Specifically, the models found that people who listened to songs with less positive emotional tones tended to have higher predicted intelligence scores. The researchers suggest that sad or melancholic music might appeal to those who use music for introspection and reflection.

Songs with lyrics focused on the present moment, perceived honesty, and home-related topics were also associated with higher cognitive ability. On the other hand, preferring lyrics with many social words or tentative language tended to predict lower intelligence scores.

I wonder if that varies over time. Is the correlation between negativity and intelligence a factor of reacting to the bleakness of the world atm rather than an intrinsic attribute?