How to have a NEW experience with OLD music
100 Things #001 - Try Uninterrupted Listen
It goes without saying that there are no incorrect ways to listen to music.
Art is art, and everyone’s individual approach for how to best appreciate it is valid in its own way.
That being said, I believe there to be a strong argument to be made for taking the time out of one’s day to indulge, every so often, in some uninterrupted listening time.
In this day and age, it’s almost hard to imagine taking a 45-minute break from the day’s activities to sit down with an album and soak it in.
No phones, no distractions, nothing.
It’s almost daunting to think about.
But there have been moments for me when this approach to listening to music has almost felt like the only way to actually appreciate the music I was listening to at the time.
One second, you’re taking in the lyrics, the next, the bass, the next, your latte is ready and the lady at the table beside yours has asked you for a pen… Before you know it, a good 30-seconds-worth of music has slipped you by without your noticing.
Distractions like these are not exactly conducive to a truly invested listening experience.
But most of the time, that’s okay, right?
I remember the night of Kendrick Lamar’s most recent album release. Not much was known about the music that was about to come out, other than the fact that Kendrick hadn’t put out a full-length project in quite some time—at least five years—so the anticipation was apparent.
In typical modern music-industry fashion, the album was set to release at midnight, and I had a 5 AM barista shift the morning after.
A travesty, truly.
I made the executive decision and decided to wait up.
I don’t know if it was just the minor sleep deprivation, or if it was the more experimental nature of the new album, but the experience I had listening to that album for the first time is one that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to replicate or forget.
That being said, I have had similar experiences with other albums in the past, and all those experiences have shared one key similarity.
I was listening uninterrupted.
“Do Not Disturb” is a wildly powerful feature that I don’t think people take advantage of enough.
It goes without saying that not everyone has the privilege of being able to shut off the outside world for thirty to sixty minutes at a time, but for those who do, enjoy it enough for the rest of us.
Radiohead’s In Rainbows, FKA twigs’ MAGDALENE, Frank Ocean’s Blonde…
Classic albums that have defined genres and carved out places within my memory to reside.
But the way they sound when you can truly isolate them? When you’re able, just for a moment, to give them your full, undivided attention?
It’s hard to put into words.
When you consider the hundreds of hours that go into making something at that scale, and the thousands of hours that it takes to master the craft, I almost feel obliged to give them just a little more than a quick listen while I drive to work.
It’s not difficult to see why fanatics geek out over the fidelity of their gear.
Being able to be just a fraction more immersed in the music is something I can totally emphathize with the idea of shilling out a few more dollars for.
My first time using noise-cancelling headphones, my first time hearing something with that new “spatial audio” feature… I can see why people chase that special feeling of frisson you really can’t get anywhere else besides good music.
Besides all of the music junkie speak, there are plenty of other reasons to give some uninterrupted listening a try.
Some studies suggest that focused listening can contribute to better memory formation. The combination of music and undivided attention may enhance memory recall and retention. Neat.
Engaging in uninterrupted music listening can foster a mind-body connection. Paying attention to how music affects one's mood and physical sensations can contribute to a holistic sense of well-being. Also neat.
Uninterrupted music can serve as a form of stress relief. By creating a dedicated time to listen without distractions, individuals can enter a more relaxed state and escape the pressures of daily life.
Plus, it’s a great way of finding something new to appreciate about music that you haven’t listened to in a while. Even an album you’ve heard 100+ times might have some subtle details that you’ve never noticed before.
I’ll leave you here with a few journaling prompts for those who want to do a bit of guided thinking around this topic:
Consider the last time you discovered something new about a piece of music you thought you knew well. What was it, and how did it change your perception of the music?
Considering other art forms as well, when was the last time you were able to sit down with any piece of art and engage with it without any form of distraction?
How does engaging with art without distraction change your experience of the art?
With all that off my chest, I’d love to hear if any of you decide to try this out, or if you’re already a fan of uninterrupted listening.
I’ll be waiting for some quality album recommendations from y’all in the comments below!
For now, have a good week, and I’ll see you at 100.
I can’t say I’ve ever sat down and listened to an album start to finish. I’m definitely more of a playlist or specific song type of person. This post led me to think about why that is. I think it has to do with a specific memories associated with particular songs.
Check out the album “Too Much to ask” by Cheekface, it’s our car listening album of the week :)