I finally canceled my Spotify subscription last week. It wasn’t just one thing that pushed me away; it was a mix. The CEO’s actions, low artist pay, layoffs, and an overall bad vibe from the company weighed on my mind.
Changing music services felt daunting. After years of building playlists and curating a library, I dreaded losing my collection. My last transition, from Google Play Music to Spotify, was a huge hassle, filled with missing songs and broken links.
But I reached a tipping point. All the talk about Spotify Wrapped made me uneasy. I’ve been trying to be more accountable with my decisions, putting my money into better places. I’ve installed solar panels, switched to ethical banking, and traded my gas car for an electric one. If I could do all that, I could switch my music service too.
Cancelling was simple, but my daughter, who used Spotify to connect with her friends through music, wasn’t thrilled. We opted for an individual plan for her, giving her the choice to decide when she’s ready to switch.
Now came the hard part: choosing a new platform. My family has varied music tastes, using different devices like a Pixel and an iPhone. We needed a service that catered to everyone.
First up was YouTube Music. As a YouTube Premium subscriber, I had access. But after trying it out again, I found the app frustrating and the sound quality lacking, so I moved on.
Next, I considered several options: Deezer, Amazon Music, Tidal. Each had their drawbacks. I wasn’t excited about Deezer, and Amazon Music didn’t feel right. Tidal offered good artist pay and quality sound, but its user experience didn’t win me over.
On social media, others shared similar frustrations. One user noted that finding a suitable replacement felt grim, with options dominated by major players that come with ethical concerns.
The situation seemed bleak. Streaming felt broken, and I thought about ditching it altogether. Maybe I should embrace an old-school approach, managing my own music library like I did in 2007. But with my family relying on streaming’s convenience, that wasn’t realistic.
So I narrowed it down to two services: Apple Music and Qobuz. Qobuz seemed promising, especially in supporting artists financially, but the pricing was steep. Meanwhile, Apple Music offered plenty: higher artist pay, quality sound, and a user-friendly app. I hesitated, but the perks won me over.
I took the plunge and set up a family plan. The sound quality was impressive, and the app’s design outshone competitors. Transferring my music library was easier than I’d hoped—using Soundiiz, I moved everything over in under 10 minutes.
However, there was a bittersweet note. My library included two albums that I’d lost during my previous switch, now restored. But while the transition was smooth, it felt more like a patch than a solution.
I enjoyed the convenience, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to invest more thoughtfully in music. The temptation of easy streaming keeps pulling me back in, even though I know that true support for artists often means purchasing their work directly.
In the end, my switch to Apple Music feels more temporary than I’d like. I still find joy in the ease of streaming, but I acknowledge that it’s not without its flaws. As I find my footing in this new music landscape, I know I’ll have to keep reflecting on my choices.
For more insights into choosing ethical streaming options, check out this guide to alternatives to Spotify.
