Mike Shinoda, co-founder of Linkin Park, has shared his thoughts on modern song structures on X.
A fan praised Shinoda’s songwriting abilities, specifically highlighting his skill with bridge sections. “My takeaway from Up from the Bottom is that Mike Shinoda continues to be the only person left that knows how to write bridges that are absolute bangers,” the fan wrote.
“A couple years ago, I was having a conversation with friends about how songs keep getting shorter,” Shinoda responded. “It’s such a shame because the bridge (or anything that happens after chorus 2) is your opportunity to reward the listener, or to surprise them.”
The music industry continues to discuss the evolution of song structures in the streaming era.
Shinoda’s observation arrives at a significant time in his career as he continues to push creative boundaries.
Stay Free Radio highlighted “Up from the Bottom” as a testament to Shinoda’s commitment to dynamic song structures. The track features Emily Armstrong’s pop-infused vocals alongside Shinoda’s signature rap verses.
Louder Sound revealed that the song’s structure intentionally challenges current industry trends. Many artists now shorten their songs to maximize streaming efficiency and playlist placement.
This shift in song length has become more common in the streaming era. Artists often omit traditional elements like bridges and extended musical sections that historically added depth to compositions.
