How to Stand Out in the Music Industry: Slow and Low Wins Big

How Do You Stand Out In An Avalanche?

So, here’s the situation: more songs drop on Spotify in one day than were released in all of 1989. That’s not me being hyperbolic; it’s straight from Anthony Fantano himself, the internet’s busiest music nerd (blessed be). He did a video recently in response to this article by NME:

It’s basically a tsunami of new tracks. If you want hard numbers: 120,000 new songs a day, 43 million a year, and 75 million music creators are all chasing the same slice of your attention span.

It’s enough to make you think about picking up competitive Lego-building instead. But before you ditch the microphone, let’s talk strategy.

Why Slow and Low Is the Secret Sauce

It might sound like a barbecue tip, but “slow and low” is my not-so-subtle way of saying: stop freaking out. Relax. Breathe. Make something worth listening to. That’s your edge in a world crammed with “content.”

If you’re still convinced you need to chase TikTok dances or viral Reels, read about my own experiences on that Going Viral Doesn’t Guarantee Success: What Musicians Need to Know and see how that might not be the golden ticket you think it is.

Make the Music Matter First

If your track sounds like an algorithm mashed your favourite pop hooks with the musical stylings of a dial-up modem, we’re going to have a problem. So:

• Consume Music: Do it like your life depends on it. Read liner notes, watch documentaries, check out new genres you’ve never heard of.
• Talk About Music: With real humans. Face-to-face if possible.
• Create in Isolation: Once you’ve soaked up enough inspiration, shut everything off and let the ideas flow.

Back in my studio days (yes, I’m going to pull the “in my day” card), we had to rehearse until our fingers bled and our brains turned to mush. Why? Because studio time was expensive, and we couldn’t rely on 147 editing takes. We had one or two shots. It forced us to be better.

If you’re curious about keeping your fans’ attention once you’ve got a killer track, check out Why Repetition Is Your Best Friend. Turns out, repeating your best hooks can be a secret weapon.

Respect the Mix (Seriously)

Recording is only half the battle. The mix is where your track transitions from “We did a thing in a room” to “Whoa, let’s put this on a playlist right now.” Yet, somehow, people treat mixing like a group project. You don’t need your bassist’s boyfriend’s random roommate giving notes on the snare EQ. Let the mixer do their job.

AI Mastering: Shortcut or Sellout?

Yes, artificial intelligence is the new boogeyman of the music world (I even wrote about it in AI: The New Boogeyman of the Music World). Is it cool that an AI can master your track in minutes? Sure. Is it also kind of soulless? Also sure. Mastering gives your final mix a professional polish, and letting a bot do it all might leave you feeling hollow. That said, it’s your call. Just know what you’re trading.

The Spectrum: IT vs. YOU

I like to imagine this neat little line:

IT (the music) ——————————————————- YOU (the artist)

Some songs just blow our minds on pure sound alone. Others connect because the artist has a story or personality that clicks with listeners. The best ones? They occupy both ends at once, bridging “this is incredible” with “this person is giving me life right now.”

Matthew Good in my mind is a perfect example: by his own admission, not the nicest dude. But the music? It hits like a tonne of bricks, and sometimes that’s all that matters. Listeners aren’t always looking for their next best friend; they’re looking for something to feel.

Bringing It All Together

In a nutshell, if you want to stand out in an ocean of 120,000 daily releases, remember:

1. Make the music matter: No shortcuts.
2. Respect the mix: Democracy is cool, but let the pros handle it.
3. Consider the AI question: Is convenience worth losing the human touch?
4. Balance “IT” and “YOU”: A personal connection can be just as powerful as a sick riff.

Don’t chase that fleeting viral moment if it means sacrificing the soul of your art. Focus on what makes you passionate, then let others in on that secret.

Want More Insights?

If you’re itching to learn more about building your music career, check out How to Get Noticed as an Indie Artist in 2025 for a deeper dive into promotion strategies. And if you want to see the data from the horse’s mouth, Spotify’s Loud & Clear site offers some eye-opening stats on how artists are paid and how many creators are out there vying for attention (just make sure to bring a pinch of salt, okay?).

At the end of the day, the best way to cut through the noise is to make something genuine—something you believe in. The rest might just take care of itself.