Why is it so difficult to buy music from the iTunes store?

Where are you searching?

Open the music app on your Mac

Search (be sure that you have store selected, not your library or Apple Music)

results will have the option to purchase albums or individual tracks

Lansing70 wrote:

After searching for an album and selecting it I find no option to purchase; seems to me a simple step is entirely missing.

Yes; this is really quite poorly designed and integrated. Particularly for Apple. Swapping between the Apple Music app and the iTunes Store app (or the iTunes Store section of the macOS Apple Music app) is confusing and clumsy.

Those issues and confusions aside, there are, however, albums that are simply unavailable for purchase; are only available for streaming. I’ve looked to purchase music from a particular artist, and much (all?) of their music is unavailable for purchase.

if it is unfamiliar, how this all currently works:

Buy or download music from the iTunes Store in Music on Mac - Apple Support

Buy music from the iTunes Store on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

View your purchase history for the App Store, iTunes Store, and other Apple media services - Apple Support

Comments on this case can be sent to Apple, as well: Product Feedback - Apple