Why artists are looking beyond streaming to get their music heard
Musicians have struggled over the past couple of decades, first with rampant piracy in the early MP3 and file-sharing era around the turn of the millennium, then with the shift to subscription-based streaming services, which brought concerns about per-play payouts and discoverability.
In this context, it’s not difficult to appreciate why artists are incentivized to turn their attention to other mediums as a means of getting their music heard and building an audience that can make this a viable career as opposed to just a passion.
Music opinion: Why does every song now have multiple versions?
Songs don’t really have only one version anymore, writes Music News Blitz’s Fatima Azize.
If you hear something once, that’s not necessarily actually the version that sticks.
There could be a sped-up version. Or a slowed one. Or some random remix trending on TikTok that makes you forget what the original even sounded like.
It’s weird because this didn’t used to happen.
There used to just be the song - maybe a remix if it was big enough - but that felt like an extra, not the main thing.
Now it feels like releasing one version is just the starting point.
Music analysis: Why are listeners rediscovering longer songs?
From Taylor Swift’s 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ to classic epics like Telegraph Road by Dire Straits, lengthy songs continue to captivate audiences despite the rise of short-form content.
As streaming and social media reshape listening habits, Music News Blitz’s Jessica Spilsbury explores why listeners may be rediscovering long-form music.
Music analysis: Why music feels less monumental in the streaming era
Claims are often made that “music used to matter more,” and “it used to tell stories,” implying that today's music doesn’t hold the same substance that it once did, writes Music News Blitz’s Darshan Kaur Gill.
Vinyl revival: Is physical music making a comeback?
Vinyl records, CDs and cassettes are all experiencing a resurgence – some may have thought this was a trend but as time progresses it's clear that there's something deeper going on.
Streaming has made everything easier and more convenient, with skippable tracks and quick music discovery – but physical formats are a commitment to an album.
Small effort changes can alter the experience entirely.
Music News Blitz writer Bella Ford reports.