Presumably the same mechanism would be at work for other forms of obviously fictionalized narrative communication, like plays or novels. I think another way of

Presumably the same mechanism would be at work for other forms of obviously fictionalized narrative communication, like plays or novels. I think another way of stating the OP could be "music induces suspension of disbelief". I'm not sure this model explains why people like or even prefer music with no/incomprehensible vocals.