The Case of the Mysteriously Shrinking Album
In a world where Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have dropped behemoth projects with sprawling tracklists, a diametrically opposed trend is emerging: shorter albums. Artists like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish are opting for concise statements that can be digested during a lunch hour.
The New Normal
Dua Lipa’s latest album, Radical Optimism, clocks in at just 11 songs. Other recent releases follow suit: Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts (12 songs), Maggie Rogers’ Don’t Forget Me (10), and even veteran Sheryl Crow’s Evolution (10). Billie Eilish’s upcoming album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, will be limited to 10 new tracks.
The CD Era and Streaming
In the CD era, artists could jam as many songs as they wanted onto an album, leading to self-indulgence. However, the ongoing revival of vinyl LPs, which generally hold fewer songs per side, has influenced this shift toward brevity. Last year, 43 million LPs were sold, up 14 percent from the previous year.
The Bottom Line
While longer albums have their place, the allure of a tight, focused statement is undeniable. So next time you’re craving music during your lunch break, consider spinning one of these shorter gems.