I have always loved music and still do. I think what you describe has in part been due to scarcity. But in part it has to do with growing up. As a teenager you are often bored out of your whole mind and so have time to focus on music. You also listen to the lyrics and the ideas presented are brand new and meaningful. Later in life you are less likely to find truly novel albums, or even songs; maybe a phrase here and there but a record is less likely to capture your imagination.
Here is my solution to enjoying music: treat it as a soundtrack to your life. Create themed playlists. Spotify has collaborative playlists built in and I have a couple of friends who are or were professional DJs. I will start a playlist and then have them add things to it based on the theme and feeling. This process has gotten better and better. I now enjoy high quality music that I love while also discovering new artists and records.
I'm in my 50s and I still listen to new music that moves me to both excitement and tears. I don't use streaming services and just maintain my own library and always have. Many of the bands I listen to have members older than I am, but they are still actively making new music.
I'm also in my 50s and was doing just what you do, then tediously went through hundreds of CDs and then tons of legit iTunes purchases to track what music i liked, and then converted to using Spotify, which has been excellent, though with a UI somewhat clunky, though nowhere as annoying as Apple Music the times i've tried using it.
Here is my solution to enjoying music: treat it as a soundtrack to your life. Create themed playlists. Spotify has collaborative playlists built in and I have a couple of friends who are or were professional DJs. I will start a playlist and then have them add things to it based on the theme and feeling. This process has gotten better and better. I now enjoy high quality music that I love while also discovering new artists and records.