Embracing a new music streaming service can feel like a big commitment. After years of using Spotify, I was hesitant to dive into anything new. However, a recent nudge and a strong recommendation from a friend led me to YouTube Music, and my listening habits haven’t been the same since.
It turns out this platform offers more than I anticipated and delivers a personalized audio experience that I wish I had explored much earlier. Here’s how YouTube Music started as a casual experiment and quickly turned into my go-to audio companion.
Moving away from Spotify
For years, I was a hardcore Spotify user. I considered it irreplaceable. Spotify’s AI playlists felt like magic. Discover Weekly and Release Radar weren’t just algorithms; they were my personal music curators.
Beyond the music, Spotify’s robust podcast integration was another major draw. It was so convenient to jump from my favorite album to the latest episode of a true-crime series.
So, why did I make the leap, even if only to try it? It wasn’t an instant decision. Instead, it was more like a slow nudge. I kept seeing unique live performances pop up on YouTube that I wished I could listen to. The promise of the YouTube Premium bundle was also tempting.
Whatever the reason may be, I decided to give YouTube Music a shot, fully expecting to return to Spotify. The moment I started exploring YouTube Music and creating playlists, a single thought came to my mind: Why did I wait so long?
A vast library and uniqueness
This is where YouTube Music not only met my expectations but blew them out of the water. With Spotify, I had access to virtually every official album and single, which was fantastic for mainstream listening. But my music taste extends beyond studio-recorded tracks.
I wanted to listen to live performances, the innovative twist of a fan-made remix, and those rare gems that often only circulate among dedicated communities. YouTube Music reveals its true superpower here.
Take, for example, my favorite singer, the legendary Sonu Nigam. I have always loved his iconic rendition of “Saathiya,” a song I have played thousands of times.
On Spotify, I had the official studio version, and that was it. But on YouTube Music? It’s a whole different ballgame.
I suddenly had access to multiple live performances of “Saathiya.” The one that truly resonated with me was a live version where “Saathiya” is performed with a completely different vibe. It felt like hearing the song for the very first time.
Beyond live performances, the volume of remixes and covers, both official and unofficial, is amazing. Thanks to its neat integration with YouTube, the Music app creates a universe that doesn’t exist on other platforms.
Discovery and flawless recommendations
I used to think that Spotify’s recommendation algorithms were the gold standard. My Discover Weekly and Release Radar were impressive, constantly introducing me to new tracks and artists that aligned with my taste.
Then, YouTube Music entered the chat, and its recommendation engine is right up there with Spotify. Besides, Google has more data to play with. It factors every music video I have searched for and watched on YouTube. It also considers concert clips and artists I have searched for.
This means the recommendations feel personalized and accurate. My “Supermix” often introduces me to a track or an artist that I instantly fall in love with.
Podcast integration and a decent UI
YouTube Music offers a decent UI with a gradient theme. It’s functional but not the prettiest. I found Spotify to have better design and animations. I was also surprised to see Podcast integration in the app. Like Spotify, I don’t need to switch between apps to get the job done.
Finally, let’s address the elephant in the room (for some) – audio quality. I know some audiophiles debate bitrates and codecs with passion, but speaking from my personal experience, I have no complaints about YouTube Music’s audio quality.
It mainly streams at 256kbps AAC, which, for the majority of listeners like myself, is perfectly sufficient and sounds great on typical headphones and speakers.
I’m not an audio expert. I listen to my everyday Bluetooth headphones through my car’s audio system or via standard home speakers. In all these scenarios, the sound is clear, crisp, and robust.
From skeptic to superfan
My biggest takeaway from finally diving into YouTube Music is this: Don’t wait as long as I did. The seamless integration of a vast music library, personalized recommendations, and an intuitive interface elevated my daily soundtrack.
Unlike many Google apps, this one is a robust contender in the streaming space and is worthy of your attention. For those of you rocking an iPhone, the app is well-designed for iOS, runs smoothly, and offers the same fantastic experience.
YouTube Music is far from perfect, and there is always room for improvement. Here are the top features Google needs to steal from its rivals.
