The role of background music in cognitive task performance remains contentious. On the one hand, arguments based on the cognitive capacity model suggest that background music constitutes a distraction as it grabs attention and diverts limited processing resources from the task at hand, resulting in reduced performance. On the other hand, it has been suggested that background music has the potential to increase alertness (arousal), positively influencing attention on the task at hand and thus improving performance. If we consider different types of music, results seem to suggest that: 1) instrumental music is associated with a more positive effect on memory and learning, and 2) faster music is more beneficial than slower music. More specifically, listening to fast tempo music creates a state of elevated mood and arousal that is advantageous to subsequent cognitive task performance. However, the role of valence in supporting cognitive performance remains uncertain. 'Touching' music (described as 'slow' and 'sad') seems to enhance facial memory, while 'joyful' music (described as 'fast') impaires it. Conversely, accuracy in difficult arithmetic tasks is enhanced by both 'joyful' and 'touching' music. In our study we aimed to investigate whether faster vs slower musical tempo and background vs pre-task music listening differentially affect performance in a visuospatial feature binding task. Accuracy and mean reaction times demonstrated differential effects based on musical characteristics and task condition demands. Future research should focus on the interaction between music listening and cognitive performance to support cognition in individuals across the lifespan and from different clinical populations (e.g., developmental and/or neurodegenerative disorders).