An adult music listener has completed an entire shortlisted album without skipping and is now asking whether the achievement can be added to his professional qualifications.
Fan Ben Mercer began the project after reading that the album was designed to be heard as a whole. He initially assumed this meant the singles plus a respectful glance at the remaining titles.
The full experience proved demanding. Track four opened quietly, track seven refused to become the song he expected, and a final piece continued after he had mentally returned to his email.
Nevertheless, Ben persisted, allowing the running order to make decisions previously reserved for an algorithm.
He says the experiment has transformed his relationship with music. He now understands that some songs are there to become favourites later, while others are there because the artist had access to a synthesiser and no immediate deadline.
A second listen is under consideration once he has recovered from the first’s emotional and administrative implications.
His streaming service has congratulated him by recommending a thirty-second preview of an unrelated track.
Ben plans to frame the receipt for the vinyl edition, which provides a more visible form of commitment than actually playing it.
