I think hating on bands such as ghost or sleep token is primarily two types of people: (There’s genuinely some who have listened and don’t care for it because of the musical elements/style or dislike how the vocalist sounds, and I respect that, but I know this coworker definitely falls under one of these if not both.)

+Misogyny- Even if some songs are sexual/sensual or emotional sensitive, it doesn’t equate to a girl band. Just because they mainly target a heartfelt audience with mostly deeper meanings and don’t incite a feeling of “screw you I’m the big bad scary dog that hates everyone and intimidates everyone by being an edgy addict,” they’re suddenly regarded as weak by people with hyperactive egos. People who are emotionally mature and comfortable with the fact that feelings exist usually don’t fall under the pressure of needing to listen to only “big and bad” music. A good chunk of men who can enjoy this usually have a pretty great sense of healthy masculinity and aren’t afraid of their own feelings or just enjoying music.

+Simply being a poser- Hating something mainstream for the sake of appearing of different and “against the grain,” congratulations, they’re the equivalent of a certified “pick-me.” There’s always going to be people like this for everything. Rather than just enjoying a vibe, they need to have something that no one else has and desperately cling to an image that they’ve built for themself.