Playlists Vs Albums

Firstly, this blog has been born from reading a recent Pitchfork media article. I'd hate to claim the research as my own, but my views most certainly are!

I have always marveled at the artistry and craftsmanship of an album/record/LP. A collection of tracks solely designed to be delivered together in a particular order. That might sound obvious, but for me people have forgotten the beauty of albums and their strength and power when listened to as a single piece of music rather than separate entities. As music has evolved with the digital era, it has become ever more disposable and disjointed. Mainstream radio stations have always played singles rather than albums, but it seems the gap between listening to albums and purely enjoying a song here and there from different artists, is growing. Streaming platforms have of course made this easier, with any song off any album being readily available.

Therefore, imagine my surprise when I learnt this week that whilst album listens were in decline, they have been overtaken by a different form of musical collection - the playlist. Collections of music which perhaps share a common topic or purpose or are even just considered a good mix. Mix tapes for example have been around a very long time and I often enjoy them as part of  an end of year/decade list. As useful as they may be, the music is rarely designed to be ordered and listened to in this form. So why is it more popular?

The Pitchfork article I mentioned at the very beginning revealed the following:



Free Streaming Listeners: Album 31% Playlist 45%
Paid Streaming Subscribers: Album 60% Playlist: 68%

Overall: Album 29% Playlist 31%



Music discovery is perhaps one answer. A collection of different tracks with different artists but within a particular genre, can offer listeners new music opportunities. Certainly a quick and effective method.  Maybe collections of music need a greater purpose nowadays rather than for pure enjoyment. Fitness or gym workouts are a clear example of this. Music with a dance beat being what is important to the listener. Call me old fashioned but a playlist titled 'Songs to sing to in the shower' (this actually exists) doesn't fill me with excitement like a new album of music. Is there really any skill to assembling these songs? Let alone creating them with the vision of an album as the end result. Music is talent, skill and creativity. Some playlists scupper the creative element which a well formulated album possesses.

One pro-playlist campaigner argues that a benefit is the showcasing of smaller artists by including their 'best song'. Whilst any representation of a smaller artist is a good thing, who exactly decides what is considered an artists 'best song'? Are these always singles? How do they work in context with the rest of the album? Again, a good album is as much about order and relevance than just a decent 3/4 minutes of music. I can think of many albums where my favourite tracks are not considered popular or the most well known. 'Let Down' - Radiohead - OK Computer springs to mind.

I hope the album is here to stay. For me personally, it is musics most elegant, sophisticated and respectable form.

Music lovers rather than music consumers will most likely agree.


http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/9686-up-next-how-playlists-are-curating-the-future-of-music/