Has the digital era ruined our ability to enjoy music?

[GypsyWoman]

This discussion could really go on for pages and pages, but I thought I'd keep it focused on Britney's music specifically; after all, it IS the Britney section.

Anyway, I was sitting here thinking about the current state of music and it's no secret or crazy revelation that the internet has made music much more accessible. Perhaps for better? Perhaps not?

I love the digital access to music because with a touch of a button, I have access to millions of songs at my disposal. I choose what I want, when I want and there's no waiting. There's no driving to the nearest CD store to purchase the album or waiting in line. Driving around town and feel like listening to "I'm A Slave 4 U"? Easy, hit search, and BAM! There it is.

But I can't help but feel that having such easy access to music is also a curse. Why you ask? Because I find myself not appreciating music as much. It's become disposable. I consider myself lucky because I grew up during the technological switch of the 90's and the digital music age of the 00's. I remember waiting in line for a CD so I could go home and play it on repeat until the CD was scratched beyond repair. Today? I skip through and fast forward through songs to see if I MAY like them and if I don't...NEXT! I can't remember the last time I heard an album all the way through or flipped through a CD booklet reading the credits and thank you notes from the artist. It kind of bums me out.

I bring this up, because I often wonder if the easy access to music has hindered our ability to enjoy Britney's music or any music for that reason. We can all argue that her latest albums are lack luster compared to previous works, but in reality, have we given them a chance? Or are we simply quick to dispose of them because we can easily go find other music by other artists that we think is better or much more enjoyable?

You can almost think of music as someone who has loads of money. You have access to all the luxuries money can buy. It's easy to see why someone may not be able to truly appreciate what they have.

Just a thought...

[reecejwilson]

I have spotify but I still buy physical CD'S but only if it's singers I enjoy like Britney and Gaga - my recent purchase was Nelly Furtado's new album ''The Ride'' and it's fantastic from start to finish  Slay Nelly!

 

 

[Spearsfan]

I feel like the younger generation wants everything and they want it now. They get it and they want more.

I personally still buy CDs and appreciate music and I love all her music but bj.

The lack of connection with Britney's music for the last 10 years is from Britney herself. 

I mean we barely get anything. We all would have been happy with a long Glory era. But the with music you want great visuals and connection which Britney lacks. Which is what sold Britney. Literally the only thing keeping Britney afloat since Circus is her old legacy. 

[Kiiddy]

I think it does have an impact on the new gen, but I think it also depends on the person as well tbh.

Some people who really love and appreciate music will still do all the things you mentioned,
like listening properly to an entire song or album and read the album booklets, etc.
Actual music fans will always be a lot more involved and passionate as a whole with music.
Though the average regular person who just likes music... they are the ones who I think don't have
the same feeling, appreciation or patience for music that society used to have back in the 90s and the millennium.
I'm not completely certain what that means for Britney in this case, but for me personally whenever she releases good music,
I still listen to it in full and regularly as well. I appreciate it too and still buy the physical copy of her albums, with as well as stream them.
I didn't like Pretty Girls the single, so I didn't buy it. Though when Glory came out, that was another story...   

[bchile]

Mostly yes, now we have access to a lot of artist and sometimes for free so we listen just because is there and not for our desicion, like the experience of buy a physical CD. 

[GypsyWoman]

3 minutes ago, Spearsfan said:

I feel like the younger generation wants everything and they want it now. They get it and they want more.

I personally still buy CDs and appreciate music and I love all her music but bj.

The lack of connection with Britney's music for the last 10 years is from Britney herself. 

I mean we barely get anything. We all would have been happy with a long Glory era. But the with music you want great visuals and connection which Britney lacks. Which is what sold Britney. Literally the only thing keeping Britney afloat since Circus is her old legacy. 

I agree that the younger generation relies on instant gratification, but I do feel like that "i want it and I want it now" attitude does make things a lot more disposable and forgettable. While I can agree Britney's changed in terms of her outreach to her fans, I do think a lot of it is due to the fact that she's become so easily accessible through social media. When she first started, while the paps followed her, we didn't hear or see much about her behind closed doors. I think that allowed Britney to be more open because her life wasn't over-scrutinized. I think once the media took a turn and her life was out on full display, she maybe decided to step back and just not say or do much. That ultimately led down a path where we fans feel disconnected maybe?

[CJMCH]

Actually, we are in the streaming era.

The digital era saved the music industry, cuz there was no solution to piracy/illegal downloading and P2P programs, which were the cause of sales decrease in the 00's. This was the only solution to kinda survive illegal file sharing and it only became more effective with streaming, since for people that doesn't collect music,  there's no need to download the music to hear it anymore.

Yes, it has also "decreased" the value of music, because you have everything you want with an instant click, but I wouldn't say it makes me enjoy it less. What I think it's happening is that people is now more selective with what they hear, cuz if they don't like it they can instantly skip it or remove it from their playlist, so in that way their catalogue is more specific to their tastes.

In case of Britney, as long as she delivers, I'm going to enjoy it, but as I said, streaming is making us being more selective and, unlike before, "filler tracks" are going to affect her directly.

[OutrageousSin]

%100 

apart from the obvious lack of physical sales, the celebs in general are way too exposed and reachable nowadays! The limitations with the news/appearances was actually working on their side few years ago! Idk I feel like it made them somehow a bit more interesting back then!

now people fight over their fav on twitter & Facebook while back then the **** get sorted after school lol lol 

I  still remember, I was so young and two girls 3 grades older than me were literally tearing each other's cloths off when I asked arounds why it turned out all that **** because of Nsync VS Backstreet Boys!  it was so innocent yet so dramatic lmao I miss those days tbh 

 

[Spearsfan]

2 minutes ago, GypsyWoman said:

I agree that the younger generation relies on instant gratification, but I do feel like that "i want it and I want it now" attitude does make things a lot more disposable and forgettable. While I can agree Britney's changed in terms of her outreach to her fans, I do think a lot of it is due to the fact that she's become so easily accessible through social media. When she first started, while the paps followed her, we didn't hear or see much about her behind closed doors. I think that allowed Britney to be more open because her life wasn't over-scrutinized. I think once the media took a turn and her life was out on full display, she maybe decided to step back and just not say or do much. That ultimately led down a path where we fans feel disconnected maybe?

I could care less about her personal life which isn't our business. Which isn't even the issue with Britney obviously because ever since her breakdown they have used almost every bf for publicity. 

She is an entertainer there is no reason to not talk about the music unless there is clearly no passion or connection to it for Britney herself. 

The visuals is what made Britney a legend. If you throw Dancing out of the mix, good visuals, no singing.... what is Britney. 

I don't see how social media has anything to do with it since almost every artist can still get the album visually out there. 

[Midnights]

A true fan of music in general would not use digital platforms or would use them not that much.

I consider myself to be one and we LOVE the scratches by playing a vinyl. We love having to switch the record to side B or to put on Vinly 2 for sides C and D. We love flipping through the booklets of a CD while listening it ON CD. 

 

People that only use music through digital platforms or just not that into music. I mean if it's good, why would you bother spending some bucks when you walk around with the newest iPhone? The new generation of music listeners have become greedy and lazy. They are a HUGE reason why the industry is failing nowadays. It is one of the reasons why music is often rushed and has less better quality (production and lyric wise).

They are the reason why singles are barely being produced physically and soon the CD will dissapear entirely meaning no physical ALBUMS no more.

Call me crazy but I LOVED rushing to a store after school, being all hyped up and getting that deluxe edition of Circus. Coming home jamming to it all night. Aaah the sweet memories.