Browsing Tag

Music Discovery

Can We Ever Be Entirely Objective About Music?

Posted on 15 August 2024

The question of whether we can ever be entirely objective about music goes beyond personal taste, touching on the intersections of psychology, culture, and personal experience. After all, Music is an art form deeply intertwined with human emotion, identity, and societal context, which complicates the notion of pure sonic objectivity.

Firstly, it’s crucial to acknowledge that music, by its very nature, is subjective. It is an art form that is designed to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and connect with individuals on a personal level. The interpretation of music is inherently influenced by the listener’s personal experiences, cultural background, and emotional state at the time of listening. For instance, a piece of classical music might be appreciated for its technical complexity by one person, while another might find it dull or overly complex based on their tastes and exposure to different music genres. On the flipside, house music can be appreciated for its hypnotically infectious rhythms which are built on repetitive beats and basslines, while others, who prefer variation in melody, rhythm and structure, will find the 4/4 beat monotonous and the lack of narrative disengaging.

The Complexity of Objectivity in Music: Navigating Personal, Cultural, and Emotional Influences

Even music critics, myself included, who often strive for objectivity in their analyses, are not immune to these influences. While we can apply criteria such as technical skill, originality, production quality, the sharpness of the hooks and lyrical content, these reviews are still filtered through their own personal biases and cultural lenses. A critic’s background, preferences, and even mood can influence their interpretation and review of a piece of music. This is why reviews can vary widely from one critic to another; what one considers a masterpiece, another might find underwhelming or pedestrian.

Moreover, the cultural context cannot be overlooked. Music is often a reflection of the society in which it is created, and different cultures have different musical traditions, scales, and rhythms that may appeal to some and not others. What might be considered beautiful and innovative in one culture could be perceived as discordant or alien in another. This cultural subjectivity means that complete objectivity is elusive, as music cannot be separated from the cultural and social contexts that shape both its creation and reception.

Furthermore, the emotional impact of music is highly personal. A song that resonates deeply with one individual might leave another unmoved. This is because music often acts as a trigger for memories and emotions, making the experience of listening unique to each person. The subjective nature of this experience means that different people will always have different opinions on the same piece of music.

Emotional Connections and Personal Relationships

Music has the uncanny ability to act as a bridge between individuals, linking us to the people who matter most in our lives. A single melody can recall a special moment shared with a loved one or reignite feelings from a past relationship. These emotional associations often develop from experiences such as listening to a parent’s favourite songs, celebrating with friends, or even mourning losses. The tracks that soundtrack these moments become more than just sounds; they are imbued with memories and emotions that shape our personal music landscape.

The Impact of Timing in Musical Discovery

The circumstances under which we discover a piece of music significantly colour our perception of it. For many, a song that serves as a solace during a challenging period may hold a special place in their heart long after the difficulty has passed; this is why our coming-of-age soundtracks stick with us throughout our lives. The music which salved growing pains continues to bring us comfort when the disorientating confusion of adolescence is far behind us in the rearview mirror. This phenomenon is a testament to music’s role as a therapeutic tool, not just an auditory experience. The timing of a song’s introduction into our lives can make it almost impossible to detach the music from the context, thus influencing our judgement about its value and meaning.

The Influence of Discovery Mode

How we come across new music can also affect our appreciation of it. When a song comes recommended by a friend whose taste we respect, we are more likely to give it a chance with a positive predisposition. Conversely, when we feel pressured to enjoy certain tracks, perhaps due to their popularity or critical acclaim, our natural inclination might be to resist. This resistance can stem from a desire for autonomy in our choices or from a backlash against perceived mainstream coercion. The mode of discovery, therefore, plays a crucial role in shaping our emotional engagement with music. Few music discovery experiences match the moments when we catch a track by chance and instantly connect with it on a visceral and intrinsic level.

The Cultural and Societal Context

Beyond personal and situational factors, the cultural and societal context in which we experience music also plays a significant role in our subjective interpretations. Music often reflects the values, struggles, and aspirations of the culture it originates from.

Listeners from different backgrounds may therefore react uniquely to the same piece of music, influenced by their own cultural narratives and societal norms. This diversity in reception highlights the difficulty in establishing a universal, objective standard for music appreciation. While there are some artists who can appeal to a broad spectrum of people from all walks of life, and transcend age, genre and cultural boundaries, such as The Beatles, for the most part, universal appeal is unviable, and it is unrealistic and counter-productive for artists to attempt to appeal to the masses.

Conclusion

The depth of our interaction with music is influenced by a mosaic of factors, from deeply personal connections to broader cultural contexts. These elements intertwine to form a unique auditory experience that is profoundly personal and subjective. Given this complexity, it seems unlikely that we can ever truly detach our evaluations of music from our individual experiences and cultural backgrounds. Thus, while objectivity in music appreciation is an appealing concept, it remains largely unattainable. Music, by nature, is destined to be experienced subjectively, resonating differently with each listener, shaped by the myriad threads of their lives.

The beauty of music lies in its ability to mean different things to different people, and it is this diversity of interpretation that makes music such a rich and vital part of human culture.

Article by Amelia Vandergast

Were Impulse Buys in Record Stores the Golden Age of Music Discovery?

Posted on 21 April 2024

Most music fans over the age of 30 can fondly recollect heading to their local record store, browsing the vinyl, cassettes or CDs and making impulse buys on the aesthetics of a physical release alone, but were these bygone era days the golden age of music discovery or do we have rose-tinted glasses on the reflections of our experiences?

In this article, we will cover the pros and cons of the impulse-buying music discovery era before looking into the new ways of music discovery, which are infinitely more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, even if the magic of the tangible experience of heading home with your new potentially favourite record has become lost.

Pros of the Impulse Buying Era of Music Discovery

Tangible Discovery Experiences:

Physical browsing for new music from unknown bands used to provide music fans with a sensory experience that digital platforms struggle to replicate. The tactile feel of flipping through albums and the visual appeal of album art in a record store created a memorable and engaging way to discover music.

Holding an album, admiring its artwork, and reading liner notes create a deeper connection to the music. Physical media artefacts become personal treasures, embodying memories and emotions tied to specific times or events in one’s life. Moreover, the ritual of playing a vinyl record or inserting a CD involves an intentional act of listening that digital streaming often lacks, encouraging a more immersive and focused appreciation of the music.

Artist Revenue & Album Sales

The sale of physical media often resulted in higher per-unit profits for artists and labels, compared to the fractions of a cent earned per stream on most digital platforms today. Furthermore, fans often purchased whole albums rather than single tracks, which benefited artists by promoting a deeper engagement with their work, as well as financially through fuller album sales.

Local Economy Support:

Music stores, especially independent ones, thrived as cultural hubs in communities, supporting local economies and offering music lovers a place to gather and share their interests. In these vibrant spaces, people of all ages and backgrounds could meet, fostering a sense of belonging and community through shared musical interests. Browsing through rows of records offered an immersive experience that encouraged spontaneous conversations and recommendations, leading to the discovery of new artists and genres.

In contrast, today’s digital landscape often promotes a more solitary engagement with music. Streaming services provide convenience and access but lack the interactive, communal atmosphere of record stores. The personal connections once made over album bins are replaced by algorithmic recommendations, leading to a more isolated and less serendipitous experience of music discovery. This shift has diminished the communal aspects of music consumption, making the nostalgic appeal of record stores even more profound for those who remember them.

Cons of Impulse Buying Era

Limited Access and Selection:

The selection was often limited to what was available in the store, which could be constrained by geographical location and store size. This limited fans’ exposure to diverse or international music scenes. The digital age has democratised music production and distribution, allowing independent and niche artists to reach audiences without the need for traditional record labels. This change has enabled many artists to carve out sustainable careers by directly engaging with their fanbase, utilising platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and social media for promotion and sales.

Higher Cost:

Physical media costs significantly more than making digital purchases or enjoying music via streaming services. Now, if we’re broke, we don’t have to worry about missing out on new releases, we can stream them for free or for a minimal fee that unlocks access to millions of artists. Archetypes like the ’50-quid-man’ used to help keep the industry afloat by buying a fistful of CDS every month, and while those kinds of consumers still exist, artists and bands can no longer rely on them.

Inefficiency and Environmental Impact:

Producing vinyl, CDs, and cassettes involves physical materials and manufacturing, which have a larger environmental footprint than digital downloads and streaming. During the 1990s and early 2000s, it was common practice for record labels to overproduce physical media anticipating high demand. When sales projections did not pan out, excess stock was often destroyed or discarded.

Digital Era: A New Landscape

Accessibility and Convenience:

Digital music platforms allow instant access to a vast array of music from around the world, which is especially beneficial for niche and emerging artists who can reach a global audience without the need for physical distribution.

Lower Costs and Less Space:

Digital music eliminates the need for physical storage space and is generally cheaper for consumers, allowing more expansive music collections. While many music fans take immense amounts of pride in their music collections, let’s spare a thought for all of the CD buyers who spent thousands on their collections only to grow out of the purchases and realise that the resale value is dire.

Artist Discovery and Diversity:

Love them or loathe them, streaming services and online platforms can offer sophisticated algorithms that help users discover music that aligns with their tastes, potentially introducing them to a wider range of artists and genres than they might encounter in a physical store.

Conclusion

While there are nostalgic and qualitative benefits to the era of impulse buying in music stores, the digital age offers substantial advantages in terms of accessibility, cost, and diversity.

Of course, there is nothing stopping you from heading down to your local independent record store and taking your chance on an artist by the look of the artwork alone; the fact that this has become much less of a music discovery phenomenon proves that the more contemporary modes of music discovery are far better for music fans – even if the big label artists do suffer as a result and need to rely on touring and merchandising more.

Article by Amelia Vandergast