Trend Over Tune: The Decline of Timeless Music

In recent years, we have seen a seismic shift in how music is produced and consumed. With platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube shaping modern entertainment the role of music has become increasingly trend-driven, with the spotlight often on tracks that cater to fleeting viral moments. While this has undoubtedly expanded the reach of some artists and created an avenue for new forms of creativity, it has also significantly impacted the depth and longevity of our music knowledge.

A prime example of this trend is the current music in India particularly with famous music directors in Tamil cinema. Their work, although catchy and trend worthy, often feels tailor-made for the bite sized attention spans that social media promotes. These songs have the energy and hooks needed to go viral becoming instant sensations on reels or dance challenges. However, if we pause for a moment and reflect, how many of these songs truly stand the test of time? How many find themselves revisited months or years after their peak popularity?

This has also led to an unfortunate ripple effect across the industry. Established composers, who once crafted music with layered emotions and thoughtful compositions, now find themselves pressured to create similarly fleeting tracks. And while some adapt successfully many stumble, losing touch with the authenticity and depth that once defined their work. The backlash they face from fans when they fail to meet these viral expectations is harsh. We demand hits that stick but only for a moment and when they don’t, we are quick to dismiss the artist altogether.

And what has this done to our music knowledge? As listeners, we are slowly being conditioned to expect less. Gone are the days when we would dive into the details of a song, appreciating its musical layers, its poetic lyrics or its emotional journey. Instead, we are content with the surface level appeal of a track that fits neatly into a 15 second clip. Our understanding of music has become shallow, and as a result the richness of the art form is being diminished.

It’s easy to call this an evolution of the industry, but is that really what’s happening? If evolution is meant to bring progress, where is the progress in music, that’s designed to be forgotten? True evolution in music should be about experimentation, pushing boundaries, and creating songs that remain relevant long after the trends have passed. But what we are experiencing now is the opposite, music tailored for short-term success.

The shift toward trend-driven music is not just a passing phase. It’s a symptom of a larger cultural movement where speed and virality are prized over quality and longevity. In a world where everything is disposable, including art, we are left to wonder what this means for the future of music. Will we continue to sacrifice quality for quick gains? Will future generations grow up without a true appreciation for the depth and beauty that music can offer?

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider what we call "evolution" in music. Because if evolution means losing the essence of what makes music timeless then perhaps it’s not an evolution at all, it’s a regression.