Revisiting the Timeless Appeal of Boards of Canada's 'Music Has the Right to Children': A Review in the 2023 Post-Pandemic Context

In recent years, the auditory landscape of our daily lives has undergone a significant transformation. The rise of noise music, ambient drones, and natural soundscapes has shifted from niche subcultures to mainstream streaming platforms, reflecting a broader evolution in our collective listening habits.

The Emergence of Noise in Everyday Life

Traditionally, music has been defined by melody, harmony, and rhythm. However, genres like noise music challenge these conventions, embracing dissonance, atonality, and unconventional structures. Once relegated to the fringes, these sounds are now permeating everyday environments—from coffee shops to personal playlists—offering listeners a new way to engage with sound.

Streaming Platforms and the Surge of Ambient Sounds

The proliferation of streaming services has democratized access to a vast array of auditory experiences. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have seen a notable increase in playlists featuring white noise, rain sounds, and meditation tones. This trend is not merely anecdotal; the global music streaming industry is projected to reach $22.35 billion this year, up from $19.64 billion last year. This growth underscores a shift in consumer preferences toward ambient and noise-based content.

The allure of these soundscapes lies in their versatility. They serve as tools for relaxation, concentration, and even sleep enhancement. Emerging research suggests that different types of color noise, particularly pink noise, may have potential benefits for enhancing sleep, memory, and concentration.

The traditional structures of pop music, which have dominated the past century, are no longer the sole focus of listeners. The rise of noise and ambient genres indicates a desire for more diverse auditory experiences. This evolution is evident in the increasing number of artists exploring these genres and gaining mainstream recognition. The fact that streaming lowered barriers to entry is old news. But the impact on artists’ livelihoods, and the global diversity of that impact, is becoming more clear

The Future of Noise in Mainstream Music

Beyond the cash-driven surge of rain sounds and repetitive ambient loops that now flood streaming platforms, there exists a dedicated scene of artists who use RAW noise as a form of expression....in some way....Artists like The Vape Noise, Emiliano Bruguera, Ian William Craig, Bruce Brus, B-Lab Noise Generator, and Michael Chambers craft their work meticulously, creating soundscapes that resonate with listeners. These creators blend elements like Solfeggio frequencies, binaural beats, nature sounds, and industrial machine sounds, carefully balancing white and pink noise to evoke moods and atmospheres that can be as challenging as they are meditative. Their work serves as a reminder that, while mainstream noise can serve a passive function, there is also a undercurrent of artists pushing the boundaries of sound to provide listeners with new, intricate, and evocative experiences.

As noise and ambient sounds continue to infiltrate mainstream platforms, the line between experimental and popular music blurs. This integration suggests a future where diverse soundscapes coexist, enriching the auditory experiences available to listeners. The rise of noise artists that seem to be not underground anymore and a suppressed noise mainstream scene coming upfront indicate a significant shift in the music industry.

In conclusion, the growing presence of noise and ambient sounds in our daily lives reflects a broader cultural shift. As streaming platforms continue to evolve, they offer a diverse array of auditory experiences that cater to the changing preferences of listeners worldwide.