Although Spotify is my music platform of choice, I do enjoy what Apple Music has to offer. Last summer I signed up to Apple’s music service for the first time, and I’m testing the waters once again — mainly to make the most of Dolby Atmos-supported listening.
I’ve been using Apple Music on and off for the past couple of weeks after signing up for one of its latest deals, and as soon as I logged back in, I immediately started making a playlist centered around essential Dolby Atmos listening. The best part about my brief return to Apple Music is that I’ve had enough time away to really notice and appreciate the way my favorite records sound in Dolby Atmos compared to Spotify Lossless.
Then it got me thinking, which Dolby Atmos albums would I recommend to new Apple Music members? There are five supported records I’ve had on constant repeat lately because, when I compare listening to them on Spotify Lossless, Apple Music is the clear winner.
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Don’t know where to start? Here are my top Dolby Atmos album picks.
Homogenic, Björk
I knew that Björk would make the list, but selecting just one album was almost an impossible job. I was torn between the earthiness of Debut and the urban Post, but as far as electronic albums go, Homogenic is the one that truly shines in Dolby Atmos.
I first got into Björk around 10 years ago and have been listening to Homogenic ever since, but it’s only now that I’ve started picking up on elements I never knew lurked between the layers of each song. Not only that, the album’s orchestral components don’t get lost in the thick cyber forest. Instead, they come front and center just where they belong — balancing perfectly with the album’s electronic core.
3D Country, Geese
Although Getting Killed would’ve been a solid choice, Geese’s album 3D Country is incredibly dynamic, and one that I’ve been listening to non-stop. It’s a fun album to listen to if the blend of indie alternative, rock 'n roll, country, and blues intrigues you.
It sounds like an overstuffed concoction on paper, but listening in Dolby Atmos really allows you to pick out the influences one by one, and then throw them all back together. One of the best parts about the listening experience is getting to hear Cameron Winter’s vocals in all their robustness, which does wonders for showing off his vocal control.
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Chappell Roan
Of course, I had to throw in a pop album, and Chappell Roan’s 2023 album is the record I’ve noticed the biggest differences with when listening to it in Dolby Atmos form — the main ones being its punchier bass and synth clarity.
However, like 3D Country, this is another album where the vocals are one of the stars of the show. Chappell has a voice that really works for a pop vocal album like this, but you don’t notice how polished her sound is and how much vocal layering she does until you stream it on Apple Music. As far as pop albums go, this one sits at the top when it comes to essential Dolby Atmos listening.
Grace, Jeff Buckley
Every time I listen to Grace by Jeff Buckley, it sends shivers down my spine and fills my eyes with tears, so naturally it had to be included. If you thought that his raw voice and acoustic instrumentals were hard-hitting, just wait until you press play on the title track in Dolby Atmos.
Buckley’s musicianship is spotlighted in every isolated guitar pluck, which will make you realize just how many different types of guitars he uses in a single song, let alone the whole album.
Orquídeas, Kali Uchis
If you’re looking for an album with rich production to kick-start your Apple Music/ Dolby Atmos experience, allow me to point you to Kali Uchis’ Orquídeas, a Spanish-language record that explores reggaeton, R&B, and funk in all its glory.
This is another album that’s packed with influences, but again, it doesn’t feel stuffy in Dolby Atmos. If anything, its groovy rhythms, underwater-sounding acoustics, and seductive trap beats are balanced perfectly. One doesn’t overpower the other, and the echo of her angelic vocals is the cherry on top.
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