Why is modern music so awful

Chords, scales, harmony, melody, etc.
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Bombadil wrote: Mon Apr 06, 2026 6:10 pm From Google:

„Key Reasons Cited for the Decline in Quality:
Technological Homogenization: Popular music is often produced using the same computer software (DAWs), drum machines, and synth sounds, leading to a loss of original and varied timbre.
Decline in Complexity: Research indicates that popular music has become louder, with reduced variety in chords, melodies, and instrumentation compared to previous decades.
The "Industry" Effect: Labels now often prioritize viral content and social media trends (like TikTok) over developing artist talent, resulting in music that often feels less "authentic".
Production Over Songwriting: A greater emphasis is placed on audio engineering and studio magic—such as excessive autotune—over actual singing talent and musicianship.
The "Loudness Wars": Modern music is frequently compressed to sound consistently loud, which can make it feel more "fatiguing" and less nuanced to listen to.“

it doesn‘t mention the mega mergers and the hiring of suits who know SFA about music.
That sounds to me like 80s hair metal if you nix the first part

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I missed that, thankfully. It's when I entered my cocoon of 60's rock and 70's Prog. Circa 1985, I stopped listening to my local FM radio channel, and could never be bothered with MTV.
“The Generals sat, and the lines on the map, moved from side to side.”
― Pink Floyd

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oasis we're the final nail.
let's make rock n roll turgid and boring. yay.

luckily, outside the mainstream, there's plenty of cool stuff happening still 8)
:ud:

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Missed them, too. I know the style, but not one of their songs.
“The Generals sat, and the lines on the map, moved from side to side.”
― Pink Floyd

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Every era has something special, even within the homogeneity.
That said, I think the homogeneity comes from the usual suspects; tools/tech and the spirit of the times.

Regardless, in retrospect, whatever that was becomes a curiosity to people who come later. Even those who might have lived through it and hated it at the time. Which I can say has happened to me for a lot of 90's stuff that I thought was trash at the time, but now I feel a strange kind of nostalgia for.

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Those who lived before us had a wider range of unexplored ideas to develop. Time moves forwards and it is increasingly difficult to be original or to invent anything new. Modern day attention span and tolerance can sometimes play a part.
Beware of the gatekeepers and attack dogs and stay safe.

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Seluvis wrote: Wed Apr 08, 2026 3:58 pm Those who lived before us had a wider range of unexplored ideas to develop. Time moves forwards and it is increasingly difficult to be original or to invent anything new. Modern day attention span and tolerance can sometimes play a part.
There are 12 different notes only, so it seems to b limited anyway one might thing. To say everything already has been composed is the poorest excuse, every human is unique and as long humans create music there are still endless songs that could be produced and new genres could be invented.
But the sign of tge times tell me it won't happen, though

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DCrown wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 4:22 am as long humans create music there are still endless songs that could be produced and new genres could be invented.
But the sign of tge times tell me it won't happen, though
Why not? The evidence seems to suggest otherwise.

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DCrown wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 4:22 am
But the sign of tge times tell me it won't happen, though
it's in your hands to do something, as one of those "modern musicians".
be the change you want to see.
:ud:

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DCrown wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 4:22 am
There are 12 different notes only, so it seems to b limited anyway one might thing. To say everything already has been composed is the poorest excuse, every human is unique and as long humans create music there are still endless songs that could be produced and new genres could be invented.
But the sign of tge times tell me it won't happen, though
I wasn't suggesting nothing new can't be created or invented, more like it gets harder. Perhaps with time the human ear could evolve or fuse directly with bio-tech possibly opening up a cambrian explosion of new and interesting ideas?
Exposure is also limiting factor.
Beware of the gatekeepers and attack dogs and stay safe.

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There is some great music being created - especially loving modern fusions of jazz, rock and asian music such as from Baiju Bhatt & Red Sun - also there are some fantastic new musicians like Mohini Dey, Domi, JD Beck into fusion, the scene seems really strong at the moment - the actual level of musicianship is astonishing (also some older artists like Thundercat and Tosin Abasi who blow me away for their skills)

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DCrown wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 4:22 am There are 12 different notes only
False.

<insert Angine de Poitrine or gamelan ensemble gif here>
Set Theory claim:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate.
Red is Red and anything that is Red is an object, a class in itself or a real thing if you prefer"

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whyterabbyt wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2026 10:20 am
DCrown wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 4:22 am There are 12 different notes only
False.

<insert Angine de Poitrine or gamelan ensemble gif here>
Yeah its just an arbitrary division. A modern day collection of pleasing tones.
Beware of the gatekeepers and attack dogs and stay safe.

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whyterabbyt wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2026 10:20 am
DCrown wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 4:22 am There are 12 different notes only
False.

<insert Angine de Poitrine or gamelan ensemble gif here>

<insert failed attempt at AdP triangle here> :dog: :lol:
Always Read the Manual!

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whyterabbyt wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2026 10:20 am
Angine de Poitrine
Yes, they seem very interesting (although I have only heard 4 tracks by them)

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