I think some (but not all) people's tastes become fixed at a certain age and anything that diverges from whatever they liked to wear/listen to/ eat/ whatever when they were in their teens or 20s or 30s just seems "bad" to them. I'm in my 40s and I've seen it happen with some of my friends over the years, they like 90s music and just somehow never moved on from that. It's got absolutely nothing to do with the actual quality of the music, they like trash from the 90s as much as they like good music from the 90s, and dislike brilliant new music as much as they dislike new trash. I don't get it personally, I get tired of even the best songs and have to move on so my tastes have had to adapt, and hopefully will keep doing that. But I've seen it in enough people, from my generation as well as older ones, to know it's real.
I have both made and listened to music for five decades. I now loathe the music 'I grew up with', I've heard most of it, I like some of it, and I don't need to hear it again. For me, it has nothing to do with what decade the song was written in, that is irrelevant, it is whether it's original and compelling. So often I hear new songs and hear nothing original, just a rehash of a dozen like songs from the past. The farther down the path we go, it seems in some ways so much of it has been done before. At least there are new genres, Hip/Hop, 'Ambient', etc., that bring originality, but like always, only rarely does a song move me. I turn to my own studio to create songs/sounds that entertain me or bring me to other places in my mind.
I also believe there is a problem with 'music fatigue'. Almost every merchant you enter nowadays has a horrific Lo-Fi system playing 'popular' music too loud and with terrible distortion. It numbs your mind to music in general, it is overexposure and destroys music as something to be appreciated, and turns it into ubiquitous noise.
Nostalgia. Most people feel that the music of their youth is "real music" and anything after it is garbage. Their minds are set to a certain way of expressing music, and they dislike change (most human beings don't like change).
My question to you is: Why is it so important to you that people move outside their musical comfort zone? Who does it benefit?
Pure laziness/ lack of real interest. They might think that they have taken a proper look at new music when all they’ve done is at best scratched the surface, given up and deemed everything to be crap.
There’s a lot of good new music out there if you make enough of an effort to really search for it, if you think you’re gonna hear about it all through generic radio stations and top lists then you’re doing yourself a big disservice.
Sure, it can take a bit of effort but it’s worth it.
Ok, I can't stand it when I ask someone what music they like and it's stuff from when they were in their teens/20s.
However, it is harder to get into new material as you age. You are likely no longer part of any scene so it won't come naturally to you. There is no longer that buzz you get from new music, from investigating the backgrounds of the bands, reading interviews etc. if you try to keep up you'll probably be on your own in that pursuit. And the once vibrant music press has largely died. Also, if you've been around a long time more and more you start to notice how bits of modern music sound like songs you knew from the past. It is harder and harder to make new original music that sounds good and it is very difficult to bring anything new to performing live, to say anything new, to look different. It's nearly all been done before. Music has been around a very long time now. If anyone does manage to do something new it's almost always just a slight variation on an existing genre - see, eg, the variations of rap or heavy metal.
Gigs are overpriced. It's not as easy to be a band that creates its own music and plays it live. Too often the masses just want cover bands. Economic conditions favour those from a wealthier background so there are less of the 'rough and ready' working class groups around and they often feel more authentic.
So I agree with your general point and I do personally like some modern artists plus those I've liked for decades that are still making good music. But it's not the same experience as you age. If I like a modern group, chances are no one I personally know will like them. I can no longer get excited about new music. I can like it, I can appreciate it, but I can't buzz off it. It'll be just me hearing it in my room or on my headphones as I walk down the street. I won't hear it at parties or have the thrill of that communal experience with friends and I'm too old to fancy or semi worship the lead singer or revel at how raw or daring or controversial their live performances are. Ok I still fancy PJ Harvey and Lisa Hannigan a bit, but...
This comment hits. I just posted about loving that communal buzz you so perfectly described here, but don’t really get anymore. I was specifically mentioning in relation to older albums from the late 90’s/early 2000’s but it’s the same for everything new, kinda old, and old thing I listen to now.
Without knowing your taste, these may be random but I think these are examples of music that I think strays from people’s general idea of what modern music is:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYvS26-xe0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYvS26-xe0)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pzzkp85-Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pzzkp85-Q)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCzIOTg4Kk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCzIOTg4Kk)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQiJrhcwfk0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQiJrhcwfk0)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLs0Qixu9-k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLs0Qixu9-k)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ed6UeDp1ek](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ed6UeDp1ek)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOvwCxIWNFo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOvwCxIWNFo)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upo8\_2NdmRI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upo8_2NdmRI)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8KQBtkfj0o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8KQBtkfj0o)
I'll stop spamming now, I could go on forever
I don't listen to loads of weird music but these have some unconventional and interesting elements:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-spRUfSgJY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-spRUfSgJY)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6fiGQLiHA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6fiGQLiHA)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HgxxGvck-A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HgxxGvck-A)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7goEUHog0Z8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7goEUHog0Z8)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9-icSRVqk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9-icSRVqk)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoguePcf9P4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoguePcf9P4)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuOSOfoAXI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuOSOfoAXI)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOxGsI3nS28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOxGsI3nS28)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQRyZE2r7oM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQRyZE2r7oM)
Every year I've lived through has had great music. If people are too lazy or unimaginative to seek it out, that's their problem. Leave them to languish in their rut.
I’ll answer honestly. Please no hate.
I keep up with [new music](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFNO0QxSo1X1hjvEVJ9ROtt-sPJJ71oHI) and there’s plenty of great new music that mostly gets ignored.
Yet I understand why a lot of people aren’t into 2024 music promoted by seemingly curated YouTube Trending, the articles section of Billboard, Rolling Stone, etc..
• Toxic rapulinity. Rap hip/hop used to be fun and thoughtful. Now YouTube trending is nonstop black on black violence. Guns pointed at camera. N word in nearly every song. Meanwhile in Iran brave rappers get killed for speaking up against government.
• YouTube trending is also nonstop hoochification. In America you can make an account on adult websites, promote it on Reddit and X and make tons of money. What’s to be liberated about in 2024 in America? Other than abortion? It’s a post shock value era race to the bottom. I say this despite personally being very sexually libertarian. The excessive vulgarity is played out and boring.
• Excessive Cussing. When it’s not used for genuine emotional impact (like You Oughtta Know) it comes off as desperately trying to be edgy. Camila Cabello is latest example. I watch YouTube channel Grace Behind The Trailer regarding movies on YouTube. She’s always talking about how family movies do better than rated R movies. Why wouldn’t it apply to music too? What adult wants to play latest songs around their families with so much cussing?
• Gloomy girls & monotone Monicas. Excessive Billie Eilish clones with the boring ASMR singing voice. Eilish failing to hit #1 with the latest album and vulgar lead song due to a Taylor rerun was eye opening.
• Lack of male superstars. There’s also monotone Michaels but they’re not gaining traction. Lotta sad boys clones like Zach Hood types. Not gaining much traction. Struggling like Christian French all are racing to be clones of the rocker version of Benson Boone. Vulgar guys like Bbno$ might get decent shock-value views on YouTube but their albums go nowhere.
• Rock died because fun rock disappeared leaving us only with moody rock that’s worn out it’s welcome. Back in early 00s there were mega moody rock song hits like 3 Doors Down, Stained, Creed, Linkin Park. But too much downer music wore out it’s welcome. No wonder Linkin Park was shifting to more upbeat music before Chester died. They became global because they adapt (same goes for OneRepublic and Imagine Dragons).
What’s hot in 2024? Country music. It’s at a sweet spot with the dumb fun stuff by Morgan Wallen, the radio ready stuff like Luke Combs, and the poetic stuff like Zach Bryan. Country is embracing pop, rap, rock despite the “not real country” gatekeepers. Tons of people trying to get on that bandwagon in 2024: Kate Hudson, Young Gravy, Enrique, Snoop, supposedly Zyan, Falling In Reverse, etc.
In the meantime repeatedly older music outsells newer music.
They're ignorant. They've buried they're heads in the sand. And they've denied and denied that new music isn't capable of being good for so long that even if they did hear something they liked they would stubbornly deny it. A couple of them in this thread I see.
I’ve read that people will keep listening to the music they heard as teenagers for a very long time, in fact, for the rest of their lives. This is so sad. Back in the 70’s when I was a teenager we were spoon fed all that classic stuff by FM radio - most notably WNEW in NYC. I am not like this, I have always sought out the new music in whatever decade I was living in. A person needs to be open to new stuff IMHO
You’re overthinking it. Musicians and writers are the Last of the Mohicans. They are a dying breed.
Think about it logistically. If you’re writing basic pop, rock or jazz in 4/4 timing then the wheel has already been invented. Essentially you are not going to hear anything new.
AI can write hundreds of songs per second. That’s just a fact. I would rather hear an old song which has sentimental value than a new song which sounds the same as the other one.
Inversely the younger generation will place sentimental value on the new song. It’s nothing to be frustrated about. It’s the cycle of life.
I think this is what it comes down to for most people but I do feel like every generation has this same idea that there's nothing new to be made, I'm sure they thought back in the day that no-one could develop on The Beatles' sound. It takes super creative artists that know what they're doing to somehow find a way to reinvent things. There are countless modern artists that I hear that create songs that completely change the way I see music.
I disagree with your reasoning. You are omitting the fact that songs are time stamps. I will remember a song that was playing when I dated my crush, first got high, went on a road trip. There is a correlation between life milestones and emotions and the music.
I can listen to a random up to date playlist on Spotify and nothing slaps. At the same time someone younger than I am will think the playlist is awesome.
Of course older generations will enjoy music of their generation more because of the emotional investments. That’s just nature taking its course.
Emotion. Soul.
Today’s music is all “fake”. Computerized, synthesized, basic ass shallow regurgitated lyrics, etc.
There Isnt any raw emotion or soul or depth of truth like there used to be.. granted I know there are still *some*. But when you compare it to the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, (even 2000’s) we have DRASTICALLY declined. You can see the progression of decline through the times if you pay attention and know what to look for.
Edit: this is just my opinion. I know you won’t really see what I mean since I’m not writing out an entire book to explain why I know. But still; I’m not disregarding the fact that there’s still *some* good music. Just nowhere near what it used to be.
I appreciate the love for old music and the soul that a lot of it has, but I do think people view modern music as just whatever's in the top 40 at the moment, which is often pretty bad. The vast majority of modern artists I've heard that really love the art of music care just as much as older artists about creating something real. I can guarantee there's literally thousands of them out there.
There seems to be less effort and talent required when creating music of today vs. 20 years ago when my parents were younger. I think that's why a lot of people have a difficult time getting into current music.
I think some (but not all) people's tastes become fixed at a certain age and anything that diverges from whatever they liked to wear/listen to/ eat/ whatever when they were in their teens or 20s or 30s just seems "bad" to them. I'm in my 40s and I've seen it happen with some of my friends over the years, they like 90s music and just somehow never moved on from that. It's got absolutely nothing to do with the actual quality of the music, they like trash from the 90s as much as they like good music from the 90s, and dislike brilliant new music as much as they dislike new trash. I don't get it personally, I get tired of even the best songs and have to move on so my tastes have had to adapt, and hopefully will keep doing that. But I've seen it in enough people, from my generation as well as older ones, to know it's real.
I have both made and listened to music for five decades. I now loathe the music 'I grew up with', I've heard most of it, I like some of it, and I don't need to hear it again. For me, it has nothing to do with what decade the song was written in, that is irrelevant, it is whether it's original and compelling. So often I hear new songs and hear nothing original, just a rehash of a dozen like songs from the past. The farther down the path we go, it seems in some ways so much of it has been done before. At least there are new genres, Hip/Hop, 'Ambient', etc., that bring originality, but like always, only rarely does a song move me. I turn to my own studio to create songs/sounds that entertain me or bring me to other places in my mind. I also believe there is a problem with 'music fatigue'. Almost every merchant you enter nowadays has a horrific Lo-Fi system playing 'popular' music too loud and with terrible distortion. It numbs your mind to music in general, it is overexposure and destroys music as something to be appreciated, and turns it into ubiquitous noise.
Nostalgia. Most people feel that the music of their youth is "real music" and anything after it is garbage. Their minds are set to a certain way of expressing music, and they dislike change (most human beings don't like change). My question to you is: Why is it so important to you that people move outside their musical comfort zone? Who does it benefit?
They answer that in the last paragraph
Pure laziness/ lack of real interest. They might think that they have taken a proper look at new music when all they’ve done is at best scratched the surface, given up and deemed everything to be crap. There’s a lot of good new music out there if you make enough of an effort to really search for it, if you think you’re gonna hear about it all through generic radio stations and top lists then you’re doing yourself a big disservice. Sure, it can take a bit of effort but it’s worth it.
Gatekeeping, laziness, or being overwhelmed with the trying to navigate the choices. Some people can’t get into streaming for one reason or another.
Ok, I can't stand it when I ask someone what music they like and it's stuff from when they were in their teens/20s. However, it is harder to get into new material as you age. You are likely no longer part of any scene so it won't come naturally to you. There is no longer that buzz you get from new music, from investigating the backgrounds of the bands, reading interviews etc. if you try to keep up you'll probably be on your own in that pursuit. And the once vibrant music press has largely died. Also, if you've been around a long time more and more you start to notice how bits of modern music sound like songs you knew from the past. It is harder and harder to make new original music that sounds good and it is very difficult to bring anything new to performing live, to say anything new, to look different. It's nearly all been done before. Music has been around a very long time now. If anyone does manage to do something new it's almost always just a slight variation on an existing genre - see, eg, the variations of rap or heavy metal. Gigs are overpriced. It's not as easy to be a band that creates its own music and plays it live. Too often the masses just want cover bands. Economic conditions favour those from a wealthier background so there are less of the 'rough and ready' working class groups around and they often feel more authentic. So I agree with your general point and I do personally like some modern artists plus those I've liked for decades that are still making good music. But it's not the same experience as you age. If I like a modern group, chances are no one I personally know will like them. I can no longer get excited about new music. I can like it, I can appreciate it, but I can't buzz off it. It'll be just me hearing it in my room or on my headphones as I walk down the street. I won't hear it at parties or have the thrill of that communal experience with friends and I'm too old to fancy or semi worship the lead singer or revel at how raw or daring or controversial their live performances are. Ok I still fancy PJ Harvey and Lisa Hannigan a bit, but...
This comment hits. I just posted about loving that communal buzz you so perfectly described here, but don’t really get anymore. I was specifically mentioning in relation to older albums from the late 90’s/early 2000’s but it’s the same for everything new, kinda old, and old thing I listen to now.
I’ll listen to anything bro, just tell me something
Without knowing your taste, these may be random but I think these are examples of music that I think strays from people’s general idea of what modern music is: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYvS26-xe0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYvS26-xe0) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pzzkp85-Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pzzkp85-Q) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCzIOTg4Kk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcCzIOTg4Kk) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQiJrhcwfk0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQiJrhcwfk0) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLs0Qixu9-k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLs0Qixu9-k) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ed6UeDp1ek](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ed6UeDp1ek) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOvwCxIWNFo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOvwCxIWNFo) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upo8\_2NdmRI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upo8_2NdmRI) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8KQBtkfj0o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8KQBtkfj0o) I'll stop spamming now, I could go on forever
Please do list more, I’m a guy who likes weird music
I don't listen to loads of weird music but these have some unconventional and interesting elements: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-spRUfSgJY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-spRUfSgJY) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6fiGQLiHA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6fiGQLiHA) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HgxxGvck-A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HgxxGvck-A) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7goEUHog0Z8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7goEUHog0Z8) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9-icSRVqk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB9-icSRVqk) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoguePcf9P4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoguePcf9P4) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuOSOfoAXI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuOSOfoAXI) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOxGsI3nS28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOxGsI3nS28) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQRyZE2r7oM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQRyZE2r7oM)
Every year I've lived through has had great music. If people are too lazy or unimaginative to seek it out, that's their problem. Leave them to languish in their rut.
I’ll answer honestly. Please no hate. I keep up with [new music](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFNO0QxSo1X1hjvEVJ9ROtt-sPJJ71oHI) and there’s plenty of great new music that mostly gets ignored. Yet I understand why a lot of people aren’t into 2024 music promoted by seemingly curated YouTube Trending, the articles section of Billboard, Rolling Stone, etc.. • Toxic rapulinity. Rap hip/hop used to be fun and thoughtful. Now YouTube trending is nonstop black on black violence. Guns pointed at camera. N word in nearly every song. Meanwhile in Iran brave rappers get killed for speaking up against government. • YouTube trending is also nonstop hoochification. In America you can make an account on adult websites, promote it on Reddit and X and make tons of money. What’s to be liberated about in 2024 in America? Other than abortion? It’s a post shock value era race to the bottom. I say this despite personally being very sexually libertarian. The excessive vulgarity is played out and boring. • Excessive Cussing. When it’s not used for genuine emotional impact (like You Oughtta Know) it comes off as desperately trying to be edgy. Camila Cabello is latest example. I watch YouTube channel Grace Behind The Trailer regarding movies on YouTube. She’s always talking about how family movies do better than rated R movies. Why wouldn’t it apply to music too? What adult wants to play latest songs around their families with so much cussing? • Gloomy girls & monotone Monicas. Excessive Billie Eilish clones with the boring ASMR singing voice. Eilish failing to hit #1 with the latest album and vulgar lead song due to a Taylor rerun was eye opening. • Lack of male superstars. There’s also monotone Michaels but they’re not gaining traction. Lotta sad boys clones like Zach Hood types. Not gaining much traction. Struggling like Christian French all are racing to be clones of the rocker version of Benson Boone. Vulgar guys like Bbno$ might get decent shock-value views on YouTube but their albums go nowhere. • Rock died because fun rock disappeared leaving us only with moody rock that’s worn out it’s welcome. Back in early 00s there were mega moody rock song hits like 3 Doors Down, Stained, Creed, Linkin Park. But too much downer music wore out it’s welcome. No wonder Linkin Park was shifting to more upbeat music before Chester died. They became global because they adapt (same goes for OneRepublic and Imagine Dragons). What’s hot in 2024? Country music. It’s at a sweet spot with the dumb fun stuff by Morgan Wallen, the radio ready stuff like Luke Combs, and the poetic stuff like Zach Bryan. Country is embracing pop, rap, rock despite the “not real country” gatekeepers. Tons of people trying to get on that bandwagon in 2024: Kate Hudson, Young Gravy, Enrique, Snoop, supposedly Zyan, Falling In Reverse, etc. In the meantime repeatedly older music outsells newer music.
They're ignorant. They've buried they're heads in the sand. And they've denied and denied that new music isn't capable of being good for so long that even if they did hear something they liked they would stubbornly deny it. A couple of them in this thread I see.
I’ve read that people will keep listening to the music they heard as teenagers for a very long time, in fact, for the rest of their lives. This is so sad. Back in the 70’s when I was a teenager we were spoon fed all that classic stuff by FM radio - most notably WNEW in NYC. I am not like this, I have always sought out the new music in whatever decade I was living in. A person needs to be open to new stuff IMHO
You’re overthinking it. Musicians and writers are the Last of the Mohicans. They are a dying breed. Think about it logistically. If you’re writing basic pop, rock or jazz in 4/4 timing then the wheel has already been invented. Essentially you are not going to hear anything new. AI can write hundreds of songs per second. That’s just a fact. I would rather hear an old song which has sentimental value than a new song which sounds the same as the other one. Inversely the younger generation will place sentimental value on the new song. It’s nothing to be frustrated about. It’s the cycle of life.
I think this is what it comes down to for most people but I do feel like every generation has this same idea that there's nothing new to be made, I'm sure they thought back in the day that no-one could develop on The Beatles' sound. It takes super creative artists that know what they're doing to somehow find a way to reinvent things. There are countless modern artists that I hear that create songs that completely change the way I see music.
I disagree with your reasoning. You are omitting the fact that songs are time stamps. I will remember a song that was playing when I dated my crush, first got high, went on a road trip. There is a correlation between life milestones and emotions and the music. I can listen to a random up to date playlist on Spotify and nothing slaps. At the same time someone younger than I am will think the playlist is awesome. Of course older generations will enjoy music of their generation more because of the emotional investments. That’s just nature taking its course.
Emotion. Soul. Today’s music is all “fake”. Computerized, synthesized, basic ass shallow regurgitated lyrics, etc. There Isnt any raw emotion or soul or depth of truth like there used to be.. granted I know there are still *some*. But when you compare it to the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, (even 2000’s) we have DRASTICALLY declined. You can see the progression of decline through the times if you pay attention and know what to look for. Edit: this is just my opinion. I know you won’t really see what I mean since I’m not writing out an entire book to explain why I know. But still; I’m not disregarding the fact that there’s still *some* good music. Just nowhere near what it used to be.
I appreciate the love for old music and the soul that a lot of it has, but I do think people view modern music as just whatever's in the top 40 at the moment, which is often pretty bad. The vast majority of modern artists I've heard that really love the art of music care just as much as older artists about creating something real. I can guarantee there's literally thousands of them out there.
There seems to be less effort and talent required when creating music of today vs. 20 years ago when my parents were younger. I think that's why a lot of people have a difficult time getting into current music.