Statistics on Deezer’s most streamed albums in 2023 so far were published yesterday to support National Album Day in the UK which was on the 14th October this year. The data shows a generational divide between those who consume albums, and those who cherry-pick their songs and stick to playlists – is narrowing in 2023. Based on this year’s listening habits (up to 14/09/2023), the highlights are:
- Beyonce’s Renaissance holds the record as the year’s most streamed album globally, while the artist with the most album streams on the day of launch is Travis Scott with Utopia.
- In the US, it’s Karol G’s Manana Sera Bonito, followed by SZA’s SOS, with Travis Scott coming in third place.
- Nearly 70% of 18-24 year-olds have never streamed a full album, start to finish, compared to those aged over 50, the number drops to about 60% in the US – showing the gap between the two generations is not that wide in 2023!
The most-streamed album
As of October 2023, Beyoncé’s highly anticipated seventh studio album, “RENAISSANCE” holds the record for the year’s most-streamed album by a global artist on Deezer, confirming the enthusiasm of her fan base. This album was streamed the most by users between 18 and 35 years.
The Top Ten most streamed albums on the day of release
The American rapper Travis Scott secures the top spot with the eagerly awaited “UTOPIA”, over five years following the release of his “ASTROWORLD”. More than 50% who streamed the album are between 18 and 25 years old.
Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now (Taylor’s version)” is a close second on the list. Established artists such as Lana Del Rey, Olivia Rodrigo, and Miley Cyrus secure the seventh, eighth, and ninth positions, respectively.
- Travis Scott – Utopia
- Taylor Swift – Speak Now (Taylor’s version)
- Depeche Mode – Memento Mori
- Ed Sheeran – “-”
- Metallica – 72 seasons
- U2 – Songs of Surrender
- Lana Del Rey – Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
- Olivia Rodrigo – GUTS
- Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation
- Måneskin – RUSH!
Who is listening to albums
When looking at how albums are consumed overall on Deezer, a clear pattern emerges. Globally, users aged 50 and above emerge as the primary audience for albums on Deezer, with nearly 45% of this age group starting on an album page when they want to listen to music. The younger people get, this percentage gradually declines:
- 35-39 years: 45%
- 25-34 years: 42%
- 18-24 years: 37%
- under 18 years: 27%
This pattern is also true for music genres where fans tend to listen more to albums than individual songs.
- New Age
- Metal
- Folk
- Jazz
- Alternative
Looking at how different age groups listen to music, people aged 50 and above, really enjoy albums. But when their favourite artist releases new albums, younger people, between 18 and 35, also get excited about them. So, even though streaming single songs is popular, albums are still very much alive.
