Zheani’s “Lulu” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal” are the songs and videos most emblematic of our zeitgeist.

Hyperreality, image manipulation (in many layered senses), the despair of the social, tacit abandonment of wokeness and a mishmash of cultures and styles — both women are living slightly in the future and presaging it.

“Lulu” is probably my favorite song of the past five years or so.

Also, don’t let people tell you that you have to be stuck in the music you liked when you were 17. Man, I woulda hated “Lulu” when I was 17. But look at me now.