In response to the statement that music is subjective and that there is no universal standard for what is “cool”, I disagree. Of course, it is true that different people have different tastes in music and that the same track can sound completely different depending on the atmosphere or context. What Nikhil was referring to when he suggests there is a “cool” type of music is not a single genre or artist that everyone must enjoy, but rather just a reasonable expectation that the music he chooses will be accepted by others.
Moreover, while music can be a reflection of both the musician’s and listener’s experience, this does not mean that any type of music would be appropriate for a social gathering. Some types of music are better suited for certain occasions than others - for instance, playing energetic pop songs at a funeral would not be “cool”. Nikhil’s original essay acknowledges this by suggesting that it is possible to find music that appeals to both the host and their guests - in other words, music that is accepted by the majority.
The beauty of music lies not only in the fact that different people interpret it differently, but also in its ability to unite people in an enjoyable experience. Thus, it is important to keep in mind what kind of atmosphere you want to create and what type of music would be fitting for that atmosphere - whether it be a “cool” type or otherwise. It is wrong to assume that there isn't a type of music that could be universally accepted!