The Algorithm Ate My Favourite Song

There was a time when discovering new music felt like digging through crates at a record store; messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal. Now, discovery happens with a scroll. Open Spotify, TikTok, or YouTube, and the algorithm delivers a steady stream of recommended songs tailored to past listening habits. The convenience is undeniable, but the experience has become passive. Music has been reduced to background noise, designed for consumption rather than real appreciation.

Streaming services and algorithm-driven discovery have reshaped not only how people listen to music but also what kind of music is made. The industry no longer revolves around albums or artistic expression; it revolves around engagement. Take a look at Today's Top Hits on Spotify; Messy by Lola Young exploded on TikTok and now charts at number 11 globally, while songs like Sailor Song by Gigi Perez and Beautiful Things by Benson Boone, which similarly debuted on TikTok, hold the 15th and 16th spots. The shift has turned music into fast food—quick, predictable, and optimized for mass appeal. The result is a landscape where artists are pressured to create content that fits neatly into algorithmic formulas rather than take creative risks.

This transformation is not accidental. Streaming services make money not by promoting artistry but by keeping users engaged. This is exemplified as songs like Paint The Town Red by Doja Cat and Greedy by Tate McRae, which were pushed by streaming services due to their hypnotic melodies that encourage replays, as well as their ability to fuel TikTok dance trends that drive virality. Their algorithms favor songs that encourage long listening sessions, often selecting music like Stay by Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi, tracks that blend seamlessly into the background. Record labels, in response, shape artists to fit these criteria, emphasizing hook-driven tracks, shorter runtimes, and viral potential. The system rewards predictability, creating an endless loop of predictable music that sounds familiar even upon first listen.

Artists are the ones paying the price. Streaming services pay musicians fractions of a cent per stream, forcing them to produce more content at a rapid pace to make a living. Independent artists, who lack the marketing power of major labels, struggle to gain visibility. The algorithm’s grip on discovery makes it difficult for emerging musicians to break through unless they conform to its demands. Instead of encouraging creativity, the industry prioritizes engagement metrics, reinforcing a cycle where only certain types of music are pushed to the forefront.

Video taken from Youtube of Beyonce sharing her opinion.

There is a way to change this trajectory by actively seeking out music from independent radio stations, music blogs, and local artists disrupts the algorithm’s hold on discovery. Listening to full albums rather than curated playlists shifts the focus back to the artistry behind a body of work. Directly supporting musicians through purchases on platforms like Bandcamp ensures they receive fair compensation. When audiences engage with music outside of algorithmic recommendations, they create demand for greater diversity in sound and storytelling. Industry-wide changes are also necessary. Streaming platforms must reconsider their payout structures, ensuring that artists are fairly compensated for their work. A model that pays based on total listening time rather than individual streams would reward albums and longer-form musical projects rather than just short, viral hits. Transparency in how recommendation algorithms operate would also allow for more equitable exposure for independent artists rather than reinforcing major label dominance. When platforms prioritize artistry rather than passive engagement, the industry will begin to shift in a way that benefits both musicians and listeners.

None of these changes happen in isolation. When listeners make active choices about how they engage with music, they put pressure on the industry to adapt. A more sustainable music culture depends on breaking free from passive consumption, supporting artists directly, and demanding more from streaming services. Without these shifts, music risks becoming just another type of algorithmic content—designed not to be heard, but merely played.