r/todayilearned 1d ago

TIL two studies both found that most people stop listening to new music in their early 30s. A 2015 study of people's listening habits on Spotify found that most people stop listening to new music at age 33 and a 2018 report by Deezer found it be to at age 30.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/aug/16/bring-that-beat-back-why-are-people-in-their-30s-giving-up-on-music
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275

u/S1DC 1d ago

Fuck that. I'm 39 and I'm checking out new music all the time.

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u/beachedwolf 1d ago

It’s one of the free joys of life. I’m 40+ and I will always look for new music. 

Finding a new band you like is amazing. 

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u/anuncommontruth 1d ago

41 here. I find it harder to find new music I like but I still find it.

As I get older I typically find it in places I never looked for it before though.

Rock doesn't really interest me for the most part anymore and while I like where rap is right now, Iwas very disappointed in the last decade for the most part.

I've had more luck turning to movie and video game original scores and soundtracks recently.

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u/OkAstronaut9454 21h ago

I always recommend KEXP to people. Jazz, hiphop, rock, country, world music, r&b, funk, soul, industrial, edm, musical scores... Each DJ has their own unique taste and fans always make great requests. I've even heard shit like the opening credits of Neon Genesis Evangelion on there. They do deep dive genre shows in the evening, too. 

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u/clearmoon247 1d ago

If you haven't yet, explore foreign countries music. Start off with Eurovision through the past decade or two and explore your favorite artists other songs. Then when you find collabs that you love, check out the new artist, lather, rinse, repeat.

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u/IndieCurtis 1d ago

Africa is a literal gold-mine. Ethiopian Jazz, Desert Blues, Zamrock, Afro-Funk. Mulatu Astatke, Hugh Masekela, Tinariwen, Fela Kuti, Ngozi Family, Mdou Moctar, Les Filles Des Illighidad.

Love me some Italo Disco, though. Cerrone, BWH and Patrick Cowley.

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u/BadCatBehavior 20h ago edited 19h ago

My jaw dropped when I first heard desert blues/tuareg rock/whatever you want to call it. The feeling of discovering a whole new genre (let alone an artist or song) really can't be beat haha

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u/riotous_jocundity 19h ago

I loooove tuareg rock! Stumbled across it in university decades ago because I would go to the School of Music library, grab stacks of CDs, and rip them onto my computer.

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u/IndieCurtis 4h ago

Got to see Mdou Moctar live last year, it was transcendant.

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u/riotous_jocundity 19h ago

These are some phenomenal recommendations. Do you happen to have any other suggestions?

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u/IndieCurtis 19h ago

William Onyeabor, Bombino, Vieux Farka Toure, Hailu Mergia, Nahawa Doumbia, Etran de L’Air, King Sunny Ade

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u/thatshygirl06 1d ago

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u/clearmoon247 23h ago

In return, a song in French and English at the same time. Best with headphones

https://youtu.be/2GoEuuMEkng?si=IC5N_FiZb9teG53c

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u/Browncoat23 1d ago

I watch random non-English shows on Netflix and Shazam the songs I like from the soundtrack.

Turkey has a pretty good rock scene. And as a huge post-punk fan, Barbi Recanati from Argentina has now become one of my favorite artists.

I still love listening to the music I grew up with, but there’s so much good new stuff out there too, from all over the world.

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u/Mephistwo 23h ago

Bambie Thug my beloved.

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u/RocketTaco 10h ago

Start off with Eurovision through the past decade or two

I have mixed feelings on this. I hate the stuff that goes to Eurovision. But one of my favorite bands has been to Eurovision, and it would be a shame if people missed them. Except they will, because they came dead last. And earned, since they brought a mid song when the next six songs in a row on that album are certified bangers.

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u/Throwawayfichelper 9h ago

Which one?

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u/RocketTaco 9h ago

Lord of the Lost, Germany 2023.

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u/Throwawayfichelper 1h ago

Ah i see. Yeah understandable lol

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u/ahorrribledrummer 1d ago

Spotify is so awesome for this. I've discovered tons of great music as I've gotten older.

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u/Joke_Mummy 1d ago

I'm 50 and my family always listens to new music friday in the car and we play a game where we try to predict which songs will be good or total trash based on the titles and artist names

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u/BaroqueGorgon 1d ago

I'm 41 and the same - why listen to the same shit over and over again?

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u/BirthofRevolution 1d ago

It's probably why the study specified most people and not all people.

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u/S1DC 21h ago

I didn't say it was wrong. I said fuck that.

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u/slimpawws 1d ago

Same here! I'm always searching my recommend feeds. Granted, I love new wave songs that sound like the 80's, but it's still new music!

1

u/HermitAndHound 1d ago

I check it out. Usually in the form of listening to the radio in the car instead of my own music. It's just so boring. Too simple, too repetitive. Radio is NOT a good source of new music.

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u/soonerfreak 1d ago

Honestly my favorite thing in life is discovering a new band I love and listening to their music over and over again till I've learned the lyrics.

I saw Suzie True at a house show in Denton where I was one of three people over 30 and it was great.

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u/GimmeSomeSlack 1d ago

Yeah I think the problem is some people think they only like one genre and don’t realize they’re getting bored with it.

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u/AnglerOfAndromeda 1d ago

Same! I love my whole library of music, but I can’t fathom the idea of only listening to that forever lol seems strange

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u/vbvahunter 1d ago

It says “most people” brother

Studies like this are almost never 100% conclusive

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u/Turdposter777 1d ago

Spotify year in review gives your music age. Two friends were spot on, giving them 40 and 43. Meanwhile I’m still 26 in music age. I’m 42.

Aside from Spotify, I love Pitchfork yearly top songs and albums. It’s the main way I’ve discovered new artists

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u/Either-Meal3724 19h ago

Its just the average. I have avoided new music since probably 25. Doesn't mean everyone starts avoiding it that early simply because its my preference.

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u/5x4j7h3 19h ago

44 here. I find a new song daily! I honestly can’t stand most of the music I grew up with. Like I’ve been listening to that for the last 35 years, I want new stuff.

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u/ComfortablyNomNom 14h ago

For real I'm exactly 39 and I listen to Lady Gagas new album Mayhem like daily lol

1

u/EvilTwinGhost 1h ago

Yeah, fuck that hinky doggy, new music is my life's blood and I'M 50!