Repetition helps you appreciate a song or an album …

… but be warned that critical thought is also required.

Otherwise you will end up fooling yourself …

…. due to the musical version of “Stockholm syndrome.”

Tom Barnes explains:

we now know that the emotional centers of the brain — including the reward centers — are more active when people hear songs they’ve been played before. In fact, those brain areas are more active even than when people hear unfamiliar songs that are far better fits with their musical taste.