The big difference between albums and algorithms

Credit: lucy ;) on Pinterest

Today we have access to constant music consumption through streaming services with informed algorithms, recommendations, and curations for the listener. As of 2026, an odd 800 million people now rely on music streaming platforms to listen to their favourite songs. Some argue this is a good thing, while others argue that this is the start of a very dangerous path.

This story aims to persuade the everyday people who love music to steer clear of streaming service algorithms and re-establish the artistic significance of human curated singles, EPs, and albums, and the importance of physical media. There are some fundamental problems with algorithm-based listening, and gigantic differences between albums and algorithms when it comes to quality and ethics.

Untrustworthiness

Any online algorithm isn’t designed to help you find new good music, it’s been designed to keep you on the app for as long as possible. It serves up the safest songs possible to keep you from pressing stop. In this case, big streaming service giants like Spotify and Apple Music use personal data to constantly recommend songs that won't make you satisfied, the same way Instagram shows you an endless barrel of reels that won't satisfy you, and the same way Netflix recommends movies that have you scrolling through the recommendations screen for 30 minutes and forgetting to actually watch any specific film or show.

Artistic importance

The difference between algorithmic listening compared to listening to an album start to finish, or with listening to radio, is that the music on there is intrinsically and thoughtfully curated/created by people, for people. Artists and radio announcers have the intention of helping you find good music. Any artist who creates an album puts songs in a specific order because they want to convey something creative/emotional and make you feel something, whether that be sadness, joy, anger, or love.

These albums might be mainstream, but it doesn't mean they aren't emotionally diverse. (Photo: Peave on Pinterest)

Massive disadvantage for small artists

The algorithm constantly pushes more generic, or at least more popular music to be played for you. This is due to a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s because artists pay streaming giants money to push their music more, like we’ve seen with Spotify's so called “Discovery Mode” which is actually just overforced music they play because the artist paid them money to. Other times it’s because popular music is deemed safe; the algorithm assumes it will keep you from pressing stop because the song follows conventional techniques and won't satisfy you.

Healthy Alternatives

Now that we've established some of the problems with algorithmic listening, you might be thinking about finding new routes to find new music. Here is a list of some of my favourite ways I’ve found out about some of my favourite artists:

• Friends’ recommendations: Talk with your inner circle about any music you think they should put you on. I’ve discovered so many artists through recommendations from my friends or family.

• Radio: Listening to radio is extremely good because this is where the most human curation is involved. Actual music experts who know the genre and its audience want to make playlists for you.

• Music news: It’s a great way to place yourself in culture and learn more about the artists before you listen to them. You’re likely to find some really good bands or artists, especially underground ones.

• Record & CD stores: Not only is it an alternative for finding new music, but it’s also a great alternative for listening to music entirely. When you grab a vinyl and put it on the record player in your family’s living room it’s so much more real and it’s a moment you remember longer than you would than simply going on your phone and pressing play.

Rocking Horse Records is one of Brisbane's most popular record stores, with hundreds of people passing through every day. (Photo: rockinghorse.net)

If I had to sum everything up I would say that algorithmic listening is just dumb and sloppy. You just go on your phone and press play and let a robot decide what you listen to. That would work maybe if you were in charge of the music being played at Kmart. But you aren't. If you really want to find music you love, things like radio, physical media, and communities are great alternatives and will give you a better outlook on music and supporting the music industry.