The inevitability of ageing and the tendency to reminisce about the past is a universal experience. 

A recent survey by music streaming service Deezer reveals that, on average, people stop discovering new music at the age of 30.5. 

The survey, based on 1,000 Brits, indicates that 60% find themselves stuck in a musical rut, repeatedly listening to the same songs. The peak age for music discovery is identified as 24, with 75% of respondents stating they listened to 10 or more new tracks weekly, but interest declines thereafter.

Reasons for this decline include feeling overwhelmed by choices (19%), demanding jobs (16%), and childcare responsibilities (11%). 

Almost half of respondents express a desire for more time to explore new music. Deezer’s UK & Ireland music editor, Adam Read, notes that people often experience “musical paralysis” in their thirties due to the vast music landscape.

Research suggests that our musical preferences become deeply rooted in adolescence, with familiar songs stimulating pleasure responses in the brain. 

The phenomenon of listening to the same songs repeatedly is linked to the anticipation phase, where certain parts of a song trigger dopamine release. The study also highlights that the music one loves during adolescence tends to stay with them, contributing to the repetition of favoured tracks over time.

#MaltaDaily