Young People and Music: An Uncompromising Generation
© Qobuz 2025
Music has never been as accessible as it is today, yet expectations have never been higher. Born into the digital age, Generation Z has made music an organic part of their daily lives, far beyond its entertainment function. The figures speak for themselves: 98% of 15-24 year-olds listen to music on a daily basis, 94% of them via streaming platforms(1).
Music, a science of well-being
Neurologist Daniel Levitin has demonstrated that music simultaneously activates up to seven different areas of our brain(2). So it's no coincidence that it's consistently ranked among the ten most gratifying experiences in our lives, ahead of money, food and even art.
Its benefits are many and scientifically proven:
It acts as a powerful emotional regulator, reducing stress and anxiety.
It boosts daily concentration and productivity.
It is a precious ally in managing pain and strengthening our resilience.
It catalyzes our creativity and stimulates our imagination.
It builds bridges between people, strengthening our social bonds.
A generation with assertive demands
The quest for sound excellence
The days of compressed MP3 are over. This format, designed in the ‘90s to drastically reduce the size of audio files, produces a sound that is poorer than the original recording. Equipped with increasingly high-quality audio equipment, the new generation is becoming more demanding when it comes to sound quality. More aware than their elders of the link between sound quality and hearing health—66% of 18-34 year-olds compared to 54% all ages(3) —they are also looking for an experience that respects the original artistic intent.
Music exploration reinvented
For these discerning listeners, music is a perpetual discovery. Recommendation algorithms, while useful, are no longer enough. They want to understand the story behind each track, explore little-known genres, and rediscover the classics of their elders. Musical curiosity is part of the experience.
Ethics at the heart of choices
Increasingly aware of the ethical issues involved in their music consumption, young people are paying increasing attention to artists' remuneration. Subscription price remains a major issue for this generation, but it is no longer the only criterion: transparency and fairness of the business model also guide their choices.
The future of music listening
This new generation of listeners is shaping a richer, more demanding musical experience. They aspire to an ecosystem where artists’ work is respected, where musical discovery opens the door to rich and varied listening experiences, and where the relationship between listeners and creators is built on ethical and transparent foundations.
These expectations go beyond the simple consumption of music. They reflect a vision in which listening to music becomes once again what it has always been: an experience that is both personal and shared, technical and emotional, instantaneous and lasting. An experience that restores music to its rightful place as a living art form.
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Sources:
2 Yes, Listening to Music Is Therapy, by Daniel J. Levitin
