The industry has shifted towards prioritizing access and streaming numbers over the intrinsic value of music. Platforms pay artists less, and the focus is more on quantity and accessibility rather than depth or originality. A small group of producers and songwriters dominate the industry, leading to a repetitive "sound" across many songs and albums. This reduces diversity and innovation, making much of the music feel similar and less exciting. Artists are sometimes signed more for their look or social media presence than for their musical talent or originality. This can lead to music that feels manufactured or less authentic. That's Harry Styles and others these days...