Apple Music has introduced a monthly version of its Replay feature, allowing subscribers to view their listening statistics on a more regular basis, including total listening minutes, top artists, songs, and albums for the previous month. The data is archived and accessible for future reference, but unlike the annual version, it does not come with an accompanying playlist or highlight reel. Additionally, Apple is preparing to release iOS 17.4 in March, which will include major App Store changes in the EU, Apple Podcasts transcripts, new emoji, and preparations for next-generation CarPlay.
Morgan Wallen's "One Thing at a Time" was the top album of 2023 in the U.S., with his lead single "Last Night" being the most-streamed song by on-demand audio streams. Taylor Swift had five of the top 10 albums and top 10-selling albums of 2023, with total music consumption increasing by 12.6%. R&B/hip-hop remained the top U.S. core genre, and vinyl album sales outsold CDs for the third year in a row. Overall, 2023 marked a significant year for album sales and music consumption in the U.S.
The author reflects on their decision to ditch music streaming services and return to a physical music collection. While price is a factor, the main motivation for the change is evolving listening habits and a decreased need for music discovery. The allure of owning and having complete control over their collection, including artwork and file quality, is also a driving factor. However, there are drawbacks to ditching streaming, such as the difficulty in finding affordable FLAC music and the loss of auto-curated mixes and recommendations. Despite the challenges, the author finds joy in actively searching for new artists and exploring back catalogs, making music discovery feel like a hobby again.
