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Scientists report pop music is now louder and all sounds similar

According to a new article from Scientific Reports, music has become louder and less varied throughout the years. Speaking with Reuters, researcher Joan Serrà said they “found evidence of a progressive homogenization of the musical discourse.” She also said they “obtained numerical indicators that the diversity of transitions between note combinations—roughly speaking chords plus melodies—has consistently diminished in the last 50 years.”

The research analyzed 464,411 that came out between 1955 and 2010. The research goes on to show that chord progressions have become simpler and timbral variety peaked during the 1960s and has been on the decline ever since. It also shows that songs have become progressively louder throughout the years, giving new evidence of what is continually referred to as the “loudness war.” (Here's a wikipedia link for a quick rundown of the basics of what the loudness war is.)

What do you think of the research? Has modern music become simpler and louder? Let us know what you think in the comments below!