Editor Megan is here this week to bridge a generation gap with her guide to contemporary pop music by way of dad rock icons.

The headline from The Onion that I have always identified with the most reads “Cool Dad Raising Daughter On Media That Will Put Her Entirely Out Of Touch With Her Generation.” In particular, my cool dad raised me on the sounds of the local classic rock radio stations, the punk rock stylings of The Ramones and The Replacements, and the vastly underrated ’90s power pop group Jellyfish (seriously, check them out. They put out two perfect albums and then split). In the last few years, we’ve gone to The Zombies, Air Supply, and ELO (technically, “Jeff Lynne’s ELO”) concerts together. We even texted each other at the same time when Tom Petty died.

While I am chronically online and absorb a lot of current pop music through osmosis, when I pick what I’m listening to it’s usually not from this century. This spring I wanted to challenge myself to write the questions for our Pop Girlies of the 2020s theme night (there are still a couple more chances to play live in the Twin Cities!), so I dove head first into the world of 2020s pop music.

Whether you’re a dad who wants to understand his Gen Z daughter’s music taste, a daughter who was raised by a “cool dad” and wants to understand her peers, or anywhere within that spectrum, this is the Unofficial, Incomplete Dad Rock Guide to Pop Girlies of the 2020s.

For Fans of Elton John… Try Chappell Roan!

This may be the one comparison you could see coming. Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise to fame began last year, with hits like “Pink Pony Club,” “Hot to Go!,” and “Good Luck, Babe!” — all of which I’m sure your daughter has blasted throughout the house. Like Elton John, she’s become known for over-the-top costumes which include lots of sequins, feathers, and head pieces. While the two have larger-than-life stage personas, you can’t deny their raw musical talent and killer songwriting. Vibes wise, I think the sound of Elton John’s “Levon” is similar to Chappell Roan’s “Casual.” I’m not saying “Pink Pony Club” is the new “Tiny Dancer,” but I’m not saying it’s not!

For Fans of Bee Gees… Try Sabrina Carpenter!

With an overall soft and sweet sound and soaring vocals along with many disco-inspired concert outfits, Sabrina Carpenter could fit right in as a long-lost family member. Fair warning, her lyrics just happen to be a little more… risqué than the apolitical brothers Gibb. Whether your favorite Bee Gees hit is “How Deep If Your Love” or “More Than a Woman,” I think you’ll enjoy the sound of “Bed Chem” and “Slim Pickins.”

For Fans of Devo… Try Charli XCX!

Charli was everywhere last summer, with the release of her album “Brat.” Her music has more of an electronic, dancey feel, very reminiscent of Devo’s new wave synth sound. If your favorite Devo song is “Whip It,” try listening to “Apple.” If it’s “Uncontrollable Urge,” I’d recommend “Everything is romantic.”

For Fans of Fleetwood Mac… Try Haim!

The Haim sisters have been putting out albums since their 2013 debut “Days Are Gone.” While they don’t have the romantic connections that’s palpable in Fleetwood Mac’s music, they do have a familial tie that blends their voices beautifully. Both groups mix pop and rock with funky guitar licks and percussion moments. The emotions of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” run through Haim’s “Hallelujah,” and Fleetwood Mac’s more upbeat “I Don’t Want to Know” feels like a cousin to Haim’s “The Steps.”

For Fans of Elvis Costello… Try Gracie Abrams!

Gracie Abrams, daughter of J.J. Abrams and up-and-coming singer-songwriter, is making a name for herself in the music scene. She’s got a bit of a brash quality to her voice in the best way possible, not unlike that of Elvis Costello. Her “Saturday Night Live” performance debut this past December made far fewer headlines than Elvis’ December 1977 “SNL” debut, though. In terms of sound, I’d compare his “Veronica” to her “That’s So True,” and his “Alison” to “I Love You, I’m Sorry.”

For Fans of Bruce Springsteen… Try Taylor Swift!

Do they sound alike? Not in the slightest. But you can’t deny that T-Swift is the new Boss. There’s gotta be something to that.

I’ve turned this guide into an official companion playlist on Spotify here! Hopefully this guide will help you find some common ground with fans of the music you don’t quite understand.

I’ll leave you with some excellent intergenerational videos that are essential viewing in my opinion: