As an avid music listener and an enjoyer of all different genres, I regret to admit that I think that music, as a whole, has regressed. Lyrically, musically, stylistically, music is not where it was 35 or even 25 years ago. Most of it, I believe, has to do with the modern obsession with short attention spans. Some of it might also have to do with the modern recording method and record label system.

Similar to how social media prioritizes instant satisfaction and grabbing attention quickly, new record labels have recently prioritized quick, catchy, and repetitive melodies and lyrics. This makes music so boring. Artists have started relying more on their producers, ghost writers,

There has always been shallow music, but it’s grown substantially in quantity. I believe music has lost its substance. I feel like people don’t put as much emotion or weight into their songs. This might have to do with the fact that music can be produced at rapid paces.

40 years ago, artists had to work on songs for weeks and months to make it perfect and album worthy. Of course, every now and then, there would be a perfect first take; Ray Charles was famous for his one-take songs. But now, songs, even albums can be produced in a day or less than a week. Because of this, there is less passion, work, and thought put into each project.

After the music industry was digitized, record labels began their gradual shift toward a single-focused industry, rather than putting focus into good, full albums. Take for example Pink Floyd who would put hours into making their albums a whole, continuous, musical, and sensitive experience. Nowadays, labels focus on singles: quick catchy hits that satisfy the audience.

Despite all this, I still see hope in many topical artists, and I have hope for the future. Artists like Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Adele, Olivia Dean, Billie Eilish and so many more that I see hope in. Occasionally, these artists might make a rough song or two, but everyone is subject to that, I believe.

In fact, I believe some of the best artists are the ones being unappreciated by the record labels simply because they are creating songs that mean something to them and that they can put passion into. For example, bands like Delta Spirit, Spoon, and Wilco (go check them out).