There are music milestones associated with every decade. Many people think back on the 60s, 70s and 80s with fondness, especially as it relates to music. Given the fact that innovation is constantly changing the way we enjoy music, there’s no doubt that it will continually evolve. The information below sheds light on music trends for 2020.
Genre Classification Is Changing
In prior decades, you could listen to a song and immediately pinpoint the genre. When it comes to music industry changes, at the top of the list is the blurred lines between genres. This is happening across the board. For instance, there are country songs mixed with hip-hop, and gospel songs mixed with R&B. When a crossover occurs, what’s the proper way to categorize the song? This very issue is why genres are not what they used to be. In fact, some believe they will eventually disappear. There will continue to be songs that are considered hybrid and marketed across cultures.
You can often see genre changes happening when listening to a playlist, For instance, someone who prefers jazz or classical music, may very well have songs on their playlist that are considered country or R&B, yet have elements of their preferred music. Even if genres don’t disappear altogether, the clear lines between types of music that existed in past decades will continue to dissipate.
Songs Are Not As Long
Last year, the length of a song was three minutes and seven seconds on average. This was shorter then the average length of a song in 2018, which was three minutes and 37 seconds. You can expect the average length of songs to further decrease this year. In fact, it’s already starting to happen. Why? Partly because music makers want to minimize the chance of a song being skipped. This is an issue that occurs when a song on a playlist is too long.
In decades past, most people would enjoy longer songs and listen until the very end. It’s as though everyone’s attention span is shorter because longer songs are far more likely to get skipped than ever before. It usually happens well into the song, which is why making tracks shorter is often a good solution. Simply put, songs are getting shorter to accommodate the way in which people listen to music on their playlist.
Music is Reminiscent of the 1980s
Do you remember music from the 80s? In the music industry, it’s considered one of the greatest decades of all time. There were incredible artists with distinct voices in the 80s, which is something that’s making a comeback. It’s also a period that was filled with high-energy anthems and the extensive use of synthesizers. There was also a clear aesthetic that accompanied music back then. It’s why 80s themed parties are so much fun.
When you look at pop stars that are ranking high on the charts today, it’s easy to see the inspiration from decades ago, especially artists like Billie Eilish, HER and The Weeknd. The fact that these artists are so different, yet resonate with a similar crowd is reminiscent of the 80s.
Promoting Music Is Easier
There was a time when up-and-coming artists promoted their music by making tapes or CDs and selling them out of their car trunk. In times past, that was considered a creative way to get your career started. When you think about technologies used to promote music today, the options are endless. In fact, it can be quite overwhelming when you think about the different platforms on which music is exchanged.
From live streaming to YouTube videos, promoting music is much easier. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of competition, because there is. Technology just makes it easier to make your talent known. It’s also easier to connect with fans, even if you’re an up and coming artist.
Source: ShutterstockMore Artists Bundle Merchandise
There has been a steady increase in the consumption of streaming music. As a result, sales of physical products are down. However, what has increased is bundling. For instance, some artists sale vinyl records with wearable merchandise. Since they can’t get around the fact that most music is enjoyed through streaming services, they can boost sales by bundling merchandise.
No matter how you look at it, now is a great time to be a music artist. With the technology that’s available today and the opportunities that exist because of it, artists have a much better chance of making their dreams come true. Although it’s still necessary to hustle, the hard work is more likely to pay off. Additionally, music artists have access to affordable technology that can significantly raise production quality during the early stages of their career.
