NEWS
A recent poll has found that 41 per cent of UK adults have not played an entire album during the past 12 months.
The findings came from a study commissioned for National Rail’s Track Reset campaign, an initiative created to inspire people to explore music beyond their usual preferences. The survey questioned 2,000 adults across the UK and revealed a concerning decline in the popularity of complete albums as streaming continues to shape listening habits.
Among the participants, 41 per cent said they had not played an album from start to finish over the previous year, while eight per cent revealed they had never listened to one in its entirety. Many respondents also repeatedly returned to familiar music, playing their favourite song an average of 343 times annually. The main reasons included nostalgia and comfort, both cited by 50 per cent, while 65 per cent simply explained, “I like what I like”.
To help audiences discover unfamiliar music, National Rail teamed up with DJ Adriano Desire and music psychologist Dr Ruth Herbert to produce Track Reset. The three minute recording was created to “clear the palette” and help people become more open to exploring different sounds. Hear the piece below.
National Album Day began in 2018 as a celebration of “the album as an art form”, with musicians selected to serve as Album Champions every year. The 2026 edition is scheduled for October 17, and PinkPantheress was revealed as one of this year’s Album Champions in May.
“Music is experienced in ways that are unique to every listener,” the artist shared in a statement. “I love revisiting albums that I discovered at different times in my life, while always keeping an ear out for new sounds. This year, I encourage everyone to do the same for National Album Day.”
Sienna Spiro has revealed that she struggled with deep insecurities about her body while growing up and often wore baggy clothing to cover herself when she began sharing her music.
The Die on this Hill singer says her father introduced her to legendary stars such as Barbra Streisand and Ava Gardner, whose glamorous style inspired her to picture a more confident side of herself.
She said trying out her now recognizable hairstyle became a major moment for her, explaining to Variety: “The first time I experimented with the hair, I felt like a more polished and powerful version of myself.” Her stage look helps her feel confident, particularly when she is tired or experiencing period pain. “There are days when changing my hair from how I normally wear it, or putting on my boots, helps me enter a different mindset and feel more self assured.”
The 20 year old artist also shared that she has experienced vocal nodules since she was young, describing them as both a positive and a negative because they create her signature raspy sound while also placing considerable pressure on her voice.
She remembered: “I did not receive an official diagnosis until two years ago, but my voice has always been incredibly raspy. I believe I may have had them for most of my life, or at least since I was very young.”
She admitted: “They can be both a gift and a struggle. I really like the character they bring to my voice, and sometimes they prevent me from reaching certain sounds, which can actually create something interesting. However, I was almost unable to speak for an entire year. The year before last, I barely talked at all. It was extremely difficult and made me feel very alone.”
Away from the stage, Sienna looks completely different without her dramatic hairstyle and high heels. She explained that adopting her performance persona often helps create some space between herself and the feelings that inspired her songs.
She said: “I do not really censor myself, which can be helpful but can also create problems. Still, honesty is the only way I know how to write, and being myself is the only way I can show up.”
“I am simply a 20 year old woman, and there are mornings when I wake up on my period and still have to get onstage and perform. Changing my everyday hairstyle or slipping into my boots allows me to become someone slightly different, giving me more confidence and some emotional distance from how I felt when those songs were written.”
She added: “High heels are not something I would ever choose to wear in my normal life.”
