I think it is ironic how some people seem hyper aware of the need to criticise pop music. It is often not targeted at any specific aspect of the music as "pop" is quite diverse really, rather the fact that it is popular.
Oh no they wouldn't want to be categorised as having uncool tastes in music like ordinary people. Wouldn't want to be seen to be led by the crowd.
Consequently they are always careful to consult with their peer group for approval to like a song before they form an opinion lest they accidentally like something that might be considered "pop".
After all what choice do they have since they lack the musical sophistication to actually appreciate melody and rhythm for itself without bothering to assign it some arbitrary label.
I was recently listening to The Sex Pistols who burst onto the music scene with the radical new, raw, meant-to-offend Punk sound in the mid 70's. In today's world it now sounds so middle of the road it could be called pop.