A new study conducted suggests that people over the age of 30 tend not to seek out new music, a state referred to as “musical paralysis.”
The survey, conducted by music streaming service Deezer, polled 1,000 Americans about their listening habits and found that, on average, people reach “musical paralysis” at an age of 29 years and 10 months. The results also indicate that people, on average, reach the peak of their music discovery efforts around age 26.
However, the study suggests that this phenomenon does not result from an overarching opinion about new music, but rather is an issue of time and convenience. As Billboard notes, “The behavioral changes don’t signal a distaste for music — in fact, 60 percent of respondents indicated they would like to expand their musical repertoire. An equal 60 percent said they feel stuck in a musical rut, listening only to music they already know.”
Diving further into the causes of this 30-year new music plateau, the study observes that many people over this age feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of music now available to them. 24% of respondents noted that they are too busy with professional responsibilities to devote time to actively discovering new music, while 15% cited childcare as the main reason behind moving new music down on their list of priorities.
With just 1,000 respondents participating, the study is relatively small in scope—likely too small to make any broad proclamations based on its results. It was also conducted by a streaming service that counts music discovery capabilities as one of its features, meaning it potentially has a considerable amount to gain from these favorable results.
However, the study does illuminate some interesting ideas and common sentiments. One such takeaway is the notion that by age 30, music consumers are more likely to patronize platforms that easily curate the music they already know and love. The generally agreed-upon desire of respondents to expand their musical horizons is also notable. While listeners may be more likely to engage with a service that easily provides music familiar to them, the majority of people appear to crave a platform that also provides easy, low-effort access to new music.
Of course, there’s something to be said for figuring out what you like and remaining loyal to it. Your relationships with the bands you love can be some of the most positive relationships you have in your life. But don’t forget—at one point, you had to discover them, too. There’s plenty of fish in the musical sea. As you get on in years, don’t let “musical paralysis” close you off to the possibility of falling in love all over again.
[H/T Billboard]