Music reflects the zeitgeist of the time made in. 1940's-war years and aftermath,pre and mid war, music reflected determination and togetherness of war effort, post-celebration and optimism. 1950's-happy times, optimism continues, a more innocent sense of everlasting love, monocultural, homogeneous perception of our world, very insular and feeling of being safe and protected. 1960's- early-basically extension of 50's, mid to late-the world suddenly not so safe, government and cultural institutions not to be trusted, angst, revolution, alongside illusory visions of universal love, communal living, mind altering drugs-finding new doors of perception-ultimate expressions of optimism. Wow, really wide open decade! 1970's-60's dreams gradually die, cynicism, drugs no longer used for mind expansion, rather to numb the mind, freaks or druggies vs. hippie intentions, society continues in divisive mode-traditional American values vs. new values of 60's, 70's youth. 1980's-Increasing fragmentation, beginning of search for more individualistic ways to live, being more authentic to oneself.
Above, annotated summary of times, much left out, but gist of decades here. Also, I'd suggest popular music more reflective of time produced in than other music forms. Music always reflective of group identity, over time groups subdivide, results in increasing varied genres and sub-genres of music. Today, we can easily create playlists that reflect a singular soundtrack for however we feel at the time. For me, this is the golden age of music, I have all the music made up until now to listen to. I can bring up memories of the past and find so much new and unfamiliar music. I don't particularly care to want to relive my past, the memory of past music to events of my life is good enough.
As to what is a golden age of music for anyone is more applicable to one's age than some objective judgement of what constitutes good music. For me, most of the best music is timeless, I seem to only get into the music rather than feel any specific memory. Memories interfere with pure music enjoyment, mind distracted and fixed on memory rather than music.
