The music industry is notoriously known for promoting negative habits, whether through song’s glorifying drinking and drugs or doing anything for a perfect body. Recently though, music has taken a turn. Songs such as Meghan Trainor’s “All About that Bass,” Mary Lambert’s “Secrets” and many more have been added to the trend of positive choices and positive body image.

Trainor’s new album is not only been all about that bass, but also all about positive self image especially directed at women. “All About that Bass,” the lead single from the album,  promotes happiness in any size with the line “every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.” It focuses strongly on plus sized women and has become an anthem for body positivity. However critics of the song have called it offensive to skinny girls as it refers to them as “skinny bitches.” Critics say that the lyric was skinny shaming, even though though the next line is “no I’m just playing I know you think you’re fat.” In an interview about the song, Trainor defended the lyric.

“I have skinny friends and some of them will stand in front of the mirror and go, ‘Ugh, I’m just so big,’ and I’m standing there going ‘Jesus if you’re big than what am I?’ That’s not right,” Trainor said.

Other artists have been feeling the pressure of the media after releasing songs. Mary Lambert, best known for providing vocals in the song “Same Love” along-side Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, has released her newest song “Secrets.” The song contains an upbeat tempo with the line “I don’t care if the world knows what my secrets are.” Lambert, an openly gay artist, wanted people to know she wasn’t ashamed by her identity.

In the song, Lambert opened up about far more than her sexuality. She admits to having Bipolar Disorder as well as saying she feels no shame about her size. Critics however have been skeptical. Some have asked is Lambert can be a good role model to young girls while others think she glorifies mental disorders. Lambert has defended the song saying she just want’s kids to be okay with opening up about who they are.

While more and more artists, predominantly women, are focusing on standing up for themselves and promoting positivity through their music, the critics aren’t always receptive. In the end, it all comes down to whether positivity can outweigh the negative words it may face. Only time can tell if the positive notes will continue.