I tried the Radiooooo app and it blends my love for different cultures and passion for music seamlessly

Even years after their irrelevance, radios continue to be not just used but enjoyed across the globe. Yes, aspects like timely news or music streaming have moved on to better platforms. However, radios continue to have a strong hold on those who cherish the 90’s nostalgia of switching on a machine and turning the dials. 

But just because radios aren’t considered mainstream anymore, doesn’t mean they can’t still be enjoyed. There are many radio apps and platforms that fans use to stream music, or at least bring back the childhood nostalgia. Meet Radiooooo – one such app that helped me travel back to an era bygone (and also realise how fun extra vowels can be).

What is the Radiooooo app?

‘Radiooooo – The Musical Time Machine’, is a music discovery app that allows you to listen to songs across decades from around the world. The app is great for some casual listening, and great for radio lovers who like experiencing the exotic side of music.  

Here’s how you can use it, and why you definitely should!

Once you open Radiooooo, you are shown the map of the world. You simply have to choose which region you want to explore, along with choosing a decade. The app will now start bringing you playlists according to your selection. 

ALSO READ: Evolution of the radios  

You can also choose the pace or type of music you want to listen to – Slow, Fast and Weird (yes, that’s what the app developers decided to name it, and aptly so). You can also pick a combination of these categories, bringing some really interesting choices to you in a new approach you’re unlikely to see elsewhere. 

It is also the perfect app for those who value music from a time and culture different from their own, rather than just listening to the latest hits.

What did I think of Radiooooo?

This app isn’t your traditional radio transistor, it doesn’t focus on news updates or live music stations. Radiooooo did a great job of transporting me to past eras effortlessly.

The app is a community-based project, and the music is handpicked by enthusiasts. Moreover, when you’re done listening, you can also contribute to the ever-growing library of tracks and albums. 

On the top-left, there’s a shuffle button which will play random songs from random areas and eras. It helped me finish my chores with good music in the background. What bugged me, however, was the fact that you cannot skip songs on the free version (ironically, the authentic radio experience).  

As a free version user myself, I often found myself sticking with a track I didn’t want to listen to – the alternative being choosing a country and a decade all over again. However, it must be mentioned that the paid version, called Club Radiooooo, also brings other features to the table.  

ALSO READ: How gadgets have mirrored and shaped the way we listen to music 

What I liked was how the app isn’t like the other streaming platforms that I have gotten used to. It doesn’t rely on algorithms or suggest popular song choices. Radiooooo allowed me to hear carefully curated tracks from different eras, and lesser-known regions that I may have never come across otherwise.  

I could choose to listen to any decade – all the way from the 1900s till today, and even the future (yes!). You can also choose one specific future year – 2070, which is where the app will put together original compositions of today, with a vision of what future music might sound like. 

Radiooooo might not be everyone’s cup of tea; for some, the content it offers may be too niche.

How to get the Radiooooo app

This is free to use and is available for Android users on Android phones and tablets. It is also available for iPhones and iPads. You can access the app on laptops through their website – radiooooo.com as well.

The free version is perfect for someone casually wanting to explore historical music from around the world as it does offer most features from the app. However, you cannot skip songs on the free version.

ALSO READ: YouTube Music vs Spotify: Top features compared 

This app is perfect for retro music lovers, adventurous listeners, or an audiophile looking for something new. If you like exploring varied genres, or if you like learning about music from cultures around the globe, Radiooooo would be an excellent app for you to try.