What Today’s Listeners Expect Modern audiences have become accustomed to high-definition sound. With the rise of streaming services that promise perfect sound, our palate has been refined to expect tracks that sound immaculate. This pressure is palpable. Musicians often use AI software just to keep up with current market expectations. I worry that chasing the perfect sound might be self-defeating. In chasing the spotless, are we unintentionally stifling creativity? The raw edges and imperfections of music give it a heartbeat; something clean and sterile lacks.