Spotify isn't our reigning champion when it comes to value, variety and audio quality, but its popularity and accessibility is undeniable. These offer a socially distant lifeline at the click of a button – a chance to test-drive new tracks before you buy. This is where streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and Apple Music can help. Heading down to your local record shop is always one of our top recommendations, but perhaps you got hit with a positive Covid test, or maybe you're just being cautious with social interaction right now. That said, maybe you're after a selection of sounds to help you get a good night's sleep, tunes to entertain children at home or a collection of inspiring albums written in self-isolation.
Live concerts, gigs and festivals are of course to be embraced once more – the need to feel transported to somewhere more beautiful via melodies, lyrics and rhythms has rarely been felt more keenly following a challenging 20-odd months.