We’re all looking for the best ways to listen to our favorite songs and artists… but which online music service fits you like snug ear mitts? We here at Wibki have been researching dozens of online music services to bring you the top of the top. Still using iTunes? Get with the times! Make sure to save the list in your Wibki profile so you can come back to it when you want to try something new.

One more Thing…

I know you didn’t intend to read this list quietly so I took care of the background groove… Press the ‘play’ button.

Started From the Bottom: SoundCloud

You might have been introduced to SoundCloud as a link to your friend’s new basement attempt at hip-hop. SoundCloud was originally the home to starving artists looking to get their tracks heard. Now with over 40 million registered users mainstream acts are getting involved, uploading their radio hits and smash albums for added exposure. SoundCloud also features some top-notch podcasts to go along with their music offerings. Because most of the content is uploaded by independent artists, you are sure to find unique remixes and original songs you won’t hear on any other online music service.

For the Office: Grooveshark

There is no better online music streaming service to put a spark in your workday than Grooveshark. The format is centered around the playlist queue which runs at the bottom of the screen. You can drag and drop, arrange and orchestrate awesome playlists to share with the Grooveshark community. And on the flip side, you can check out popular playlists from around the world to add some international flavor to your music palette. Grooveshark also makes smart recommendations based on your listening patterns (the display looks a bit like Netflix’s browse menu). I love Grooveshark because it’s easy to listen to albums in their entirety.

Comeback Kid: MySpace Music

MySpace has reinvented itself from social media hub into a content-driven powerhouse. With music and other media fields, MySpace brings you closer than ever to your favorite artists. The Myspace designers are putting their big funding to good use; the service also includes news, videos, and features galore. Check out “Five minutes to the stage” to see how the freshest artists in the industry prepare for a show. Or, get yourself ready for Coachella with writeups and guides for the 2014 lineup. If you’re one of the millions who gave up on Tom and friends when Facebook reared its head, it’s time to give MySpace another look.

Best Served With Popcorn: Qello

Wish you were around to see one of the Grateful Dead’s legendary shows? Or behold Freddie Mercury’s breath-taking performances? Qello gets you front row seats for the greatest concert films for free. If you’re looking for backstage stories from the artists, you can browse their library of documentaries and biographies. The only thing missing is…more! Qello’s collection is not comprehensive, but they are a new online music service, so we’ll cut them some slack.

Feelin Moody: Stereomood

What’s the sound texture of this moment? Stereomood can match the swag in your step to a list of curated songs. You probably won’t be familiar with most of the artists on their playlists, which works for some people and not for others. But whether or not you know them, you will like them. Great for those who want to be the first of their friends to listen to an artist. Any mood (or adjective) you can think of comes with a smart playlist. Who would have thought there is a playlist for feeling “Lost in thought”? Stereomood is best paired with another activity–the perfect background groove.

Power to the People: thesixtyone

Aren’t we all a bit sick of mainstream radio? At thesixtyone the listeners sort out the best from the rest. During the preset playlist, you can read interesting textual tidbits written by the artists  about their song, their style, or whatever is on their minds! Your feedback on the song gets fed back into thesixtyone’s algorithms to improve everyone’s listening experience. This online music service is an indie paradise; upcoming artists with a voice to share–Big Labels beware! Aside from a cool listening format, thesixtyone also provides a fair revenue sharing model for the contributing artists.

Skinny Jeans and Flannel: Hype Machine

Hype Machine is for those who want to be in the conversation. A veritable feast of hip music, Hype Machine tracks over 800 blogs from around the world and presents an updating list of popular, up-to-the-minute-fashionable songs. At Hype you can find a nice blend of indie and pop; Chromeo and Youth Lagoon, to Drake and Lana Del Rey. They feature the 2013 Zeitgeist–the year’s top 50 list of the most influential songs on the site. And if you’re feeling nostalgic, head over to their Zeitgeist lists from years past. Bound to blow your speakers off and introduce you to your new favorite artist, Hype Machine has a sound byte for all.