Let's start this off with a hot take: Jacob Collier's music is soulless.

Hate me yet? Good. We can work together to get past the clickbait.

If you've listened to Collier, you're probably like everyone else: amazed and bedazzled by his musical abilities. Sweeping across the keyboard, switching between instruments, superimposing wild harmonic changes over familiar melodies—the kid does it all. He's our generation's Mozart: a wunderkind prodigy with superhuman technical chops and musicality.

There's no denying his skill.

Here's the thing: I've never listened to any song of his that's moved me. I've been amazed, wowed by his skills. But I've never been filled with emotion. I've never felt anything when I listen to his music.

This might be reflective of my musical values and personal biases. I love songs that have emotional depth, that tell stories of human conflict or suffering, that make us think more deeply about our lives and the preciousness of the world. They don't have to be sad—Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" is a moving, sweet, and precious example of music that captures someone's love for a newborn child.

Collier's records are flashy and shiny. They inspire awe. They're playful, explorative, and fun. They're just not emotionally deep. When I listen to Collier, I feel like I'm listening to someone without any real-life experience.

Harsh, sure, but stay with me. What I mean by "real" life experience is the overcoming of strife. Going through something hard, transmuting that experience into musical beauty, and overcoming it. I hear that in Sufjan Stevens' music and the Beach Boys’ music. I hear it in Flamenco and Indian Classical Music.

I don't hear any of that in Collier's music. His work feels pristine, like it’s untouched by hardship. It’s a dazzling performance, but it doesn’t hit me in the gut.

Maybe he hasn’t lived through the kinds of struggles that would leave scars on his sound. Maybe his world is lighter, filled with joy, curiosity, and exploration

Now for the twist: that's totally okay. No judgment. Seriously. It's amazing that someone like Collier exists. He's a gift to the world of art.

The broader point is that all kinds of music are welcome.

While I may connect to music that expresses and addresses human struggle, that's not everyone's cup of tea. Music serves infinite purposes. It can deepen our connection to the difficulties of the human experience or inspire us to be joyful and playful. It's used for dance, rituals, and ceremonies. It's background music for parties, intimacy, and even elevators. It's a means of connection between musicians and audiences. It's so many things.

That's the beauty of it. All music is welcome. Yes, even if I am not into it.

If you find yourself not vibing with a musician or an artist, ask yourself: what need does this music fulfill for people? Why might people resonate with this?

There is a multiplicity in music. It's everywhere and for everything. What will you find the next time you listen?