Retroverse Year

2015

The industry crosses a line — streaming revenue surpasses downloads in the U.S., and every artist starts optimizing for the skip button and the repeat. Adele's '25' defies the trend by selling records like it's 1999, while Drake and The Weeknd make mood the primary product. The album isn't dead, but it's negotiating for its life. The album isn't dead, but it's negotiating for its life in a world built for the skip button.