To all music lovers, this one is for you!
Get ready as we explore the top music trends that are changing the music industry!
From the mind-blowing world of AI-generated tracks to blockchain technology making music ownership fair and simple, there’s so much to be excited about.
TikTok is still the ultimate spot for discovering fresh hits, and live-streaming concerts bring the magic of live performances right to your room.
So, hit play and join us as we discover the top 9 music trends you won’t want to miss this year!
1. AI-Generated Music
AI to the rescue again!
Artificial intelligence is helping artists and producers compose songs, craft melodies, and explore new sounds in ways that were once unthinkable.
Musicians are using AI in almost everything from creating new and original tracks to mixing and mastering. This is making the process way easier for musicians to streamline their process and create new ideas!
However, this trend is still imperfect, as AI-generated music can be spotted by sudden glitches, a lack of passion in the singer’s voice, and an overall flat, mechanical feel.
While some view AI as a helpful tool, others question its impact on authenticity and emotional depth in music.
What do you think? Are you with or against AI?
2. Genre Blending
Blending different genres together is the trend this year!
Artists enjoy mixing various styles to produce innovative and distinct sounds. Musicians are blending pop, hip-hop, country, electronic, and other genres, causing traditional genre boundaries to become less important.
This blending allows artists to reach broader audiences and push their creative boundaries, meeting the taste of modern listeners.
A great example is Bad Bunny, as he blended Latin rap with pop and reggaeton in “Ojitos Lindos." In Doja Cat’s song “Kiss Me More," we can see transitions between pop, rap, and disco.
Platforms such as TikTok and streaming services have continued to encourage this trend, allowing blended genre songs to gain more attraction.
3. Singers Streaming Live Concerts
Live streaming concerts have become a major trend in the music industry. It allows fans to enjoy live performances from anywhere in the world.
With improved technology, artists can now deliver high-quality streams to audiences, breaking down the distance.
This trend became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since evolved, combining in-person and virtual events.
4. Blockchain and Music Ownership
Because of the Music Modernization Act, a huge transformation is seen in how music rights and royalty management are handled.
Blockchain technology is transforming the way music ownership works by giving artists more power over their creative output—fair enough!
Using blockchain technology, artists have the ability to generate digital tokens (NFTs) or smart contracts that oversee ownership, royalties, and distribution of their music.
Fans can also benefit by buying exclusive digital assets related to their preferred songs or albums.
5. The Return of Vinyl and CDs
All thanks to Gen Z!
We are seeing a revival of physical music formats like vinyl records and CDs—well, it turns out that the Gen Z community embraces physical music records, as they consider it a way to celebrate their favourite artists.
This generation’s passion for style has made CDs and vinyl records the ultimate collectibles! Vinyl, especially, has become a hot favourite, celebrated for its rich sound and nostalgic vibe.
Hop on this trend and start collecting! You can’t listen to vinyl records without a quality turntable, check out our great selection of turntables.
6. Personalized Music Playlists
Algorithmic recommendations are becoming crazy accurate. Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are creating playlists just for us—it feels like they know me more than I know myself!
With advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence, streaming platforms manage to provide us with songs depending on our moods, tastes, activities, and more!
7. Sustainability in the Music Industry
As artists and organizations are shedding light on eco-friendly practices, sustainability is becoming more prominent in the music industry.
Many musicians now power their concert tours with renewable energy and implement zero-waste measures to make a positive impact on the environment.
For instance, in the Coldplay tour "Music of the Spheres," they used solar energy, kinetic dance floors, and bicycles that fans could ride to generate power for the show. As a result, they were able to reduce carbon emissions by 59%.
Also, Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever" world tour was powered by renewable energy and featured a zero-waste policy, encouraging fans to bring reusable water bottles.
Audiences are also becoming environmentally conscious, supporting performers who share their values by purchasing green products and attending sustainable events.
8. Home Studios
Can we start producing professional music from home?
Home studios are booming in 2024, which is transforming the way artists create and produce music.
Because of advances in technology and affordable recording equipment, musicians of all levels are setting up professional-quality studios right in their own homes. This trend allows for greater creativity and experimentation, enabling artists to record, mix, and master their tracks without the pressure of traditional studio time.
As a result, home studios are not just a trend but a game-changer in the music industry, empowering a new independent way for creators to share their unique music with us!
Here is a list of essential equipment to set up a home studio:
1. First thing first—a computer! A computer is the first must-have to make a professional home studio. Look for at least 1TB of storage, an i5 processor, and 8GB of RAM to get started.
2. An audio interface is important to connect your studio mics, guitars, and monitors.
3. A studio condenser microphone is a must for recording vocals! The Rode NT1GEN5 is a fantastic choice for low noise and excellent sound quality.
4. When it comes to mixing, a good pair of quality headphones is essential.
5. Studio Monitors and Acoustic Treatment
6. Additional accessories can really boost your production quality; for instance, a MIDI keyboard is a fantastic tool for enhancing creativity.
9. TikTok & Musical Discovery
Whenever we want to discover trending music, we run to TikTok!
TikTok has become a revolutionary part of music discovery, turning everyday users into influential tastemakers.
With its addictive short videos, the app allows songs to go viral almost overnight, introducing users to new songs and trends from new artists in a fun and engaging way.
TikTok trends are often catchy song snippets and dance challenges, bringing previously unknown songs to the top of the charts. This has created a unique feedback loop where artists can see immediate reactions from fans, leading to a dynamic interaction between creators and listeners—TikTok has reshaped how music is promoted and discovered!
To conclude, the music industry is evolving day by day with game-changing trends that are redefining how we listen, create, and discover music. From AI and blockchain to the power of advanced algorithms and live streaming, these trends are redefining the future of sound. Experience these innovations firsthand and stay ahead of the beat!