Streaming services’ playlists make it easier for listeners to find music worth playing. But it also presents a paradox of choice: What should you listen to when you can hear nearly any song that’s ever been recorded? With more and more songs released by more and more musicians on more and more platforms — and less emphasis on traditional media to tell listeners what to like — the sprawl of streaming has upended what it means to be a pop star.
Source: Why hit songs suddenly matter more than the stars that sing them