A legendary record producer-turned-brain scientist explains why you fall in love with music.
This Is What It Sounds Like is a journey into the science and soul of music that reveals the
secrets of why your favourite songs move you. But it's also a story of a musical trailblazer
who began as a humble audio tech in Los Angeles to became Prince's chief engineer for Purple
Rain and then create other No. 1 hits as one of the most successful female record producers of
all time. Now an award-winning professor of cognitive neuroscience Susan Rogers leads readers
to musical self-awareness. She explains that we each possess a unique 'listener profile' based
on our brain's natural response to seven key dimensions of any song. Are you someone who
prefers lyrics or melody? Do you like music 'above the neck' (intellectually stimulating) or
'below the neck' (instinctual and rhythmic)? Whether your taste is esoteric or mainstream
Rogers guides readers to recognize their musical personality and offers language to describe
one's own unique taste. Like most of us Rogers is not a musician but she shows that all of us
can be musical - simply by being an active passionate listener. While exploring the science of
music and the brain Rogers also takes us behind the scenes of record-making using her
insider's ear to illuminate the music of Prince Frank Sinatra Kanye West Lana Del Rey and
many others. She shares records that changed her life contrasts them with those that appeal to
her co-author and students and encourages you to think about the records that define your own
identity. Lively inclusive and revelatory This Is What It Sounds Like will refresh your
playlists deepen your connection to your favourite artists and change the way you listen to
music.
