Ditching Spotify for a Week: My Surprising Journey

After a week away from Spotify, I dove back into YouTube Music, and wow, the transformation took me by surprise! When I asked readers why they preferred YouTube Music, the flood of passionate responses made me reconsider my loyalty to Spotify. With nearly 400 comments and overwhelming support for YouTube Music, it was time to explore what I might have been overlooking.

A Nostalgic Return

As a long-time user of Google Play Music, I was heartbroken when it was replaced by YouTube Music back in 2021. Initially, I found it clunky, overly reliant on videos, and just plain frustrating. That's why I jumped ship to Spotify, where I enjoyed seamless playlists and a perfect duo plan with my partner. However, revisiting YouTube Music felt like reconnecting with an old friend. I rediscovered beloved playlists, and the revamped interface had me feeling a wave of nostalgia.

A Clean, User-Friendly Experience

YouTube Music has come a long way since its rocky start. The new, cleaner UI was a breath of fresh air, featuring playlists I created and artists I adore right at my fingertips. Unlike Spotify, where I felt pressured to constantly seek out new music, YouTube Music had a comforting focus on content I had already enjoyed. It’s a refreshing change!

Discovering Hidden Gems

What impressed me the most? YouTube Music unlocked a treasure trove of tracks that I had battled to find on Spotify! From rare EDM remixes to unique content uploads, YouTube's vast library offers an incredible array of deep cuts that fans of niche artists will appreciate, especially since some artists still boycott Spotify.

Explore vs. Search: Which One Reigns Supreme?

I found YouTube Music’s Explore tab to be much more engaging than Spotify’s Search tab. While Spotify organizes its music into genres and themes, YouTube Music's layout draws you in with a deep dive into new releases and trending tracks, making it feel more intimate and tailored.

The Quirks That Persist

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. YouTube Music still struggles with some of the same issues that drove me away previously. For instance, why is a playlist of racing sounds showing up in a music app? Those oddities remind me that this is still a Google product, and it often blurs the lines between music and other video content.

Spotify Still Holds Its Ground

Despite the clear advancements in YouTube Music, certain features still have Spotify in the lead for me. The Spotify Jam feature makes collaborating with my partner seamless, especially during our common daily activities. Plus, Spotify’s smart search functions are unparalleled - I can execute specific queries with ease, something YouTube Music still doesn’t match.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile Rival, But Not Yet Home

While I was genuinely impressed by the user experience and capabilities of YouTube Music, it still has a way to go. YouTube Music lacks a Duo package, forcing me to consider a more expensive family plan to share with my partner. For now, I will stick with Spotify, but I can certainly see the appeal of YouTube Music growing. It’s a compelling alternative, and I’m open to more explorations in the future!