Scrolling through my For You page, hundreds of posts and videos flood my vision: Ariana Grande’s new album dropping this Friday. Taylor Swift releasing her 11th album. Beyoncé back in the studio. Billie Eilish teasing new tracks. The excitement should feel electric and exhilarating like it used to before the troublesome pandemic, but the rush of anticipation that once skated up my arms is replaced by a feeling of boredom.

With the oversaturated music industry and countless artists trying to be the next big hit, it feels like American pop music is on the brink of a burnout — a fermata, if you will.

Specifically, social media has drastically changed the American music industry, evolving how music is discovered, marketed and consumed, often leading to shorter lifespans for albums.

For instance, as an avid Taylor Swift fan, it would be an understatement to say that I was disappointed with her newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” I knew to expect slower, more melancholy songs based on the teasers, but even taking that into account, the music felt overly repetitive, and my anticipation far outweighed the final product. 

While the more energetic songs like “Florida!” and “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” were enjoyable, most of the slower tracks — which made up the majority of the album — faded into the deep recesses of my consciousness. 

Despite her reputation as a talented songwriter, the album quickly slipped from my mind within weeks, leaving me puzzled as to why Swift’s latest songs felt so lackluster and empty — failing to evoke the same magical feeling as her previous releases. 

The issue isn’t just with Swift’s album, however. It reflects a larger trend in the music industry, where songs are rapidly produced to become intentionally viral but often lack the depth, effort and creativity that initially garnered the artist their fanbase. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media rapidly evolved into a machine that encouraged a faster-paced media-consuming culture, which is a big part of why so many songs feel shallow today. With the help of TikTok, anyone can be a singer or musician, contributing to the oversaturation of new music, where short, catchy music clips tend to go viral quickly. 

 It often feels capitalistic — fast production, the constant need to release new and repetitive content based on algorithms to keep their audience engaged. Part of this problem stems from the overwhelming amount of pressure on artists to remain relevant on social media. More releases means more publicity, but this mindset can lead to short-term engagement in the endless cycle of new album releases. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult for listeners like me to savor new releases.

However, it’s also important to acknowledge the audience plays a significant role in fueling this culture. Listeners inevitably consume music at a faster rate than artists can release it. Fans on social media often place pressure on their favorite artists to create new content as soon as an anticipated release drops, leaving comments that push them to prioritize quantity over quality to maintain their fame. 

I find music more enjoyable when I can connect with it and feel inspired, not when it’s characterized by how quickly it’s created, released and consumed. It would be refreshing to return to viewing albums as polished works of art rather than just a collection of songs to stream and scroll through. 

Additionally, encouraging our favorite artists to prioritize quality over quantity may result in music that actually leaves a lasting impression. We should give artists the time and space to create thoughtful works that we can appreciate beyond fleeting viral moments. 

I hope to see social media growing into a space where artists can promote themselves without feeling pressured to sacrifice the integrity of their work. Sometimes, especially in today’s fast-paced social media culture, it’s easy to forget that it’s OK to slow down and savor the music.