Stop. Watch. Listen
YouTube Music is no chart-topper, but it still has some perks
If you spend time going down the music video rabbit hole on the mothership, then you'll have fun with the streaming app, without those pesky interruptions
AT A GLANCE:
WHAT: YouTube Music
STARRING: All the musicians you can think of
WHO SHOULD CARE: Music-video lovers
WHY: Because, essentially, this is a personally curated music-video channel
FULL REVIEW:
I usually love all things YouTube, but their latest venture has kind of left me in the "meh" category.
Look, the YT Music app is not wholly disappointing but it also won't inspire the urge to start twerking. YT Music as an app is not new to the scene, just new to SA - one of 46 countries where it is available.
It adds yet another option to the four/four masihlalisane world of music streaming services.
Which is probably why it's going to be a hard sell in 2019, because, let's face it, we don't have a shortage of music-streaming platforms to choose from. So what sets this one apart, you ask?
Well, from my experience with the app, which I was privileged to beta test, the main selling points are: 1. the option to download and watch music videos offline (great for a long Easter road trip), and 2. you can control how much of your precious phone memory to use.
But beyond that, YT Music is not a chart-topper.
As a pure music streaming platform it is not the best. But if like me you spend time going down the music video rabbit hole on the mothership, it will be fun and save you from the inevitable non-music video suggestions that typically interrupt your set.
The app wins brownie points by feeling personal from initial download by pretty much stalking your previously played music to curate a list on your home screen.
Also really dope is the Smart Search feature which is handy when you don't know the track title. You can input the few words/phrases you know to search the song - and it can do that in a range of languages including isiZulu and isiXhosa.
So, should you cancel your Google Play/Tidal/Spotify etc subscription? Not just yet. But if you want to check it out before making your decision, there's a free ad-supported version.
If you hate ads you can get Premium, a paid membership that allows background listening, downloads and an ad-free experience for R59.99 a month. There's also a family plan at R89.99 a month.
YouTube Music app is available to download from the Play Store and App Store today or users can check out the web player at music.youtube.com and sign up for YouTube Premium at youtube.com/premium...
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