Music is always playing somewhere on campus; through headphones in the library, over speakers in dorm rooms, or spinning on a record player during the late-night hours. But the way students listen is just as personal as the music itself.
“I mostly use Spotify when listening to music,” said senior Aleksandra Kozak. “I can play it right from my phone, so it’s useful for when I’m on the go.”
Source: Alexis Barada, Staff Writer and Photographer
Spotify offers a student plan starting at $7 per month, providing a more affordable option for students on a budget.
“I’m only paying $6 a month for Apple Music,” said senior Lauren Koulouris.
Other music platforms, such as Apple Music, also offer discounted subscriptions.
Over the years, Spotify has added several curation tools that make it increasingly easier to expand your playlist by finding new music. This has been one of the platform’s biggest driving factors.
“I love the way Spotify offers different playlists based on my music taste,” said Kozak.
Spotify also gives users a roundup of their most-streamed music from the past year, which is another aspect many students look forward to.
Others utilize different platforms based on interests. Some students value streaming quality over playlist curation.
“One reason I use Apple Music over Spotify is that the sound quality is higher on Apple Music,” said senior Richard Redler. “Even though the quality isn’t that much of a difference, I also prefer Apple’s navigation more than Spotify’s.”
In early September, Spotify launched its ‘lossless’ audio, allowing users to stream music at higher quality. This has added another layer to the Apple Music vs. Spotify debate.
Music streaming aside, some students also prefer physical CDs or vinyl for a more authentic, traditional musical experience.
“It’s a great way to listen to music and stay off my phone when doing homework,” said junior Sylwia Tobiasz.
Over the past couple of years, vinyls, especially, have been growing in popularity among younger music listeners.
“The process of pulling out a record, placing the needle, and hearing the music through decent speakers allows for a much more focused and ritualistic listen than streaming can offer,” said senior Corey Smith. “Seeing the artwork and inserts helps to capture the vibe artists were conveying in their music, as opposed to merely an album cover seen on Apple Music or Spotify.”
With a classic turntable setup, users tend to get a better listening experience than with streaming services.
“Depending on the system and vinyl pressing, a record can offer a sound with much more depth and smoothness than a compressed file,” said Smith.
Overall, 66.7% of Sacred Heart students prefer Spotify over Apple Music. 88% of students say they use their streaming service of choice multiple times a day. But whether it’s curated playlists, cleaner audio quality, or the ritual of setting a needle on vinyl, the way students choose to listen is uniquely their own.
