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Features of Music Creation and Consumption in the Era of Streaming Platforms

https://doi.org/10.32603/2412-8562-2025-11-4-76-87

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses the features of modern methods of music creation and distribution, as well as their influence on the formation of musical tastes and preferences among young audiences. Particular attention is paid to streaming services based on the assumption that their prevalence is fundamentally changing the process of music creation, distribution and consumption.

 Methodology and sources. The sources used are the works of modern foreign and domestic experts in the field of sociology of music, cultural studies and mass media. The opinions of experts involved in the distribution of musical works and music journalists are also analyzed. The empirical part of the article was a survey of Russian youth aged 17 to 21. The choice of this audience is due to two reasons: a special attachment to music is usually recorded in young people due to the peculiarities of their mental and social development; the growth of the audience of streaming services occurs mainly due to the young audience. The theory of social representations of S. Moscovici is used in the sense that the assessment of respondents' ideas about music can be considered as a characteristic of the Generation Z.

 Results and discussion. Experts note that in the era of streaming platforms, significant changes occur not only in the technologies of distributing musical works, but also in recording music and its perception by listeners. Musical preferences are formed by artificial intelligence, and this, on the one hand, expands the listener's horizons, on the other hand, limits one in learning something radically new. The connection between the listener and the personality of the performer is lost, the phenomenon of fake artists arises, the attitude towards music becomes more consumerist, musical works are adapted to the specifics of streaming platforms. These and other trends are considered in the mirror of the perception of young listeners.

 Conclusion. The research allowed us to draw the following conclusions: streaming platforms set the basis for managing musical tastes, but do not yet fully shape them; popular music has recently become less interesting; the popularization of modern musical works is associated less with the sophistication of their sound or musical component, and more with trends, the showcase of which are social networks offering short vertical videos (shorts).

About the Author

E. A. Pashkovsky
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University
Russian Federation

Evgeny A. Pashkovsky – Can. Sci. (Politics, 2013), Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology and Political Science

5F Professor Popov str., St Petersburg 197022.

The author of more than 40 scientific publications.

Area of expertise: sociology of music, sociology of everyday life, sociology of emotions, social psychology, interpersonal communication. 



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Review

For citations:


Pashkovsky E.A. Features of Music Creation and Consumption in the Era of Streaming Platforms. Discourse. 2025;11(4):76-87. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32603/2412-8562-2025-11-4-76-87

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ISSN 2412-8562 (Print)
ISSN 2658-7777 (Online)