Music lovers are suffering from 'tunes on a loop' - listening to the same tracks and albums over and over again.
A poll of 2,000 people who describe themselves as serious music fans found 70 per cent listen to the same tracks and artists on repeat.
As a result, they tune in to their favourite song 343 times a year on average – and only have six artists in their rotation at any one time.
But more than a quarter (27 per cent) claim they’re not keen on broadening their harmonic horizons and are content with being stuck in their loop.
Almost two thirds (64 per cent) listen to the same tracks because they ‘like what they like’, while others find it comforting (50 per cent) and nostalgic (50 per cent) - whereas 36 per cent are simply creatures of habit.
The research was commissioned by National Rail which has developed a scientifically engineered music track to help people to reset their listening habits and get into the right mindset to discover new music this festival season.
Produced by DJ Adriano Desire, in collaboration with music psychologist Dr Ruth Herbert, the three-minute track is designed to reset listeners’ habits, and is inspired by the sounds and rhythms of the British railway.
Explaining the science behind the sounds, music psychologist Dr Ruth Herbert, said: “This research proves that modern consumers of music crave deeper moments of discovery, but choice paralysis stops us discovering new sounds.
“The ‘Track Reset' is grounded in audiological science, utilising the natural white-noise frequencies to ease brain tension.
“By cleansing the listener’s musical palate over a three-minute span, we are quite literally priming the brain to welcome and enjoy new audio patterns for when they arrive at their festival or gig - on your train journey there is the perfect time to do this.”
The study also found 41 per cent haven’t listened to an album in full, from start to finish, in the past year – and one in 10 (eight per cent) claimed they never have.
While many are happy with what they currently listen to, 65 per cent want to listen to new music, but 16 per cent said a lack of time was the biggest barrier to taking in new tunes.
Festivals continue to play a vital role in helping fans expand their musical horizons, with 17 per cent saying they are more likely to discover new music when attending one.
The OnePoll.com study also found 43 per cent of festival goers will be making their way to the event via train.
During the journey, 32 per cent will use the time to listen to artists they will see at the festival, while 19 per cent will start to plan who they want to see - and 36 per cent are more likely to listen to new records when on the train than other modes of transport.
As part of the launch, National Rail also worked with DJ Pete Tong MBE, who said: “The way we interact with music has fundamentally shifted, and it’s easy to let an algorithm do all the thinking for you, or rely on that one playlist of favourite songs, keeping you stuck replaying the same safe tracks.
“Train journeys offer a beautiful, rare window of time to completely switch off, reset your mind, and seek out something new.
“Whether you’re discovering a brilliant opening act on the way to a stadium gig or sharing a playlist with friends on the carriage home, the journey is where the experience really begins.”
A spokesperson for National Rail said: “A great summer music experience shouldn't just start when you enter the venue, it begins the moment you start your journey.
“Train travel gives people valuable time back, creating the perfect opportunity to switch off, reset, and discover something new.
“Whether you’re planning your setlist for the weekend or discovering a new artist along the way, the train journey is where the experience really begins.”
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