In 2023, over 2.3 million songs were added to Spotify's vast library. Stop and think: how is this shaping the way we listen, connect with, and value music? In seconds, we swipe past the lifework of artists, dismissing their creativity with a flick of a finger. Has this convenience diluted our standards for what we consider good music?

The Music Industrial Complex—driven by algorithms—dictates what dominates our playlists. It decides what’s trending, effectively curating what we all hear. The power of choice, once ours, now lies in their hands.

If we continue to devalue the music we consume, we risk losing the human artist altogether. With livelihoods undercut and creative incentives eroded, artificial intelligence may take centre stage, leaving humanity's touch with music a distant memory. Take the opportunity to value the music and the artist by purchasing the songs you love to listen to.