Although pop music generally has a narrow dynamic range, the current crop of pop music underwent severe limiting. There really is quite an audible difference between current pop and pop music within the past 30+ years. Back in the 80s up to the early 90s, you can find pop music with average volumes that were relatively low with very dramatic transient peaks so the percussion sounded very punchy. There is none of that now. Ironically, you'll hear more dynamic range from an old pre-recorded cassette compared to the average digital download. In fact, if you compare the dynamic range from old and carefully made (calibrated for bias and level) homemade cassettes using noise reduction, there isn't even a comparison. Of course, the cassette format is an unfashionable and forgotten dinosaur.
But there is no question that melodic arrangement and structure are dying. When was the last time you've heard a melodic bridge. The last time I can remember was the 80s. Now you have a few repetitive notes and nearly all new pop artists sing with the same lingo, accent and voice. It's all very simple and disposable.
