Some people go out of their way to take the time to listen to new music because they crave hearing something new, while others like to hear familiar songs and are okay with having that experience only a few times per day. Please allow me a wonky, scientific explanation for why some people like new music while others like familiar music.

The human brain has two systems for processing music. One is called “veridical” and releases doses of serotonin when it hears familiar music that it already knows. As the process gets more and more efficient over time for a particular song, we call it “that song growing on me.” That feeling of joy or pleasure one experiences when “that song” comes on is the veridical system releasing serotonin to the brain.

The other system is called “schematic.” In this system, the brain releases that sweet, sweet serotonin when it figures out what is happening in new, unfamiliar music. It’s similar to the endorphin rush some folks experience when they solve a puzzle. It’s what’s happening when one suddenly “gets” why Thelonious Monk is playing seemingly “wrong” notes at “odd” times in melodies. It’s what’s happening when one “gets into” early Animal Collective records, or underground hip-hop, or Corsican polyphonic singing, or Indonesian trance music.

Nobody’s brain is all one way or the other, but some people are more veridical than schematic while some are the other way around. If your brain is primarily veridical, familiar music will give you the most pleasure. If your brain is primarily schematic, you’ll be constantly looking out for new musical puzzles to be solved.

A thought experiment: you’re stranded on a desert island for many years. You can choose one of two magical iPods to listen to while stranded. One will play every song you've ever heard and as often as you like, but will never play anything new. The other will always play something amazing that you’ve never heard before, but will never play any song more than once and you'll never hear your old favorites. Which you choose, and your feelings for and against each choice, tells you about how veridical or how schematic your own brain is. 

Personal experience: A few years ago, I was at a show by Alex Bleeker & the Freaks. I was familiar with Bleeker’s playing with the band Real Estate, but hadn’t yet heard his solo stuff. My schematic system was having a lot of fun processing new melodies and songs, but during one extended jam, they started playing a familiar set of chords I couldn’t quite place. The band played around with the melody, riffing and improvising on the lines, without ever spelling it out exactly. What was that song? I knew that I knew it, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. “That sound, what is it?,” my brain demanded. My schematic system was in overdrive trying to “figure out” what they were playing. Then suddenly, as the guitar reached the chorus, Bleeker started singing, “I’m walking on sunshine (oh yeah).”

That was it! Katrina & the Waves! Walking on Sunshine!  The whole audience suddenly erupted loudly into cheers, so I know I wasn’t the only one who just experienced a double shot of endorphins  - a schematic dose of serotonin from “solving the puzzle” of what was playing, followed by a second, veridical dose as the familiar Top 40 hit was played. Felt good, man.

Listen to whatever you like as frequently or infrequently as suits you. There’s no right or wrong. It’s all just what works for you and the chemistry set in your head.