How to find music you will love without the algorithm
TL;DR
Algorithmic music discovery makes listening passive, reducing intentionality and turning music into background noise. Breaking free requires more active engagement from listeners.
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While there is plenty of criticism to be hurled at what music the algorithm serves to us, and how, the real problem with music discovery in the age of algorithmic recommendations is that listening has become a passive activity. It's too easy to press play and let a pile of code take the wheel. Whether that's creating a "station" based on a particular song or artist, firing up Discover Weekly, or just letting Apple Music autoplay into infinity after a particular album or song ends.
With less involvement from the listener, less intentionality, it's easy for music to simply become background noise. Research suggests that younger generations a …