I've liked significant portions of most eras, but it's true that today's music is different and seems more limited. The average song is being driven down toward

I've liked significant portions of most eras, but it's true that today's music is different and seems more limited. The average song is being driven down toward 2 minutes by the realities of streaming, songs use a lot more sampling (because musicians cost more), there is much less modulation than there once was, etc. Objectively, it seems like less sophisticated music, in part because there isn't the same kind of money there once was in the system to pay for studio musicians, producers, etc. Is it possible to create great songs despite that? Yes, but it involves a lot of "skating uphill". You can see that older music is still getting a LOT of plays -- I think too many to make sense, unless we accept that the current industry is not healthy.