Music has never been more successful. With the rise of apps such as Spotify and Pandora, we have an entire world of music at our fingertips. In my opinion, this is the best thing that has happened in the music industry since Michael Jackson was born. Although the apps can be controversial when it comes to paying the artists what they deserve, I believe that overall, the presence of these music libraries is positive.
The best quality about these apps is the chance to discover new music. Whenever I hear of a new band or artist, I immediately look them up on Spotify and listen to their first few songs. If I like the first few, I add their albums to a playlist that I listen to frequently. These easy steps allow me to get familiar with new albums and new artists, often leading me to become a dedicated fan. Once I become familiar with their music, I will see them at shows when they tour close to my city, and I listen to their music countless times. Without the easy access to their music, I probably would not invest the time or money to becoming acquainted with their music. Before having these apps, in order to hear new music, I would have to spend time on YouTube searching the artist and continually switch between songs or press repeat. Although this is not a difficult task, you can’t easily do this while multitasking. I couldn’t listen to music on YouTube while I cleaned or did my makeup. When I didn’t have the time or patience to do that, I would have to buy their music on iTunes. When shopping for anything, I don’t like to buy something unless I am 100 percent sure I will love it and use it. I am never entirely sure about buying music on iTunes unless I have listened to it countless times and have never grown tired of it. Therefore, I would never buy new artists’ music on iTunes, thus never even giving them a chance. Now with the playlists on Spotify, I can listen to playlists entirely comprised of that artist while doing other activities. I can listen to all of the music I want, only paying $5 per month (because of the college student discount).
I can confidently say that I would not listen to any of the artists I listen to now without the ability to look them up on Spotify. I would most likely rely on the radio to provide me with new music. We cannot rely on the radio to introduce us to new music because most of the time, the radio is powered by affluent record labels that control exactly when and where their songs will be played. The radio will not play smaller artists that are just beginning; therefore they will never get recognition if people rely solely on the radio. Spotify has a section that will recommend you to other artists that sound similar to the artist you are currently listening to. This feature alone has led me to several bands I never knew existed. This feature alone has given several bands the access to a bigger listener network.
Although these apps may not benefit bigger artists who are played on the radio and widely known, Spotify really helps smaller and newer bands gain recognition and reach to all kinds of new people. I am very grateful for these music apps, and I am a very strong supporter of them.
