How to Build a Music Library That You Actually Own

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It’s ridiculous that the pace of my day can be ruined by the realization that a beloved song is no longer on the streaming platform I pay for. As someone who vividly remembers cassette tapes, CDs, and hoarding hard drives full of MP3s, it’s a reminder of what we traded in when we said “yes” to streaming services years ago.

I’ve been working on my Warped Tour playlist for the summer, but I keep running into a ton of licensing holes and grayed-out deep cuts. The gaps are everywhere, and it’s harshing the vibe. It’s another harrowing reminder that I merely rent whatever Spotify offers in its music library. That’s why I started building my music library from scratch again. Here’s how to find, buy, and own music in a world that has gone purely streaming.

The best places to buy

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