Review: Apple Music Is a Hot Mess With a Few Bright Spots

When Apple launched the iTunes Music Store in April 2003, it essentially started the modern era of digital music. By 2010 it was the largest music retailer in the world and services such as Napster and Kazaa were relegated to do-you-remember Buzzfeed listicles. However, as subscription-based streaming music services began to gain ground against the old buy-to-own model, Apple stayed quiet. Spotify, Tidal, whatever—Apple was still all about iTunes.

On June 30, that all changed with the introduction of Apple Music, an ambitious new combination app and service.