My girlfriend and I cannot agree on a rule for new album releases.

By @owenhm · Relationships

We have a tradition of doing a 'listening party' for our favorite artists' new albums. An album just dropped, but she's out of town until Sunday and says I am absolutely forbidden from listening to it until she gets back.

The full story

My girlfriend (29F) and I (31M) are both really into music. For the past couple of years, we've developed a tradition. Whenever a big album from an artist we both love is released, we wait until we can listen to it together for the first time. We make a whole event out of it—we put away our phones, use the good speakers, maybe have a drink, and really focus on the music. It's a great way to experience it. Well, one of our all-time favorite indie rock bands just surprise-dropped a new album at midnight last night. This is their first new music in four years, so it's a huge deal for us. The problem is, my girlfriend is visiting her sister in another state and doesn't get back until Sunday evening. they texted me this morning saying, "Do NOT listen to the album without me, I'm serious!" Logically, I understand her position. She wants to preserve the tradition and have that shared first-listen experience. they says it won't be the same if I've already heard it, formed opinions, and know all the surprises. She feels it's a small thing to ask, to just wait two days so we can enjoy it together as planned. My perspective is different. I don't see why my listening to it on my own would diminish a shared listening experience later. I could still sit with her, pay attention, and discuss it with her. My main issue is that in the age of the internet, it's almost impossible to avoid spoilers. People are already posting rankings, lyrics, and hot takes all over social media. By the time Sunday rolls around, I'll have inadvertently absorbed half the album through osmosis. I feel like my own 'pure' first-listen experience is being sacrificed for the sake of the 'joint' experience. I want to just put on my headphones and listen to it now while I'm doing things around the house today. I'm not trying to be selfish, but waiting 48+ hours feels like an eternity for something I'm this excited about. I don't think it's that big of a deal, but she's acting like it would be a major betrayal.

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