Musical Tastes. Music is our lifelong companion, from the teenage years when playlists are overflowing with new hits to a more mature age, when our favourite songs become anchors of memory, awakening a deep sense of nostalgia.
However, scientists have noted a curious phenomenon: as we age, our musical tastes narrow. We listen to fewer new genres and are less likely to discover something radically different.
Research presented at the 2025 User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization conference by an international group of scientists helps us understand why this happens.
Musical Tastes and Teenagers.
The Hunters of New Sounds.
In our youth, music becomes a crucial part of self-identification. Researchers, analysing the behaviour of 40,000 Last.fm users over a period of 15 years, uncovered a consistent pattern: teenagers listen to the widest range of genres and artists.
This can be explained by a search for one’s style, a desire to stay on top of the latest trends, and to communicate with peers “on the same wavelength.”
Young people often attend festivals not for a specific band but for the atmosphere and new experiences. At this age, music charts play a key role, as they form a sense of belonging to a generation and create a shared cultural space.
The musical choices of youth are a form of social currency, a way to signal belonging and shared values. It’s a time of open-ended exploration, where the sheer volume of new music is as important as its quality.
The adolescent brain is wired for novelty, constantly seeking out new stimuli and experiences. This is reflected in their eclectic listening habits, which serve as a cultural map of their social landscape.
The music they listen to is not just a personal choice; it’s a declaration of who they are and who they want to be. They are uninhibited in their search for the next big thing, and their playlists are a testament to this boundless curiosity.
Maturing and Choosing “One’s Own” Style.
As we transition into adulthood, the picture changes. By our twenties and thirties, our tastes become more defined. We already know which genres and artists we are drawn to, and we gradually begin to narrow our listening range.
Researchers point out that this process does not mean a complete rejection of new music. On the contrary, adults continue to discover new songs, but they do so within the framework of their established genres.
Nostalgia also becomes an increasingly significant factor old hits bring us back to past events and emotions, and we are more and more likely to play them instead of experimenting.
The transition from youthful exploration to adult preference is a reflection of life’s evolving priorities.
As careers, relationships, and responsibilities take precedence, the time and energy once devoted to discovering new music diminish. Instead of casting a wide net, we gravitate toward what is familiar and comforting.
This shift is not a sign of creative stagnation but of cognitive crystallization. We have formed a stable sense of self, and our musical tastes reflect that identity.
The music we listen to becomes a form of “auditory comfort food,” a reliable source of pleasure that requires little effort to process. The nostalgia that so many adults feel for the music of their youth is a powerful force.
It’s a way of reconnecting with a past self and a reminder of a time when life felt simpler. The songs from our formative years become inextricably linked to our memories, serving as a powerful emotional trigger.
A single chord can transport us back to a high school dance, a first kiss, or a road trip with friends.
This is why we so often find ourselves returning to the music that shaped us, even as new music continues to be released.
The Uniqueness of Musical Choices in Old Age.
Particularly interesting conclusions concern older listeners. After the age of 65, the musical horizon becomes narrower than for teenagers, but it is also more individualised.
While the playlists of young people largely overlap with the choices of their friends and peers, the selections of older generations are distinguished by their originality.
This is because over time, we form a very personal set of favourite tracks that are closely linked to memories and experiences. Music ceases to be part of mass culture and transforms into a personal space that doesn’t always align with current trends. The music of our later years is a deeply personal soundtrack to a life lived.
It is less about social signaling and more about personal reflection.
The songs we choose to listen to are not for anyone else’s benefit; they are for us. The playlist of an older person is a carefully curated archive of a lifetime’s joys, sorrows, and milestones.
It is a reflection of the unique journey each person has taken, a collection of sonic mementos that hold a profound personal meaning. This is why the musical tastes of older individuals can be so distinct and unique.
They are not influenced by the fleeting trends of the day but by the enduring significance of personal history.
Music Services and Recommendations Narrow the Musical Horizon.
Scientists also raise another important question the influence of algorithms. Modern platforms like Spotify and Apple Music adapt to users’ tastes, but they do not always encourage musical discovery.
They create what are often called “filter bubbles,” where users are fed more of what they already like, reinforcing existing preferences rather than challenging them.
For young listeners, it is desirable for algorithms to mix the latest hits with forgotten compositions from past decades. This helps to broaden their musical education and prevent them from becoming trapped in a narrow listening loop.
For adults, the optimal balance is between new songs and familiar melodies. A good algorithm should introduce new artists within a user’s preferred genres while still catering to their nostalgic tendencies. And older users need individualised recommendations that take into account their deep-seated nostalgia and personal preferences.
The ideal algorithm for a senior would act as a musical curator, unearthing forgotten gems from their past and suggesting new music that resonates with the emotional depth of their favourite artists.
Ultimately, music streaming services have a responsibility.
To not only cater to our tastes but also to challenge them.
While the convenience of a personalised playlist is undeniable, there is a risk that it can stifle our curiosity and prevent us from discovering the richness and diversity of the musical world. The very technology designed to connect us with music can, ironically, isolate us within our own narrow tastes.
Taking all the above into account, it can be noted that musical tastes do indeed narrow with age, but this process should not be seen as a loss. Teenagers seek diversity and exploration, adults seek a balance between new and familiar, and the elderly turn music into a mirror of their personal history.
Thus, our playlists are not just a collection of tracks but a reflection of a life journey. The shift from a broad, socially-driven taste to a narrow, deeply personal one is a natural and beautiful part of human development.
It is the evolution of our relationship with sound, from a tool for social connection to a private sanctuary of memory and emotion.
Have a Great Day!
