at work, this generation moves through life to the rhythm of their soundtrack. With curated playlists for every mood and an ever-present pair of earbuds, music is bow a lifeline, a companion, and a form of self-expression. From the introspective lyricism of Taylor Swift to the genre-defying sounds of BTS, here are five books that music enthusiasts might like to add to their bookshelves or audiobook libraries:
A year after the release of The Tortured Poets Department, The Taylor Swift Book by Malcolm Mackenzie stands out as an ambitious attempt to codify the legacy of one of this generation's most influential cultural figures. Originally released in Kindle format in 2024, the book was marketed as the 'ultimate guide' to Swift's music, evolution, and myth-making. True to its promise, it offers a sweeping overview of Swift's career: from her early days as Nashville's teen prodigy to her present-day status as a global tastemaker, mogul, and lyrical auteur. It's not an authorised biography, but is part discography, part cultural commentary, part fan encyclopedia. Organised around albums and 'eras,' Mackenzie traces Swift's sonic experimentation: from country twang to synth-pop, indie folk to literary pop noir. The book's standout features include detailed breakdowns of Easter eggs, lyrical references, and song-by-song analyses It also touches on her fashion evolution, music video symbolism, and political outspokenness, giving readers a panoramic view of the artist not just as a performer, but as a cultural architect. If there's a limitation, it is that the book occasionally leans more celebratory than critical.
Foor uses the artist's 2024 Met Gala appearance as a focal point to explore Dosanjh's rise from rural Punjab to international recognition in music, film, and fashion. The biography outlines Dosanjh's early struggles, entry into the Punjabi music industry, transition to Bollywood, and his increasing global profile. It also includes commentary on his public image, religious identity, and approach to style. The sections on the Met Gala provide behind-the-scenes context and consider how Dosanjh's appearance was received both within South Asian communities and the broader public.
Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS was released in 2023 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the internationally popular K-pop band's debut. Now, two years on, the book merits a revisit as Suga (Min Yoongi), the last of the group members serving South Korea's mandatory military service has been discharged. Now, all seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—have officially completed their national duties, and fans are eagerly waiting for their next project. Written by veteran K-pop journalist Myeongseok Kang, Beyond the Story was the first authorised chronicle of BTS's rise, spanning pre-debut struggles, chart-topping triumphs, and cultural impact. Structured in seven parts and compiled from over three years of interviews and archival reporting, the book eschews the gloss of celebrity for candour as members often without cameras or makeup. The book also leans into BTS's digital-native identity, with over 330 QR codes linking to trailers, music videos, and behind-the-scenes content. Pairing narrative with audiovisual memory, the book offers an immersive experience.
Author William K Jones offers a chronicle of the artist's meteoric rise, from SoundCloud anonymity as Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini to viral stardom, Grammy wins, and cultural ubiquity. Released in May 2024, the book arrived at a time when Doja Cat has leaned further into subversion, stylistically, sonically, and personally. The title gestures at transformation, and Jones takes readers through the artist's many phases: the pastel-glossed pop darling of 'Say So', the darker, genre-fusing provocateur of 'Scarlet', and the internet-native icon whose career is as shaped by memes and controversy as it is by chart performance. What the book does best is document the work behind the spectacle. Through interviews and reported vignettes, we see how singles such as 'Juicy,' 'Kiss Me More,' and 'Attention' came to be. It also addresses personal elements, the struggles with fame, clashes with fan culture, and digital spats. Visually, the book is a feast. Behind-the-scenes photos, fan art, and stage shots make this a tactile experience, more coffee-table keepsake than traditional biography.
Written by cultural critic and journalist Miles Marshall Lewis, the book offers a portrait of the Pulitzer Prize–winning rapper as a chronicler of a generation's inner life. Lamar, a Compton, California native raised amid gang violence and West Coast legacy, has been deeply rooted in Black American storytelling. Lewis traces his journey not just through biography, but through his poetry, dissecting the literary and sociopolitical forces at play in albums such as good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. Interwoven with commentary from figures such as Ta-Nehisi Coates and Alicia Garza, the book reads like a conversation between Kendrick's music and the cultural moment that shaped, and was shaped by, it. Visually, the book is striking: dense with lyric excerpts, graphic design flourishes, and photographs that situate Lamar as a cultural icon.
