What makes you buy, melody, rhythm, sound quality, talent, open discussion.

Probably all in differing proportions as my mood swings. I stream and no longer buy. This has allowed incredible freedom to explore and enjoy so much more music from all over the world, different genre, as well as music from my past without the draw to listen to what I own, or the analytical process of valuing it in order to decide if I want to buy it. Everything about this is good.
 

THis has opened up the world of music. So, I only occasionally listen to the same thing twice. My library is millions of albums. 

Amen to to the evolution of streaming. Thank you 

I see I didn’t choose my words properly, add to my playlists. 

Music needs to have all those things. It’s probably how they come together as a complete package. Mastering is critical. Sometimes, I feel it has an overall texture that really appeals to me. If it induces an altered state of consciousness. This is not repeatable. Next time it will be something completely different. 

Interesting, novel take, creative, unique, honest, engaging.

I don't stream, as it exploits artists. Pretty much everything I listen to is bought, mostly on vinyl, some also on CD, tape, even digital-only. For me to buy the work, it needs to have a unique take. For instance tAngerinecAt pairing hurdy gurdy with synth, or Ece Canli's evocative soundscapes, the over top intensity of Lynette Correzzo of Bestial Mouths, or the precise carnage of Rites of Spring, or Christopher Cerrone's "Liminal Highway" with resampled and overdubbed solo flute. "Honest" comes through in lyrics in artists' native languages. For instance Ductape's Turkish songs have it, while the English ones sound a bit contrived. Or the French of SIIE is spot on, similarly the fluidity in the German of Videotraum. Occasionally, bands can pull off the foreign language (The Ex), or mix and match for additional effect (Karl Kave).

A few vocalists somehow hook me, not sure why. For instance Alison Lewis aka Zanias (particularly earlier work, recently has gone commercial), Kriistal Ann (solo/Paradox Obscur), Kadri Sammel (Bedless Bones), or Alice Sheridan (New Haunts).