A couple of weeks back, I wrote too soon. Then, I mentioned being a die-hard CD enthusiast. Surprise, surprise…turns out I’ve adapted. Yes, I still run CDs on my music player. However, more and more, I’ve been listening to tunes on my 5G Oppo phone. I’ve discovered this app called Spotify. Though a late bloomer, this is the way to go for me. Previously, I discovered the wonders of Apple Music. Like Spotify, three months’ free access was quite enticing. I used it with my old Apple account. Aside from my faves, I played mellow and meditative music. I even sampled some white noise.

Cobra bye

A quick look at JB’s shelves will reveal that CDs are a dying breed. You’d spot the odd vinyl purchase but the good old cd seems antiquated. In that sensei, I’m probably the last shogun. All those eBay sellers are being ignored. JB’s disc stock will never be depleted. Even the thrift stores are crying crocodile tears.

I’ve used iTunes. Spotify seems more straightforward. The Swedish company has been around since 2006. It has really taken off in Europe. On the App Store’s music category, it’s number one. It competes with Apple Music for tune streaming supremacy. Unlike the former, it’s available on Mac, Android, iOS, and Windows, in 184 markets. In other words, it’s accessible outside the Apple ecosystem. Their site is one of the net’s most visited, with a massive catalogue. You won’t physically scour the music section for obscure releases. I’ve found singles by Wannabe Jalva, The Moffatts, countless Pinoy artists, even Fleetwood Mac. They have the stars, superstars, and indie musicians.

‘Stubefy!’

Furthermore, their logo is quite minimalist. A three-line image with a green background above the word Spotify. It’s as straightforward and unpretentious as Apple’s. However, don’t let this simplicity fool you. Spotify is one of the most valuable and recognisable Swedish companies, worth tens of billions of dollars.

The name is not the easiest to remember. It’s not as common as Band Aid, IG (Instagram), or Coke. I’ll provide some examples to illustrate my point. Apple is really breezy. So are Oppo and Nike. Coles only has one syllable. Superdry makes you think of beer. Conversely, Ikea might be four letters, but is three syllables. Still, it’s relatively swift to recall. In terms of banking, NAB (National Australia Bank) is most painless to memorise. CBA (Commonwealth Bank of Australia) might be somewhat more challenging.

If you’re having trouble recalling Spotify, just remember this scene from Harry Potter. His peer, Neville Longbottom, was injured. Instead of saying ‘Stupefy’, he utters ‘Stubefy!’

That’s close enough to Spotify.

Searching for singles

Their app’s search function is both handy and accurate. Once you’ve found your artist, you can listen to the song and add it to your curated playlist. You have the freedom to name the latter, so you won’t get confused. Sometimes, they even include the song’s number of streams. Their homepage likewise has a long list of music genres. When you play a song, it comes with recommendations. Like iTunes, albums, extended plays, and singles come with artwork.

On eBay, there are no Moffatts albums in Oz. You’d have to do with used singles. As a 90s relic, they’ve been subsumed to history. If you find a Duncan Sheik CD, you’d fork out a ridiculous amount. There is no local stock of Pinoy musicians, even big bands like The Eraserheads, Rivermaya, and Hale.

Nostalgia

Spotify has these, and more. They have both the latest drops and one-hit wonders. You will get dizzy from all the genres. Whether country or punk rock, alternative or jazz, there’s something for everyone. So far, I’ve found all the artists and songs that I wanted. You’ll feel nostalgic by playing the hits from your school days. I turned sentimental with ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’, a mini epic by the Eraserheads. Often, you wouldn’t even have to leave the app, unless you research some artist.

This makes bricks and mortar retailers, and even online stores, anachronistic. They are like the ‘Shaq attack’ in today’s three pointer era. Or a landline in the age of mobile phones. There is no waiting around for the pickup email, or next business day delivery. If you like a song, listen to it and it’s yours. With eBay or Fishpond, you’d go through ten mediocre tunes when all you were after is two or three standout singles.

Thus, it’s incredibly painless. You could even call it hands-off as, often, there’s no need to push any buttons or menus. It works offline. Take your picks, stay in or head out. Listen on the go, on the train, in your room, or to lull you to sleep. Your music could inspire you and generate more creativity. As mentioned, it can bring back memories. Outside, you can use some earphones and forget the world. Like iTunes, there’s no need to hit pause. Just shuffle your playlist and you’re good to go. Everything is there, no need to import CDs or use gift cards to make purchases. I am a big fan of their model.

Embracing the new

Collecting CDs means taking up more space. This is the old methodology, one that has declined in relevance. Nowadays, peeps have gone digital. A month of Spotify costs $13.99. The Ed Sheeran CD that I bought was $12. Imagine how much dollars and real estate you’ll save by choosing the road more travelled. $12 will net you maybe ten or twelve songs. $13.99 gives you a repository’s worth. The best value I got from JB was three brand new albums for $20. On eBay, they were preloved and pricier. Buying new (or used) CDs isn’t very practical. Hence, there are so few loyalists.

To be honest, I wouldn’t have noticed Spotify if not for the three months. This year, Spotify ranks second best in terms of value among my subscriptions. I was able to get twelve months of Uber One for free. In 2024, yours truly only paid for one month’s access. Spotify has quickly become one of my phone’s most-used apps. Though a long time coming, I’m glad for making the switch.