For many music lovers, streaming has replaced owning their tunes as the go-to way to listen to them. Instead of shelling out for a record, CD or download from their favorite artist, consumers can now stream instantaneously from massive libraries online for free (with ads) or a monthly fee. This shift has had a profound impact on the industry, with physical sales dwindling and digital revenue becoming king.
But how does that work for artists? That question is at the heart of the two-part Paramount+ documentary “How Music Got Free.” Depending on your perspective, it’s either a merry tale of the money-changers in the temple getting their due or a sad story about corporations and consumers conspiring to deprive up-and-coming musicians of fair wages.
Free Music Streaming: Enjoy Unlimited Tunes
The first of the two films is more of the former, featuring interviews with a variety of up-and-coming and well-established musicians who complain that the current streaming model has stripped them of their income. While they acknowledge that changes are needed, they also warn that reforms such as equitable remuneration won’t necessarily solve the problem completely. Instead, the answer may lie in a radical rethink of the whole distribution system, with labels giving up some control of their back catalogues to third-party companies that could pay artists fairer rates for each track played.
A free music streaming service called Musi is one example of how this might work. Using YouTube’s API, Musi allows users to search through their listening histories and play any song they’ve previously heard. It’s not clear whether the company is breaking any laws, however, as it doesn’t divulge much about its business model. It’s also hard to contact the company directly, and it’s impossible to know who is behind the operation.
Another free music streaming option is Spotify, which offers both free and paid accounts. The free tiers have some restrictions—typically six song skips an hour and ad-supported playback—while the for-pay services offer unlimited songs and features such as playlist creation and offline listening.
Both of these services have their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s up to the individual user to decide which is best for them. For example, if you want to listen offline, Musi is an excellent option, while Spotify’s library is larger and includes more high-quality tracks.
Another important consideration is how easy it is to use the service in your car. Both Spotify and Audiomack allow you to play music through your vehicle’s speakers, but the quality of the sound will vary. For a high-quality experience, you’ll want to choose an audio streaming service that outputs audio files in the WAV format. Additionally, you should consider whether the service has an integrated social media feature or offers curated playlists. eSound, for instance, has an integrated social media feature, while Audiomack does not. Lastly, it’s worth checking if the service allows you to download music for offline listening, as this is a major perk for those who commute long distances on a regular basis.