Which of the following is a contemporary characteristic?

Atonality is indeed a hallmark of contemporary music, particularly from the 20th century onward. This characteristic denotes music that does not adhere to the traditional tonal system, which is based on a hierarchy of pitches and key centers. Composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and his followers explored this concept, creating music that lacks a central pitch, leading to a more liberated and often more complex approach to harmony and melody.

The use of atonality can convey a wide range of emotions and ideas, reflecting the diversity and innovation that define contemporary music. This contrasts with earlier musical styles, where tonal centers and functional harmony were predominant. By moving away from established tonal frameworks, composers were able to experiment with new structural possibilities and express a broader spectrum of human experience through their music.

In the context of the other options, ornamentation, lyric melodies, and homophonic textures are more closely associated with styles from earlier musical periods, such as the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras, where specific tonal and textural conventions were followed. This highlights the distinctive nature of atonality within contemporary music, which sets it apart from these previous traditions.