Ok, but radio could still be a decent way to do that even if it lost its throne of best. "Big radio" just chose not to. For example in SoCal we have KCRW: ht

Ok, but radio could still be a decent way to do that even if it lost its throne of best. "Big radio" just chose not to. For example in SoCal we have KCRW: https://www.kcrw.com/best-of-2023/dj-lists-songs-albums https://www.kcrw.com/best-of-2023/dj-lists-songs-albums I still discover stuff there. Available online as well. Re: copyright cartel When you have melody in a song, and it resembles something from the past (as it will almost certainly do a century after the invention of pop music), you'll be charged upfront or later sued. Combine that with never-ending copyright (see recent Steamboat Willie articles). Here is the first case I remember: https://performingsongwriter.com/george-harrison-my-sweet-lord/ https://performingsongwriter.com/george-harrison-my-sweet-lo... The process is well developed today. It must be a lot safer to just not have a discernible melody at all.