The latest updates from YouTube Music, for subscribers of its Music Premium and Premium services, include a new feature that allows users to switch seamlessly between a song and its music video for an uninterrupted experience.
It has also introduced Smart Downloads which takes the work out of downloading music, allowing users to store and play hundreds of tunes offline, automatically. YouTube Music has also announced new playlists for South Africa.
The updates all reflect features that are popular on the global leader in music streaming, Spotify, and that have been key to its growth.
YouTube said in a statement on Friday: “Imagine listening to a new track by your favourite artist in the YouTube Music app and having the ability to seamlessly switch over to watch the music video – no pauses, no interruptions, just a simple tap that keeps the music flowing. This standout new feature from YouTube Music allows YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers to make a seamless transition between a song and its music video for uninterrupted listening and/or watching. Whether you’re in the mood for listening or watching (or a little of both)… it’s all here – no app switching required.”
With Smart Downloads, YouTube Music automatically saves music at night, when connected to Wi-Fi, helping subscribers to use less mobile data, enjoy a smoother updating experience and save up to 500 songs offline using Liked Songs playlist as well as other playlists and albums.
Previously, music lovers could use the Offline Mixtape feature to download up
to 100 songs, specifically chosen for them based on what they listened to most
on the platform. Now, with Smart Downloads, they select the number of songs
they would like automatically downloaded by toggling their YouTube Music
Settings. This means YouTube Music Premium subscribers with Smart Downloads
enabled on their mobile devices can now access hundreds of tracks regardless of
connectivity.
This feature is currently available on Android, with plans to bring it to iOS in the future.
Click here to read more about YouTube Music playlists, and find out what is inside them.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration to test out these new features, YouTube Music has launched the following playlists for South African users:
These playlists show where South Africans’ musical hearts lie. Prince Kaybee is dominating the Top SA House playlist and has landed 4 tracks from his latest album, Re Mmino, in the Top Mzansi playlist. Nasty C’s SMA is the most listened to track from a South African artist in 2019 (to date) — which fans can find on the Top Tracks playlist.
The Top Afrikaans playlist features tracks from the latest albums dropped by Elandré and Speogwolf, plus hits from Jo Black and more. Joyous Celebration currently has 8 tracks on the Top SA Gospel and Soul playlist. And on the Hip Hop front, the Top SA Hip Hop playlist includes YoungstaCPT and A-Reece.
YouTube Music also has a Top AmaPiano playlist. AmaPiano is a South African electronic music sub-genre that is growing rapidly in popularity. It’s a relatively new movement in South African House music, and contains elements of Jazz and Kwaito, with soulful piano and deep house foundations. Two AmaPiano tracks feature on the Top Tracks playlist – Kokota by Kaygee DaKing, Bizizi and Killa Kau, and Shesha by Mthuda and Njelic — a firm sign of just how popular the genre is becoming.