Listening to these music artists could affect your driving

Key takeaways

• New analysis reveals several major albums released in the past three years contain high proportions of fast‑tempo tracks, which research links to reduced driver focus.

• Noah Kahan’s Stick Season tops the list with 79% of tracks over 120 BPM, while Miley Cyrus’s Handstand is the fastest individual track at 184 BPM.

• Experts advise choosing calmer, steady‑rhythm music and setting playlists before driving to minimise distractions and support safer journeys.

In February this year, the National Bureau of Economic Research published a study linking an increase in fatal car accidents on days when major albums are released.

Previous research suggests music exceeding 120 beats per minute (BPM) can increase driver stress levels and reduce concentration.

With this in mind, MoneySuperMarket has analysed the beats per minute (BPM) of all the tracks from some of the most commercially and culturally significant albums released in the past three years.

We looked at which albums contain the highest proportion of tracks above the 120 BPM threshold. The team then identified the fastest individual tracks across the albums reviewed.

Top 10 albums with the highest share of fast-tempo tracks

Our analysis shows that Noah Kahan’s Stick Season contains the highest share of higher tempo tracks, with 79% of songs exceeding 120 BPM and an album average tempo of 142 BPM.

Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS takes second place, with 75% of tracks crossing the 120 BPM mark, followed by Charli XCX’s BRAT (71%).

When reviewing individual songs, Miley Cyrus’ Handstand has the fastest BPM recorded in the study at 184 BPM.

Two songs tie for second place at 180 BPM: gnx by Kendrick Lamar and Everywhere, Everything by Noah Kahan.

Top 10 fastest tracks from the biggest albums of the last three years

While music is an important part of most car journeys, choosing calmer tracks and planning your playlists before setting off can help you make safer decisions on the road.

When choosing the right driving music, your priority should be minimising distractions. Calm music is ideal - but not so calm as to put you to sleep - with a consistent, steady rhythm that keeps you engaged but doesn't require your attention.

Instrumental music or music in a different language are also popular choices to help you focus by removing the distraction of lyrics.

Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert

Get your playlist ready before you head out

It’s important to remember that your choice of music is just one of many factors that may affect your concentration when you’re on the road.

Drivers should remember the Highway Code rules around mobile phone use. It’s illegal to hold or use your phone while driving, and that includes changing a playlist or adjusting your music.

Setting everything up before you start your journey is the safest option to help avoid distractions.

^{Methodology
MoneySuperMarket compiled a list of some of the most commercially and culturally significant albums released in the past three years. The beats per minute (BPM) of each track were analysed using publicly available BPM data. Albums were then ranked based on the percentage of tracks exceeding 120 BPM, a tempo often associated with heightened stress while driving.}