Can't argue with you on the mainstream stuff it's mostly paint-by-numbers garbage. But honestly there's loads of great music out there, it's just not being shoved in your face.

Streaming algorithms push whatever gets clicks, so anything with a bit of risk or originality gets buried pretty fast. And it's not like this is new, every decade has had its era of terrible commercial drivel. The 80s were full of it. The 90s too. The good stuff just tends to survive and the crap gets forgotten.

What kind of music you itno? Might be worth starting a thread. I'd bet there's something out there that'd scratch the itch, just needs finding.

Yeah the algorithm thing is the real killer. It's not just that bad music exists, it's that the whole system is built to amplify it. Anything that doesn't hook you in 8 seconds gets dumped. That said, the "music is supposed to be art not business" thing it's always been both, even for the greats.

The difference is the balance has gone completely sideways now. But like the previous reply says, the good stuff is still out there. You just have to go looking for it rather than waiting for it to find you. What era or sound are you missing?

I just wish good music was more appreciated. So many people seem happy with pop songs that follow the same repeated structure over and over. Drives me crazy.

You're both right though, I need to dig deeper. In an ideal world, good creative music should rise to the top and be celebrated.

Pop music is for kids if you ask me. Every new one sounds like the last.