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Earlier today, I signed up for Youtube’s new music streaming service, Youtube Music. Here is my honest review. I promise you that nobody paid me. I’m no shill. I’m doing this shit for free.

Reminiscent of Spotify

The colors, the layout, the free version (with ads), and the vast availability of music reminds me a lot of Spotify. Artist profiles are not as personalized or robust, but the music is there. However, it seems they’re placing a bit more of an emphasis on music videos, something Spotify and Apple Music have failed to capitalize on or even really integrate. 

The Price is Just Right

Google Play Music and YouTube Music each cost $9.99/month. However, subscribe to one, and you’re automatically subscribed to the other if it’s available in your country — so it’s just $9.99/month total for both services. That’s one hell of a deal. In comparison, Spotify’s Premium plan costs $9.99/month, as does Apple Music.

App & Online Player

YouTube’s app functioned flawlessly for me, and YouTube’s online player seemed to work just as well. Here is one area YouTube dominates. Spotify’s web player is clunky and never seems to work as well as their app. This is not an issue for most, but for those of you with a Chromebook, this is something to think about.

Top Track Confusion

The only area I’m still unsure about is artist’s songs. On Spotify it shows every artists top 10 tracks (why only 10?! I’ll never know), but on YouTube, it just says songs, and then once you click on it, it seems to take you to all artist’s tracks. So, I’m not sure if this implies that these are the artist’s top tracks or just a random vault of all their songs. Either way, this seems to be a very easy problem to correct. 

Closing Thoughts

I am not leaving Spotify anytime soon, mainly because of the playlists (both mine and theirs). But, Spotify should still be nervous. YouTube seems to be serious about their music service, and if they’re able to effectively integrate music videos into their platform, Spotify and Apple Music might be toast. Stay tuned. 

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Twenty8’s Instagram

Twenty8 teams up with Dirty Productions to create a surreal and visually dystopian landscape for his unreleased track, Luci. It’s a dark trip into the dirty game of love.

Proceed with caution. 

The video portrays a violent twist on what love will make you do all while a hypnotic beat lulls you into a catatonic state. 

The beat is on point, and the flow is smooth — everything one could ask for. Keep up with Twenty8 on Spotify and Instagram. I’m out. 

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Daniel’s Instagram

Two days ago, Barcelona’s very own poet of despair dropped his new album, Stories from a Whiskey-Soaked Mind. It’s a five track masterpiece doused in a bit of brandy and melodic magnificence.

Despite the finale taking a dark fall down a drunken black hole, it’s a sublime soundscape to experience. Now, lose yourself in the noxious vibrations of Daniel Ruiz.

Here is a special note from Daniel:

“In here you’ll find stories entangled with melodies, all of them of my creation. Some of them are true, some of them aren’t. Some of them made me happy, some of them haunt me to this day. I’m obliged to invite you to enter this maze of words and music under your own discretion. Don’t look back. Follow your gut. I advise you to consume this collection of songs under a heavy dose of your drug of choice.”

Buy the album via Daniel’s Bandcamp.

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Photo Courtesy of Golan’s Facebook

Golan is an eclectic five piece project out of Bucharest, Romania.

One could never loath the sound of such wistful melodies floating upon an eastern European cityscape. Golan’s contrasting abilities combine in a unique blend of harmonic majesty.

By infusing a vast array of instruments, both live and digital, the much needed human touch is always present. A living force in the sonic substructure of “Rocket Love”. 

The track features Island Chain.

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan

Photo Courtesy of EYES EYES’ Instagram

EYES EYES is an alternative Swedish-American indie pop group who just recently dropped their latest single ”Walmart”. The song entails the story of a very peculiar childhood in the United States.

In the afterglow of independence, the antics of the grind turn most to rem·i·nisce on the golden years of ignorant bliss. A time that glows with nostalgia. 

Johan Barrett and Markus Miljand are the creative forces powering the band — two staples of the Swedish indie scene.

The music is recorded and mixed by Daniel Bengtsson at Studio Rymden in Stockholm. Listen to both of their singles on Spotify. 

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“We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.” — Sagan