It’s time to try something new. There’s no problem with sticking to what you know, but I’ve seen people both in person and online who won’t have anything to do with music from the past 20 years, discounting it all as bad. Instead of dwelling on the past, people should live in the moment and give modern music a fair chance.
Today, an increasing number of young people are turning to older music. In recent years, rock — a genre popularized in the 1950s — has seen a notable rise in popularity, especially among Gen Z, becoming one of the most-streamed genres in 2025. In an Esquire article, the enduring popularity of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” (1977) was discussed, and multiple Gen Z listeners explained its appeal and why it still resonated with them nearly 50 years after its release.
These patterns show an enduring appreciation for quality. The album contains endless hooks along with excellent musicianship and harmonies that capture listeners’ attention. The lyrics range from biting and cold to hopeful and fun, reflecting a band in disarray and making the songs stick with people. Every track is meticulously engineered for fantastic sonic quality. The article demonstrates how these aspects resonate differently with different people, and to me, it shows that modern taste hasn’t been tainted; people still recognize artistic merit. Younger listeners today who listen to “Rumours” aren’t only listening to ‘70s Fleetwood Mac, and they aren’t just listening to music from that era.
I’m no Swiftie, but Taylor Swift has a very similar appeal to Stevie Nicks: the drama behind her music, her success as a female solo artist, a plethora of breakup songs, and an undeniable artistic talent in songwriting. Today, I still see themes and subject matters of “Rumours” covered by artists in interesting ways. These projects, such as “IGOR” (2019) by Tyler, the Creator, a fantastic mainstream hip-hop album centered around a breakup, continue to be hits.
The idea that music has lost quality over the years is not uncommon. The most-streamed genres today are pop and hip-hop/rap, which are also the genres with the most mainstream radio airplay. As a result, those comparing today’s hits to the popular genres of the past — namely rock — tend not to see anything worthwhile, because the styles differ heavily from rock. One specific turn-off is the heavy change in general sound and smaller reliance on raw instruments. Another major deterrent is what some see as a prioritization of popularity over artistry.
The general change in sound is brought up when discussing modern music. Hip-hop is a very polarizing genre despite its popularity, and while there are crossovers, a typical rap song contrasts heavily with a typical rock song, often due to the absence or reduction of live instruments or a vocal melody.
Of course, it differs from song to song. Modern pop has vocal melodies, but also tends to use live instruments sparingly, which makes many listeners view it as less authentic than music that does. Pop and hip-hop also tend to be the most common genres played in public or modern radio stations, which likely led to a false presumption that modern music is “all slop” with no merit due to its unfamiliarity. I find this misrepresentation unfortunate. For one, the hip-hop genre is filled with lyrical and thematic merit, and many pop songs are well-structured with meaningful lyrics. Both genres can demonstrate the strides of modern production and new sounds.
Many believe that the music today is soulless and stale. I have to agree, but only to a certain extent. Radio-friendly songs obviously receive the most radio play — which gives room for uninspired earworms — which is no new development. Unfortunately, many of these songs also find popularity on social media in the form of fifteen-second clips, which only worsens the reputation of modern music.
Still, in this age of the internet and streaming services, it’s easier than ever to find new music that appeals to you. Many streaming services have algorithms that can recommend new releases based on a person’s listening patterns, and the accessibility of new music for a low price should only encourage you to further expand your taste.
Ironically, the internet can be a great benefit for discovering music, despite also pushing out soulless drivel. In five seconds, you can find recommendations based on your taste from real people instead of algorithms, and discover that the genres you love didn’t die — they just evolved, made use of the modern age, and took advantage of the artistry still alive. There is a lasting connection between the music of today and the music of the past, as old artists inspire new ones — that’s the reason people who have spent years in the modern music scene can get into stuff from the ‘70s. Just because it sounds different doesn’t discount its merit, or the soul that goes into it. I’ve heard music with little to no instruments that hit me just as deeply as some of my favorite Beatles songs.
Even if you have a sour impression of modern music or aren’t looking to expand your taste, don’t call all — or even most — modern music objectively bad.
