What I miss is owning an album.

To be able to say I have all their albums.

The choosing which albums to buy, the deciding.

Spotify lets you have everything, at an insanely cheap price. For half what you used to spend on a CD you get virtually all music ever made that is worth a listen, each month.

And that means that your meagre subscription gets split amongst a lot of artists, after Spotify’s cut.

If Spotify doubled the subscription cost, and doubled the royalties, most artists would still feel ripped off.

So we need a better way, perhaps one that focusses on who your favourites are?

Current albums: Each month, on the first, you get to choose up to 5 albums as your current favourites. These are the only albums you can play more than twice, as albums, in that month. You can choose less than 5 and add others during the month

Why it works? You have anticipation and preparation for the new month. You get to share and compare your choices. And it is liking owning in the old days.

Lifetime fan: For a one-off fee, dictated by the artist, you get to listen to all of their music, and all of their future music, outside of any other limits.

Why it works? Fans can get exclusive perks. And you can call yourself a real fan.

Free albums: Any artist can have their albums provided for free, without royalties. These are outside of any limits as well.

Why it works? If you are not popular, letting people listen repeatedly and share with others can help launch you. Better than few plays and a tiny income.

Singles: Singles are free to listen to repeatedly, but only until they are available on an album. Then, once they are on an album, there are monthly limits, like maybe 10 plays.

Why it works? It is more like the radio used to be. Hear the single for free, buy the album.

Everything else: The same as the current Spotify model. Except you can’t listen to the same albums repeatedly. Or singles that are on albums repeatedly.

How does this work financially?

Minor artists get more plays if they choose the free option – because people will be less likely to play the major artists repeatedly.

All artists, big or small, have the ability to get a cash injection from signing up lifetime fans.

Major artists (who arguably make lots of money other ways, like tours) make less – increasing equality.

Subscribers get a more engaging experience.