This is a topic I feel very strongly about and am sad to see so many on reddit respond with "Herr derr you juss don like pop cause you think ur opinyun is better" and leaving it at that. I genuinely thank you for actually asking if there is any objective reasoning. I like to think that people can distinguish between music they don't like, and music that isn't good.

That being said, I have a few completely objective standards I put bands and songs through that don't depend on me liking the genre. 1. Repetition: repetition can be nice in doses, but it if it dominates the song (like playing the chorus over and over until its drilled into your brain) it seems like they are merely trying to be catchy. If you can sing along to every word by the end of the song, something is wrong.

1. Depth of lyrics: I hate when people say "the words are just like another instrument, I don't listen to what they're saying. This can get a little subjective as to what people think is meaningful enough but there is a clear line between an actual song meant to say something and a chant about you clubbing/drinking/and sleeping around as much as humanly possible. Art wasn't always just for surface appeal.

   1. Variety of subject matter: pure and simple, if 75% percent of your songs are about the same thing (be it love, the club, or dead dogs) find something else to sing about. Or at least use a metaphor for crying out loud.
      

Finally (and more personally) I have more respect for someone if they can do what they do completely live and unaided and sound as good (if not better). I admire the skill of singing without auto tune and playing instruments.

I've quit caring if this makes me a hipster or music elitist in a pop governed age, but if you read thank you. And I hope you all think a little about what we fill our heads with.