the one word that's ruining music

[@MicTheSnare]

Mid The Snare (I haven’t watched the video)

[@adedhuman9582]

Don't worry I'll watch it for you

[@SoloSlater]

Mid The Snare (I watched one second into the video)

[@rike94]

Why do you only make videos about music with lyrics in English? What about asian, south american, african, etc.? Imagine how many great songs you miss just because you don't understand at first the lyrics. If you do listen, use your platform to advocate to the power of music of the world.

[@sussy-chungus-6000]

daddy

[@M0b1us_118]

I’m going to be “rude” and just ask wtf happened to your thumb at around 3:10? It looks like your thumb is completely mangled.

[@brokengirrafe]

L + mid + ratio + disliked + you’re a nerd + the part about “mid” music reminding us of our own personal failings and the trappings of our society really got to me. Music has the power to temporarily make us forget about the hellhole we live in, and I assume that when we see our real fears start to leak into our own mental bubble, we get defensive. Music itself doesn’t have the power to change the conditions of our world, but it can inspire people to start looking for solutions to build a better future + unsubscribed + mid

[@Tinytunes-25]

You are the chosen one.

[@Wackaz]

The whole "L + mid + ratio" thing is the worst part of Generation Z. Twitter is a cesspit of toxicity and mindnumbing infantilism.

[@drewdrinks3930]

@@Wackaz ratio 🤓

[@davidshatti2023]

ratio

[@liteflightify]

“Mid” is the one most closely associated with arrogant, douche-bag, low vocab, low wit straight-presenting guys who get off on being dismissive. None of it contribute anything to any conversation. Almost every time someone uses these words/terms I get a Beavis and Butthead image.

[@iammatthewdavid03]

Mid has not only ruining the music discourse, it has also ruining movie discourse. I only know one truth. It’s time for the use of mid to end.

[@Tinytunes-25]

Mid is perfectly fine.

[@Frijolero18]

Giving an opinion that’s just “mid” is pretty mid tbh

[@Tinytunes-25]

Lol if anything, mid just got a popularity boost 😂😂

[@NothingBetterToDo]

IammatthewdavMID

[@dunnowy123]

Is it tho? I want to push back on this anti-mid narrative. Yes, it's overused. But there are truly a lot of mid things out there. We have so much content nowadays that it's more likely than not that it'll be mid

[@666slateran666]

I mean, mid is being used for everything not just music. Just art in general. Video games and movies also get mid applied to them.

[@guit4rguy]

Right. I hear it used in anime communities all the time.

[@lydiavalentino]

and most famously, the city of Cincinnati

[@Juli_is_Online]

That's just as bad

[@ColtMagyar]

I also hear it being used to talk about Anime and Manga, and I could care less about the people who use it.

[@philly_sports1558]

@@lydiavalentino MJF

[@KelseyHontz]

"the banal horror that is people loudly sharing their opinions online" can't believe you summed up the entire internet in one sentence, Mic!

[@Tinytunes-25]

That was Mid.

[@burgermind802]

@AllThatJazz My name is mid

[@getsmartquick]

What's wrong sharing your opinion that phrase implies there is only one right answer. The truth of the matter is this today's music sucks as well as art being it's pushing cultural Marxism thanks to Antoni gramsci concept of cultural hegemony where everything must be the same which leads to Cultural stagnation and easily influencing people the question becomes why is the mediocrity being pushed so heavily that's the real question

[@D1GItAL_CVTS]

Basically twatter

[@ianmcpeck424]

I'm a metalhead. I respect all music. Just because someone dislikes certain genres doesn't mean that they don't respect it. I wish more people had that mentality.

[@jackieburkhart3268]

i dont like metal. but i love the fanbase. im more into mainstream genres but gosh, sometimes i wish we had fans like metalheads. they're interesting, kind and not at all what the people make them out to be.

[@toledo_campos]

One thing I disagree is the "you criticize because you're jealous" argument (a formula similar and easily confusable to "what if what we don't like about music is what we don't like about ourselves"). Yes, the spammers that put "MID" on everything could be that, but extrapolating every criticism about others as a mirror to what we see about us is just minimizing what criticism could be. Cultural critique is important, and people should try it, and criticism is important when it's done fairly (no one is the judge to say criticism could be done "right"). The discourse is key to understand how communal any artistic manifestation is in this day and age, so we gotta be responsable and do it fairly. Thanks for the thoughts and analysis, Mr. T. Snare.

[@arus.2171]

I agree

[@Tinytunes-25]

See? You can actually write and use words effectively to express your ideas. Most people don't have this skill. Or have the time to address it and work at it.

[@Lonestardebater]

This is a great point! "The things we don't like about ourselves" concept can help us identify trolls and self-reflect on our own beliefs, but it doesn't give us license to dismiss every idea we don't already agree with.

[@malfoysass]

see how you actually wrote a detailed criticism about the video and not just called it mid.

[@Tinytunes-25]

@@malfoysassCalling it mid is fine too.

[@berkeleyisonline160]

i think when ppl call songs "ad music," i think they're really frustrated at good music becoming used for advertisements to the point that it ruins a song for them bc it reminds of them of having to watch ads. i think the hatred of it comes from the fact that we all hate ads and don't want music we like to be ruined by it. todd in the shadows' video abt thunder by imagine dragons makes a rly good point of this

[@M0b1us_118]

I agree. Although I think that some songs are called “ad music” is because they feel like they have a cheap production value and/or they’re not ear bleedingly bad or bangers.

[@berkeleyisonline160]

@@M0b1us_118 ya, i think the problem isn't songs being used for ads, but songs sounding like they were made to be put it in ads... but where that line is crossed is very subjective

[@M0b1us_118]

@@berkeleyisonline160 Makes sense to me. I appreciate you included Todd in the Shadows’ video about “Thunder.” I probably have to re-watch it again so I can see his point.

[@kanubow]

I literally just rewatched that video the other day, and yeah, I'll admit, it's a great point.

[@ramenai]

Another idea i've been thinking about in relation to this is how a lot of people value a piece of music being "genuine". The impression that the musician opening up about their own lives, thoughts, feelings, etc. through a particular piece of music has become a major selling point for a lot of people. A song can successfully be able to convey complex and diverse emotions and ideas, and when it becomes commodified, abstracted, and oversimplified (see tantacrul's video on BGMs for advertisements & reality show) to the point that it barely resembles what it originally represented, and instead, presents something manufactured, glossy, sanitized, and without innate value or nuance, it becomes a turn-off for many people as something so "diverse and full of life" has become "dumbed down" for mass market appeal. It becomes a mass-produced commodity: exploitable, artificial. It's elicits a similar reaction to how late 90s - 2000s bubblegum pop (e.g. Britney, Boy Bands, etc.) was seen by its detractors. I see it as being related to how being "home-made" rather than storebought is something a lot of people value, as well as how people don't want their individuality smushed out of them just to become "another cog in the hellish machine we call capitalism™️"

[@whokillediggy]

The fact that it sometimes totally replaces meaningful discussions is the most infuriating part. Just a one-word consensus and that’s it

[@666slateran666]

L

[@Tinytunes-25]

Right. What's the problem?

[@bronzewolf6464]

This. This is probably what bothers me the most about the word. It's the online discourse equivalent of plugging your ears and mocking the person talking to you

[@Tinytunes-25]

@@bronzewolf6464 That's not what the word is though. Mid is basically saying something is in between good and bad. It's mid. Average, subpar, decent, adequate, fair, ight, moderate, mediocre, humdrum. Or simply. . . .MID. 5

[@horriblehistoriesfanaccountie]

@@Tinytunes-25 but it’s interesting to discuss what makes it mid. Just calling something mid and having no other thoughts or arguments is boring.

[@Designed1]

People should start using the term "holographic meatloaf" to describe boring music more simply because it sounds funnier.

[@berkeleyisonline160]

that would be a cool band name too

[@gabe_s_videos]

I second this!

[@Tinytunes-25]

Too much typing. Mid is better

[@gabe_s_videos]

@@Tinytunes-25 Disagree.

[@Tinytunes-25]

@@gabe_s_videos You are allowed to disagree.

[@santoriomaker69]

I love all the "mid" puns. Applying it to any artist or band names (even to the ones I like) makes me giggle all the time.

[@-Jadon.]

Okay MidtorioMaker

[@User61918]

@@-Jadon. okay Dingamid Stingamid

[@dracoblood3786]

Your first name + mid

[@PhilCrossw]

@@User61918 ok Customid Character

[@todddavidson1332]

For me, a truly "mid" piece of music is something that technically has all the required pieces to be called a song, but is so banal and unmoving that it's the auditory equivalent of a boiled potato. I think what annoys me so much is that it almost feels wasteful, like someone put all this time and money into making a song--not an easy thing to do--but then couldn't fully complete it into something that actually makes an artistic statement. To go back to the boiled potato analogy, it's like how a potato needs all this time, sunlight, water, and soil to grow, then it has to be picked, loaded onto a truck, and sent to a store, and at the end of all that it doesn't even get seasoned or added to soup or anything, it just gets boiled. I guess I got a little sidelined by the potato analogy but I've made my point

[@armandoarmandonis9947]

Yeah like that. I don't like most of modern pop because there are FANTASTIC intros most of the times and good choruses aren't uncommon, but those then become just... ok? Like, I've "analyzed" many modern pop songs and 70% of the song is only a beat with almost unhearable bass and almost unhearable notes here and there. It isn't bad, at all, I know some rock songs that do things like that (Soul to Squeeze by RHCP is somewhat like that), but they're the exception and not the rule like in MANY pop songs. The fact that so many pop songs nowadays have so much in common that they seem almost factory-made is what makes so many of them "Mid", not good, not bad, just "song" P.S. obviously this isn't confined to pop music, it happens and has happened with many other genres.

[@hzoethetaco7492]

So… Breakfast at Tiffany’s by deep blue something

[@sebasg_arte_cultura]

No, no, the potato analogy is good. I think it's worse for an artistic piece to be boring than bad.

[@FamousByFriday]

@Clau-chau Nicol yes. I always thought of it like, “that’s mid” or “that band is okay, but there are so many better bands”. Somewhere along the way it’s lost all meaning… which probably means it’s not a useful word anymore.

[@CheesyHfj]

This video is complaining more about general online music discourse rather than the use of the word “mid”. I think using the word is just fine, but if people ask you to elaborate you should be able to sensibly explain why you think so; just like plainly calling something “good” or “bad” isn’t a very thorough expression of your opinion.

[@firstnamelastname7244]

I don't think the word "mid" itself is a problem, it's just a slang term for "mediocre." The problem is that online discourse has basically just been reduced to snappy one-liners thanks to shortform social media platforms like twitter and tiktok.

[@jameztheartist3893]

Right, got these niggas thinking they marvel protagonists n shit

[@Rhaifha]

Here's a life rule I remind myself of occasionally; "Don't yuck on other peoples yums". You don't have to like what other people like, but there's also no need to ruin their enjoyment of the thing. Whether that's food, music, movies, style, whatever. Just let people enjoy what they enjoy, even if it's "lame" or "basic", or "mid".

[@samfeinsteinmusic1555]

The word “mid” does get at the worst thing music can be: Elevator music, hold music, the background music in corporate trainings, and the music on reality tv. These can all be rightly described as mid. They’re not designed to make people feel or think anything, just fill empty space

[@burgermind802]

My opinion on this is that "mid" or "L" or "trash" are not actually opinions. An opinion has to be a statement. Mid can be used, if it also includes the formation of an opinion. Mid is an empty reaction that is used as if stating that the offending object isn't worth formulating an opinion.

[@Tinytunes-25]

Not correct. For example "What is your opinion on this new drake album? "Its mid" "Okay" See? It can be used as an opinion. For the laymen, casual listener, what other explaination is needed at that point? Anything else would be seen as superfluous drivel. It's mid. Nuff said. Next record!

[@ParagonDerp]

"the offending object isn't worth formulating an opinion." oh fr? You think maybe that's the point?

[@andrei11dr]

It is tho ,the opinion is that the music is mideiocre, but it's easier to just write "mid", i don't understand why we must turn this in some conspiracy theory

[@Tinytunes-25]

@@andrei11dr this isnt a conspiracy theory.

[@andrei11dr]

@@Tinytunes-25 Not this comment, i just mean the video in general

[@Missjunebugfreak]

I had a friend who any time I asked her what she thought of an album, artist or film, she would just say “meh” as a way of telling me she didn't like it. That soon got annoying because she was using that word as a replacement for an actual formulated opinion and any kind of discussion. I see this a lot with people on the internet who use “mid” as a way to shut down any thoughtful discussion about not just music, but art in general. And that's kind of a shame.

[@arizonateagod8491]

Well said, totally agree

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

Meh was the precursor to mid. People used to use meh all the time online.

[@TuetchenR]

i mean would you rather have them say „I don’t care enough to talk about it“

[@asteranightshade2981]

Sounds like you're just upset that people don't like your music taste

[@traplover6357]

Caring about the arts too much when material things are more important is not good. Your friend is right

[@suena7288]

My problem with sushi restaurant is that harry not once mentions actual sushi, i want to hear about an amazing omakase, locally fresh caught uni, snapper and hamachi, something dammit!

[@gee8419]

It mentions the process of making sushi in it ("from ice on rice") but like it's not music for an ode to sushi it's music for a sushi restaurant, music you might overhear at a restaurant, perhaps on a date with someone you're really into. Perhaps your conversation is music, giving the person you like compliments, telling them you don't want them to get lost or go broke, telling them they're sweet ice cream, noticing small things about them like the way bubblegum is on their tongue. Perhaps it feels like music is all around you because you like this person so much. Edit: Originally the last two sentences of this came off as a little more aggressive than I wanted to be, sorry about that. I'm clearly passionate about the song ig lol.

[@connorbeith3232]

Right and Lego House doesn't mention Legos lol

[@blanckq]

I set up my own little music club to combat that whole rift of understanding between a music enthusiast and casual music listener. Difference in approach, environment and mindset when it comes to consuming it. Unwritten rule is that no one can just call an album "boring" or ofc "mid", and instead find justification in your reasoning for calling it that. Great video, Mr. Mic :)

[@ringer1324]

Finally someone says it! I hate this word so much. It has ruined any discussion about music. I hate it so much I hate it I hate it. If I hear it one more time…..

[@jigglyj6]

Mid is just a synonym for another word meaning bad saying it doesn’t ruin anything

[@Tinytunes-25]

This comment is mid.

[@ringer1324]

@@Tinytunes-25 Okay AllThatMid

[@ringer1324]

@@jigglyj6 my comment wasn’t that serious. I don’t like the word but someone saying it doesn’t make me go into a blind rage or anything. I just don’t like the word as a concept.

[@jigglyj6]

@@ringer1324 i was saying there is no difference between mid,bad,and okay

[@ItsPascaltheOtter]

Thank you for this. I've had this theory in my head for years. You can tell so much about someone from how passionate they are about invalidating someone else's enjoyment of a project, someone in the comments or even music reviewers. Like, is it actually that bad that Lorde or Twenty One Pilots recent outputs saw a pivot from a depressing tone of music to one where they are happy, or do you just not like seeing people grow out of it and develop as people, something you don't wanna do?

[@JPTQJR]

I'd say that mid being on the discourse is actually helpful since mediocrity is a far better descriptor for most music than calling it terrible. The only problem I have with mid is that people use it as a substitute for bad instead of being mediocre and people who tend to use it are the ones that won't elaborate why the thing they called mid is mediocre in the first place which kills discussions. To be fair, mediocrity never warrants that much of a discussion anyway since it all boils down to "it's competently made but it doesn't illicit a strong enough reaction to be either called good or bad".

[@jacoblacey7851]

Yeah I definitely agree with this. I would say that for me, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles' new albums were mid, because they weren't inherently bad, but at the same time, there's not a lot to love for me, either. When people call Drake or Jack Harlow's music mid, they're saying it's bad, which incorrectly uses the term, and waters it down to nothingness.

[@BraxtonKovary]

Mid the Snare has a nice ring to it now. Better get used to it

[@iristheandroid2336]

I never would've thought that complaining about music was just complaining about a projection of our own insecurities onto others but holy shit that's a revolutionary idea. Thanks to sussy chungus 6000 for inspiring this video

[@getsmartquick]

No art is bad I feel like the reason for that is because all media is being used as a cultural weapon to attack consciousness through soft censorship. The projection argument is a copout. The art is trash to control the masses

[@twcyangon119]

In my opinion, mid music is music that does not have a defining sound or an actual dedicated fan base…it’s a soulless cash grab that is all over the radio or advertisements but in no one’s playlist or music collection, you’re very right in saying it reminds us of our mundane lives because the only places we here this type of music are in ads, at work or in shops…we only know of it because we are forced to listen to it

[@MySicknezz]

What i've noticed is that the people that go around calling stuff mid when nobody asked for their opinion will tell you that every single song or album they listen to is an 8/10 or above, they really can't entertain the idea that it's ok to like a song because u liked one thing about it even if the rest is "just ok", that it's fine to really enjoy an album and think is nothing that crazy, maybe it's just fun, maybe acknowledge that there's something very personal that makes you like it "more than you should" Basically: If they like it = it has to be "objectively REALLY good"... and that mentality sucks.

[@Tinytunes-25]

"When nobody asked for their opinion." Kinda contradicts what you are doing right now. Did anybody ask for this one? 💀💀 You see how noone needs to ask in order for you to give one. That doesn't matter in an open format. Your ideas matter. You are allowed to express yourself any way you choose. And people are allowed to say "mid" as an opinion. 😐

[@oogiegoogie2826]

The moment you free yourself from the idea that any music is “objectively good” is the moment you start enjoying music.

[@Tinytunes-25]

@oaktree_ I like this comment. I csn kinda relate. I was basically the same way. I loved music but couldnt like the popular songs because those songs were too popular. It was a front. I secretly loved wannabe by spice girls and shes no you by jesse maccarthy. Now I listen to the songs unashamedly. Too old(early 30s) to care

[@ericzhang7658]

No one does this. If people think something is mid, they just think it's mediocre, it doesn't have any deeper meaning

[@رزيئة]

Why should I listen to bad music I don't like just so y'all would stop feeling embarrassed of your shit taste 💀???? Just get a better taste in music and you won't be upset over me liking objectively better music 👍👍

[@evelynminer8568]

I think the difference between personally disliking something and thinking something is actively *bad* is that saying something is "bad" is basically a way of saying "I can't imagine how someone would enjoy this." In that way, thinking something is bad in some objective way is almost a problem of empathy or imagination.

[@ramenai]

The latter implicitly shames someone else for liking said thing. They're quietly saying: "It's an objective fact that [thing] should not be enjoyed by anyone, and those who do like [thing], are bad people"

[@shadez123]

@@ramenai Yeah that second comment is a bit of a reach

[@thrownstair]

I feel like it's more hyperbolic language use for dramatic effect most of the time. If I saw someone say that Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch is the musical equivalent of gangrene, I wouldn't think they're seriously suggesting that the impact of Leah Kate's music is legitimately on par with skin necrosis. Which in my mind begs for an analysis of how more mild critique seems to have lost its punch compared to something more inflammatory, probably social media's work as well.

[@lemonscented7703]

I think the really sad thing about “mid” is whether the word falls out of use or not, its driving impetus of people simply making no attempt to engage with music (or any art) they don’t immediately have some visceral connection to is going to persist. “Mid” is a textual shrug, an admittance that “I don’t get why this is a thing, and I’m not going to attempt to because it’s a waste of my time.” People that commonly call things “mid” were likely to just stick to their preferences anyway. Perhaps the real benefit of it falling out of use is that no one can be of that mindset and then masquerade as having meaningful contributions to discourse. Come to think of it, I should clarify that’s not to decry people for having favorite bands or sounds, frankly it’s mentally taxing engaging with unfamiliar art and trying to parse the human element of it and I can’t blame anyone for just not wanting to go to that time and effort because they have more taxing things going on in their lives. In that case, though, a frame of reference for unfamiliar varieties of art would be lacking, and broader perspectives would have to be taken with a grain of salt. What I’m getting at is, “mid” bypasses a person’s need to present a compelling argument that’s also reasonable and nuanced because of the ubiquity of the feeling - we all know how it feels to hear something potentially competent and it do absolutely nothing for us, so it’s easy to automatically read someone calling something “mid” as a person that probably has something of substance to say, when in reality it’s probably just someone completely mentally disengaged from a thing that they didn’t immediately click with writing the thing off wholesale.

[@burgermind802]

Good analysis

[@maxwell.vondeen6765]

I mean if you assume that when someone says mid, they are just not engaging with the music then that's exactly what they are trying to convey. When someone says mid it means the music they heard was not entertaining, inspiring, boring, not innovative, etc. It can mean a whole lot of things. I don't need to force myself to listen to boring music. Not having an inate liking to a song or album is meaningful. If you don't like something you probably don't like something. It takes a long time to fully appreciate a piece of music but it takes no time at all to realize you don't like it. Let people not like things. Also let's talk about the discourse issue you have. If I said an album was bad (using a singular word like mid to describe something) is that bad for discourse? Do you think proper discourse is walking up to someone then reciting a multi page essay describing the thoughts you had on an album then walking away?? If I and someone else want to discuss music then it goes a little like this. Them: did you hear drake's new album? Me: yeah, it was mid Then: ah, what do ya mean? Me: explanation*... I would actually say people using mid is good for discourse because it helps describe a new trend that's appearing in media, the mass production of uninspired works. If I on social media just post " drake's new album was mid" I'm actually trying to engage in a public discourse. I mean I could write "drake's new album was uninspired and boring the whole way though. It seemed he was trying to appeal to a new audience instead of actually utilize the house genre", that works too for starting discourse but the first example was fine too.

[@maxwell.vondeen6765]

@@burgermind802 definitely not

[@zaivixy]

Every time someone says “ok” should write an entire essay instead of just “ok”, if they don’t they’re boring and un creative.

[@books2438]

Except. It’s music. And we’re talking about the general person, not art critics. The general person is entirely allowed to say “mid” and move to something else they actually like, and not engage in meaningful conversation about music at all.

[@tme3305]

“mid” is the cop-out word of someone who wants to have a visible opinion about music but isn’t actually prepared to critically engage with it. people call music mid because they don’t like the music and either can’t or don’t want to explain themselves. the fundamental problem is that social media makes people want to constantly be getting in on The Discourse, but sometimes they really do just have nothing to say.

[@zaivixy]

I don’t think so 💀 people just don’t want to type a essay about music they don’t like go onto Reddit they probably have subreddits that have people going into deep discussion about music, just don’t expect people to put in work they don’t have to

[@tme3305]

@@zaivixy you just restated what i said but ignored the part where you don’t have to say anything if you have nothing of value to say lol

[@Wackaz]

I'm so glad someone finally made this video. "Mid" is the worst trend of a word that came to the internet music community.

[@zaivixy]

It’s not a trend it’s just mediocre shortened what are you mad about?

[@elenasayshi]

I can’t believe my favorite dated late 2000s electro-clash and dance punk album is considered mid by a YoungBoy pfp on Twitter

[@Tinytunes-25]

Believe it

[@benster344]

A lot of music now is mid. Mainstream Albums drop every other week with bloated 21+ track albums with nothing to say or contribute. Mid

[@shawn980]

7:46 You did not give Beyon-mid any credit, but it was far and away THE BEST ONE.

[@cheerio4000]

FR its Beyond-Mid like damn

[@pieceofpeter4773]

thank you mic the snare, great video! Really gave me a new outlook on this word, I did not run over a family of 4 in 1984 that is just a rumour.

[@khalewren2734]

Oh no the hivemind comment section is expanding to other channels

[@BraxtonKovary]

Excuse me? What is that last sentence

[@pieceofpeter4773]

@@khalewren2734 😈😈😈 digriders unite

[@nishitsiinghcinema]

can guarantee that was actually me

[@khalewren2734]

@@pieceofpeter4773 digriders nation

[@HO-yc3pv]

The overuse of the word mid is a product of saturation of art in the digital age. Too much supply of art and shortened attention span made us to categorize value in the most simplistic way.

[@ms.antithesis]

mid comment

[@margicates553]

This! Exactly this. Art shakes you up, makes you think about things, sticks with you comes back to you at 2am. Now it’s just whether or not we identify with it or whether it’s our idea of cool. It’s nostalgia plus identity plus visually cool. That’s what people think art is. But what if you hadn’t heard that album you love, right after the break up? What if it had been playing in an elevator? What if that your ex hadn’t sent you that Spotify playlist? Would you feel the same way about the song? People are so fickle.

[@itsabdullahkhalid]

IDK summed it up best in one of his tweets "Imagine putting your heart and soul in a song just for people outside of arts and crafts to call it 'mid', sometimes they only say it because someone else said it not because it's their actual opinion."

[@monkyjamman]

I really love the term mid. I feel like people are finally criticizing artists for being run of the mill and playing safe. For me art should not be safe and convenient, and way to many artists have gotten a pass because their music sounds "nice". Nice is just not enough and I love that the worst thing you can be now is "mid" and not plain "bad". I would much rather listen to bad music than ok music. I would much rather credit an artist for taking a chance and failing, than one playing safe.

[@t.7124]

I agree, and "mid" is not "bad." Chance the Rapper's last album was bad and it brought him attention and is still remembered as being bad; it brought discussion and criticism. Something that is mid just does not bring the same amount of discussion, and the word mid can usually sum them up pretty well, ie. Drake's last few albums. If something feels like no effort was put in to make it any better than passable then summing it up with a one syllable word can be the most accurate thing for it

[@trench900]

The issue is when they term good albums as being mid

[@ChristopherTom]

Yeah, it's a simple way to just criticize music for being mediocre. Sure it's overused and does lower the quality of discussion, but it can also be a good descriptor to describe sonic wallpaper.

[@monkyjamman]

@@trench900 well music is subjective...

[@a.d.8827]

@@trench900 what good albums are ppl calling mid

[@michaellisinski2822]

The first time I heard this term applied to music it was in the sentence "The Beatles were mid", and I think that says everything that needs to be said by itself.

[@bigredradish]

my biggest issue is that, like you said, it's basically a catch-all term for "bad" but nobody ever really explains what they mean. they use it dismissively and can't articulate any finer points which really doesn't make a strong argument

[@EnergizingBane]

I only just now looked through your channel which seems to revolve around the *discussion* of music which is why I see you made this. At that point, the only problem I have with the video is the title as it’s just a blanket statement and isn’t true as a whole but only affects a portion of it which is the discussion. That said, you have to keep in mind that people have always had useless criticisms like saying “bad”, “boring”, or any on worded opinions.

[@daniexists6]

Mid is becoming a term in all fandom areas, and it's just the fucking worst.

[@FeelingsOnACouch]

I feel like 'mid' is primarily used by those who actually liked something previously done by the artist and then don't feel that spark with the newer thing. something is 'mid' if there was something before that set high expectations. 'mid' is the feeling that your favourite might not be as good as before.

[@DevonChampion]

It’s funny when people start using a new popular word. Supposed to make you feel cool but always makes you look unoriginal.

[@BIGBOYGAMING03]

One thing I can at least fully agree on with these crowds is how most mainstream music truly is just something made real quick for it to just get popular quick, then die out soon after

[@Pootisbird01]

Maybe if the word “mid” is ruining music then artists should stop being mid?

[@audiophile2986]

Personal opinion. Music, as an art form, usually expresses some form of emotion, or is used for storytelling or what not. In the process music usually elicits a response from the audience. Whether or not the response is reflects the artist’s intention or not is another issue. In my terms, mid music is just music that I don’t feel anything from. It’s so generic or played out that I almost don’t feel anything from it. The beat or instrumental isn’t engaging, the vocals are droning or lifeless, the artist isn’t trying to say anything of substance or interesting, the artist isn’t breaking the mold for trying some new technique or way of mixing, it’s not catchy/memorable, and the music is out of my system in a couple minutes. The issue is it’s usually not too difficult to find or buy good beats or instrumental these days, so mid music means the artist purposefully chose the most generic instrumental and wrote the most generic lyrics, then delivered it in the most boring way possible. It’s a whole different breed of bad music.

[@AJeziorski1967]

I suspect the fear is less the suspicion that the music WE love is "mid" (it can't be! we love it!) and more the realization that there are experiences - like the strong emotional responses we have to both the music we love the most and the music we hate the most - that we simply cannot share with other people - or at least, not with EVERYBODY. It exposes a gulf between us at precisely the level of our most intense feelings. Likewise, the intimacy of enjoying music together can make us feel linked to others on a level that seems spiritual.

[@EnergizingBane]

It’s just a word. For me, it’s a very simple way of describing something that leaves no impression rather than explaining why a song is bland or generic. It’s a word that lacks nuance and that’s really it. It’s not ruining music, the industry itself does that on its own.

[@lyzenem]

I don’t know how else to tell you this but the phrase mid actually comes from weed in hip hop culture. Like mid is just bad weed and people slowly started saying that people or music was mid.

[@husvidfloden]

i had wondered if there was a strong connection between the 2

[@Skiz666]

Thank you dismissing me at 2:30, bruh it ain't that srs fr fr 😭

[@unutenteacaso445]

When i think to the Word ‘’Mid’’ I always think about the midi files

[@LeoMuzz1192]

so refreshing to hv a music essay ytuber as funny and insightful like you

[@MicTheSnare]

thank you so much!

[@filth315]

@@MicTheSnare Mid The Snare

[@shestoosilly]

@@filth315 midlth

[@edwardbloxy]

@@shestoosilly midmidmidmidmidmidmidmidmidmidmidmidmid

[@gcwens]

@@shestoosilly toastedmid

[@isabella-a-a-a]

Really love that random awkward Michelle Branch clip @8:35. Weirdly fit the dialogue well

[@lisandra1938]

Always great to watch an analysis on a discourse word I didn't even know existed.

[@JRob1125]

"Mid" use to mean average, but now it seems like a dismissive/trollish way to call something bad. That's the annoying part.

[@steffinrobinson7869]

Music For A Sushi Restaurant is my favorite song from the album. Great energy, groovy bassline, and the jazz elements are just killer

[@ms.antithesis]

that says more about the lack of quality of the album than the quality of its opening. albums where the opening track is the best one are rarely good.

[@steffinrobinson7869]

@@ms.antithesis I will admit, the album took awhile for me to get used to, but I have grown to really like it. Other highlights include Matilda, Satellite, and Grapejuice

[@ziad4826.]

@@ms.antithesis to pimp a butterfly

[@Lesss15]

Yep, I dont trust people who say "mid" alot unironically. Theyre always gonna one of the most annoying people ever

[@AsianBM55]

I just don't really get the point of this video, it's either preaching to the choir or its really just being optimistic about how the general populace functions. It's a reductive word, because people are trying to be reductive. No one is going to make a long tik tok or a long twitter post breaking down their criticisms of an album, that's not what most people use social media for (or how most people converse in general). It is, and I can't emphasize this enough, literally in the same vein of statements as "this album is good" or more appropriately, "this album is bad" which is just what people said before "mid" was a thing. It's a 10 minute video critiquing the word mid but really it's a 10 minute video complaining about the lack of proper discourse in social media. And well hey, welcome to social media. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I mean 40 years ago it was some dude that says "this song sucks" at the bar. 10 years ago it was just the same thing of people shitposting going "album bad" on /mu/ or your uncle going "new music sucks" on facebook. People saying "mid" aren't trying to generate discourse because they don't care for it, and social media is inherently reductive by design. You're really just arguing against lot of fundamental ways in which people and social forums function, which is to say you're pushing a rock up a hill.

[@asf8648]

Yeah which is why he encourages people to break out of that social media style and have maybe more in depth discussion.

[@AsianBM55]

@@asf8648 but that’s sort of a given, no one goes to social media to have quality discussion. If you do, that’s really on you for misunderstanding social media which draws me back to my initial point that he’s not really saying much or is just somehow discovering this for himself in 2022.

[@asf8648]

@@AsianBM55 idk why you think “of course it’s shit, it’s designed to be now shut up and accept that the way most people communicate is awful” Is a good take, what’s wrong with hoping to try and make it a little better?

[@AsianBM55]

@@asf8648 because trying to change the behaviors of social media users is trying to change human nature and trying to change a machine you have no control over. Social media is inherently designed to promote the simplest and most appealing opinions. That is how one forms a social consensus on anything, in real life too. To a great extent, it’s not even the fault of the users, the software literally functions that way. You can’t even be detailed on Twitter without breaking character count. Upvotes, comments, shares, retweets, etc. If you could just tell people “hey stop doing that” we would live in a utopia. Again, going back to my main point: if you don’t understand this, you don’t understand social media.

[@AsianBM55]

Social media arguments aside, all these users really are doing by saying an album is mid is polling their followers, something people do without reproach. They’re basically saying this album is a 5, and their users respond by saying “this album is a 7 (this album is good)” or “this album is a 3 (this album is bad)”. It really is harmless. You just have to let “normies” be “normies”.

[@tommy2capa]

when mic combined those quotes :0 lost my mind. So concise

[@breakingmadeline3063]

Me, reading the title: oh boy, Mic is jumping on the "mid" bandwagon because not every Harry Styles song on the last album was a banger, oooh boy, I'm really gonna watch this? Me, starting the video: Phew, that's why I watch him. He's saying the word mid is running music, which is so true considering the climate of music discorse we are- AHHGGH WAIT YOUR THE KZbinR HERE, GO ON~

[@elplebeuchiha1996]

Dawg. That’s the realest statement you made at the end. My ex-fiancé she did not care about music but I loved talking to her about music because of what you said, it gave me a new perspective. She would say things that was unimaginable in my mind. Sometimes I disagree but still new perspective. Sometimes I would agree and yeah it’s phenomenal. TY for your content. Hope all is well [+]

[@Juli_is_Online]

Eyyyy I actually called that this is what "Mid the Snare" on Twitter was teasing towards woooo Fr tho thanks for addressing this topic as it's so annoying how when discussing literally anything on the Internet, be it Music, Videos, Movies, Series, Games, even books, etc. etc. so many people seem to fall into this mindset of "if something isn't a masterpiece, it's either trash or mid" which is such a restrictive narrow way of looking at art. One of those trends that's just pushing media illiteracy and low attention spans with the mindset of "if it doesn't blow you away immediately, it can't be good. Only mid. "

[@FormalFilmsProductions]

Agree

[@KhayJayArt]

Someone called this man's channel mid and he made a whole video ranting about the word lol

[@catharticmemefairy2088]

You’re the only music critics whose opinion I’m not quick to dismiss, thank you for existing

[@ms.antithesis]

mid comment

[@Quadr44t]

Speaking for myself, I think there is a frustration that music industry optimized pop. If you look at pop from the 60s up to the early 00s, there is a lot of innovation. Vastly different music styles. But more recently, the profit-maximization machine found the perfect receipt for the masses. But it lacks soul (A trend you see in film/TV (blockbusters), games (triple A), etc.). Young people just getting into music (among which, the future artists) are challenged less. Exposed to less diverse music. That all said, I must admit that I am not following the more recent pop all that much. But from what I have seen is that there seems to be a little more diversity and creativity in recent years (which makes me happy). Edit: the term Mid was news to me btw. And it is very useless imo, since it stops the discussion altogether. Much rather discuss why I like or dislike music. However, since I dove deep into the rabbit hole of music production (since music is awesome), me diving into the details and overanalyzing a piece quickly loses audience. Most people aren't that much of a music nerd, so I fail to communicate my point, I guess... xD

[@sarvagyakaushik7976]

Mid is okay. What I hate with hell's burning fury is "L". It's like we're getting so lazy that we can't say a 3 letter word for what we dislike, we gotta dial it further down.

[@Nikk-Astyr]

L-a-m-e Actually, that's 4 letters 🤓

[@Man_of_Oil]

L + Ratio

[@Juli_is_Online]

I hate mid for exactly the same reason. It's so meaningless at this point

[@Tinytunes-25]

@@Juli_is_Online it has meaning.

[@Tinytunes-25]

L is below mid. Perfectly reasonable.

[@Porkako]

Love the chibi-robo ost you have playing in the background

[@n.nealparadise3963]

as a fellow person whom cares about music much more than those around me, i think the reason you say some of the best conversations about music you've had are with those who don't care about it as much as you is that... those are all that's available to you. i know that i care about music more than EVERYONE i know and regularly talk to. there is one person who i can have a real, deep, philosophical and technical conversation about music with, one in which neither of us runs out of things to say or responses to what the other one has to say, and we can really only have that about David Bowie. other than that, pretty much no one is on my level about music, or even close to it. but i should stress that THAT'S OKAY. depth of thinking about music or a love for music analysis is not something that everyone needs to have, and it has no qualitative bearing on a person's worth or importance. but for both of us, the best conversations we've had about music were with someone not on our level because that's the best we can have. so... you wanna talk about music? 😂

[@jeppyjep]

I think people that dont know much about music are more interesting to talk to because sometimes, they have a unique and unexpected opinion or reason for why they like a certain song or music. I have a lot of friends that are in a band, but i still prefer to talk about music with my friends who dont listen to music that much. Sometimes, they dont even know why they like the song, they just like it. That, to me, is more interesting to talk about. Ultimately, people dont have to analyze music deeply. If they like it, they like it. If they dont, they dont. The best thing you can do for a comedian isnt praising them with big words, its to laugh at their jokes.

[@cjmack9636]

i think the authenticity discussion of music rating also applies here. it’s “ad music” because it’s not “real” enough or it’s mid because there’s not enough valid emotion to make it good. another great video Michael thee Snareington

[@sachitechless]

At some point, I started trying writing out my actual thoughts about albums to try and use more than simple short phrases to describe them and I still end up falling into the trap of hearing a really really bad album and just saying "no." I almost would describe it as something you just don't want to put the energy into describing because you want to think about something else, or had almost no impact on you, which I guess you did say at the start so yea. Wish there was a less confrontational way of saying that... wait.

[@Gongasoso]

That was a bad leap indeed. The problem with mid music is that it is so unimpressive that all it impresses on is the cynical, rational mind - usually, in a way that exposes the song as what it usually is, an attempt to manipulate ur emotions by a big record label. It's this *failed* attempt at manipulation that triggers people - because when it doesn't, they like the song. It penetrates their defenses and imprints, makes them feel something - when it doesn't, all they see is the failed attempt. If objectively music is sound organized in time, subjectively it's noise that triggers feelings. When it doesn't, it's just noise. And nobody likes noise. PS. I never saw the term _mid_ anywhere but here, so I'm taking its definition objectively. If people are using it to just say that they don't like X or Y songs then they are just using the term (that they probably invented) wrong

[@kylehogankh]

I think we just live in an era where this is just SO MUCH content including music and the need for music that’s just ok is dwindling. Why would I listen to an album that’s ok and forgettable and mid when I can listen to the best music ever made. We just have so much content now that wasting our time on something okay has become just as bad as wasting our time on something bad.

[@krissyXdelux]

I agree!

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

I have time for good and ok music.

[@jaytb5815]

A part of this “mid” mentality may be FOMO.

[@BlaickXD]

Bro, when you don’t like a music it’s cause the chorus is boring, chords progression is cliché, lyrics are uninspiring… not because it makes you face your inner demons and you don’t like this or shit like that. Sorry but that quote is BS, if a track by an artist I hate is awesome, I’ll admit it’s good. If a track by an artist I love sucks, I won’t try to psyche myself into liking it, it will still suck just as much, nothing to do with the personalities of those people.

[@progunjack5556]

But to that quote's credit, it emphasize on "complaining" instead of criticizing or simply not liking it Criticism: This water is dirty and should've been cleaned instead of just outright served it Complaining: This water sucks and people who are responsible for it are morons

[@livinhere]

I wanna make a point that kinda supports your argument: I think a lot of people, especially people who are passionate about music, have a clear idea of their taste in music. Often, we mix up cultural relevance and the general greatness of something with what we personally acutally enjoy. Say I'm sure of being a full on punk person, I might be mad at the comercialist way Britney Spears appeals to people, but I might also be kind of mad at myself for just loving that damn lick on toxic so much! I think building up appreciation for music that is considered great can lead to a conflict between liking something and not want to like something and therefore calling it mid. Like this video from mid the snare.

[@Alfred_English]

I like the idea of this video. I think you could zoom out and make another video analyzing how music has changed with the rise of music criticism, and where we’re at now that everybody is a critic

[@Wackaz]

The whole "L + mid + ratio" thing is the worst part of Generation Z. Twitter is a cesspit of toxicity and mindnumbing infantilism.

[@abk01_58]

Ratio+maidenless

[@Wackaz]

@@abk01_58 Always see that from anime pfps on Twitter lol

[@prof.theworm6328]

Another problem with mid is that people use it for anything they dislike. I've seen people talk about music they absolutely hate and will still call it mid when the word should mean something that is average. The word limits the ways we can talk about music when everything is either mid or just good.

[@anniex8651]

tbh I have called music 'mid' in my mind before, when I heard a song or an album that was produced or written with low effort (in my opinion; obviously) I feel like there is a lack of effort in writing, composing and producing 'memorable' and 'outstanding' songs. A lot of the artist that were prominent in the charts the last few years, were on top of these 'most successful' lists just because of their name and not because of their work. Take Adele for example. She has released outstanding songs, that have had an impact on society. Not only was everybody singing 'Rolling in the deep' and 'Someone like you' but simply could recognize 'Hello' by the first piano chords instantly. But what about hear latest release? I literally had to look up the title of the song because I simply forgot. Does that mean she is any less of an artist? Heck no. But her latest release is imo just that: 'mid' Where are the memorable choruses, the interesing sound patterns? There absolutely were songs I didn't like but was able to recognize why they were popular. Nowadays I hear popular songs and instantly forget them, no matter if I 'like' them or not. I absolutely love sitting down with my headphones on and completely immerse myself in an album. But I can think of just a hanful of releases that really stuck with me lately and I was actually excited for. Is it really just me, who got a little bit older and has changed in the pandemic and expects other standards and has trouble remembering barely any song on the charts? Have barely any desire to listen through their albums with non-descript filler songs? Or is it also the artists and producers, who have settled for an unmemorable release with low effort because it is so dang easy to be on top as long as a famous name is attached to it? Release albums with an overhyped single, that has a forced chorus that can be used as TikTok sound bytes? idk

[@_thomas1031]

Well said my friend🤙

[@TheSenileFeline]

I think people are trashing that Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch song because it fucking sucks tbh

[@westpfelia]

There is also mid's like middling weed. Thats where I heard the term from first years ago. IE "ima go smoke some mids"

[@arizonateagod8491]

I’m almost positive that this is the origin of “mid”

[@husvidfloden]

the leah kate songs aren't even mid, they're actively offensive

[@wilatti3450]

mid is a word i used to describe albums like TVU&Nico (fight me) but i never really use it anymore because people think im calling said albums bad, instead of simply C tier.

[@elliottrusso7351]

Bro

[@Tinytunes-25]

Mid is c tier. I like that.

[@dootlime4400]

7:13 bro do you know how hard it is to get front row at these GA shows? I’ll go to a show that doesn’t start till 8PM and arrive at 2PM and sometimes I’m still not first in line.

[@tangerinecarrots4282]

sometimes, the real mid are the friends you made along the way

[@djmeagaaim17]

lol

[@m1LeyViRuS]

Interesting premise, but I don't think the arguments held water to the conclusion

[@zookkkk]

I haven't watched the video, but I fully support your rebrand to Mid the Snare. It's a questionable choice but we support you, Michael

[@DadJokeCinema]

I'm so glad I gave this a chance because I've been missing your comedy.

[@leftofthedial1378]

....*tonight*

[@naomi11bug]

the chibi-robo music at 0:56 took me by surprise! its such an underrated game with a groovy soundtrack that i never expected to hear in a mic the snare video but im so glad you snuck it in there! as always, great mid- i mean vid ;)

[@tweer64]

The music at 7:47 also comes from Chibi robo.

[@GravelordNito150]

Maybe I just haven't seen the right twitter threads but I really don't get this. Given the inherent hyperbole of the internet discourse around things, which for so long declared everything a "masterpiece" or "trash" I for one view the introduction of "mid" as progress. It's a fact that there's a lot of music (some might argue most of music) that is in fact middling and it's a good thing that there's a cool word to express that. As to the rest of this... eh, seems like an odd attitude for an ostensible music critic to have. There are presumably plenty of albums this dude "complains" about and I doubt he thinks he's really complaining about "people." The fact that he's doing it in something that's officially designated a "review" does not suddenly mean that he's more enlightened than the people just "complaining" about bad music on social media.

[@propername4830]

Then the issue is that "mid" is being used to mean "trash"

[@m1LeyViRuS]

My only problem with "mid" is that, like any other buzzword, it's become a non-argumentative colloquial take on music that leads to no meaningful debate. In my view, I do think a lot of music is mid, and that should be expressed, as long as it isn't utilized as a buzzword used to spite others or halt a possibly rich philosophical debate pertaining arts and its contemporary state in capitalism. In that sense, I wholeheartedly agree. However, I disregard the philosophical component of your premise because it poses the disconnected suggestion that communicating a substantial critique of one's distaste for any aspect of art is directly connected to an inner insecurity, be it mid or simply bad in their view. As I see it, the problem is not in that, but in how people have come to colloquially call things "mid" with the sole intention of presenting a non-argument; thus making it a buzzword. Tl;Dr: I agree that it's a buzzword and that that is bad, but I don't think expressing distaste for an artist's endeavors necessarily says anything deep about our subconscious self-image

[@thrownstair]

The one mid I endorse is midcity by clipping., relisten to it

[@charleshanson9467]

The backlash to perceived 'easy' or 'sell-out' music is based on the older and I think pervasive 'rock'n'roll' or "metal" attitude that any musical artist should be fiercely authentic. All media that's about music is about being the tortured artist or bucking trends or losing creativity to the corporate machine. So, now, if you're not being perceived as fully authentic then you become "mid".

[@win_jayden]

I'm not entirely sure I 100% agree with your psychological analysis... I am not a user of the "mid + L + ratio" stuff btw... but I think there is something to be said about the growing (well maybe not growing, perhaps prominent?) amount of internet users who love to live in their misery. I can totally write a lot about this, but I feel like people (especially people who have a bit more external privilege) tend to wallow a bit too much in their ironic detachment. Becoming so ironically sad and negative to the point where they become genuinely nihilistic and doomer; hating everything the world has to offer. I say this cause I was once them. I had such a perfect little life but had nothing to show for it. So, I became enamored with this idea of being a tragic figure. I became so intensely negative that even my parents had to step in to tell me that I was being an asshole. The hater still lives in me, but I had to actively fight against this viewpoint in order to find a crumb of happiness. I think one of the things missing from this analysis is that people on the internet (especially Tik Tok) are, for whatever reason, looking to incite discourse. Whether they mean to or not. I think there comes a validation in that. I have seen the most heinous opinions on the inter.net and often times there'll be at least 5 or 6 people who agree (and I mean, HEINOUS... like genuinely harmful). There's even validation in hatred! My point in mentioning all of this is that I think people are searching for meaning in this fucked up lil life we all live. And they want to gain some sort of reaction from it. They don't care for cultural context or personal opinion. It has to objectively flawless or objectively terrible. In reality, they never care about the piece of art they are critiquing, all they want is someone to react to it. Because if someone can validate their little life in this big ol' world, then everything will be worth it. This issue goes so much deeper, but I think I want to leave it a that before I continue to essay into the discourse void. This is still a great primer into internet music discourse! Thank you, "Mid" the Snare. Unsubscribed.

[@erlineandrews]

Mid has replaced generic in music discourse. Generic annoys me too. It seems a lot of people use it just because it's a popular thing to say. It shows no originality of thought.

[@KamilHenri]

You're looking particularly slick today Michael the Mid

[@brandonsalisbury7182]

I used the term mid for average quality bud back in the day (early 2000s) as opposed to chronic bud keep in mind this was way before smart phones and when pot was still illegal in all states.

[@ultracheese420]

Calling it mid isn’t ruining it, it being mid is ruining it

[@elbowjuice2627]

^^^ this

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Thoughts: a) record labels hope to bridge a gap between old and young - both have big and different channels of listening b) it doesn't prompt you necessarily skip, allowing streaming services to continue to bastardise charts and fake out what is popular and what isn't c) it doesn't challenge listeners much. It allows people to feel comforted by the familiar sound. People find it difficult to listen to anything/much new these days d) tiktok e) social media doesn't allow for discourse, inherently - the sooner we start to accept that, the better