How Streaming Changed the Album

Spotify arrived in 2008 and playlists began replacing the LP as the listening unit. Beyonce surprise released her self titled album in 2013 with no promotion and videos for every song, a model others copied.

Tracklists grew longer to game per stream payouts, and the 40 minute classic album became rare. Physical formats answered back: vinyl and CD box sets turned into collectors items, and deluxe reissues of landmark albums keep the album format alive as a deliberate statement..