The Cultural Review

Music Consumption

2 articles

An abstract digital art image showing a river of music data flowing into an ear, symbolizing the shift in music consumption from traditional gatekeepers to algorithms and streaming platforms.
Music

The New Gatekeepers: Analyzing Shifting Music Consumption Trends

More than 100,000 new songs are uploaded to streaming platforms every day. This data point reveals the massive shift in music consumption, where fans and algorithms are the new gatekeepers.

Andre Silva·April 4, 2026
A diverse crowd enjoying music, with visual elements blending vintage record players and modern streaming interfaces, symbolizing the global appeal and mainstreaming of niche music across generations.
Music

Why Niche Music Is Going Mainstream: The Factors Driving Its Global Appeal

Music that is more than five years old now makes up close to 50% of total streams on major platforms, signaling a profound shift in how we discover and connect with music. This isn't just nostalgia; it's a new era where mainstream and underground blur.

Andre Silva·April 2, 2026