Hello, Hello! It’s issue #150 of the Spotify Newsletter!

It’s an exciting mile-marker for the world’s finest Spotify news digest. 😀

The mothership is clearly celebrating my special occasion because there has been a wealth of Spotify News crisscrossing the ‘net. And we haven’t even arrived at the Stream On event forthcoming.

— Another podcasting executive is leaving Spotify. Max Cutler most recently oversaw content partnerships. The podcasting wing of the office has been under the spotlight lately, with lots of attention aimed at ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’.

Will Joe stay, will Joe go?

We know where Neil Young stands. My gut says it’s 50/50. That is based entirely on nothing substantive whatsoever other than I won’t be surprised either way. He’s a gigantic star in the audio game, so there’s clearly many reasons for Spotify brass to keep the party going. But no doubt there might be factions who prefer he jump ship.

— Spotify is testing a new service called "token-enabled playlists," which allows holders of non-fungible tokens to connect their wallets and listen to curated music.

I am not wise when it comes to the NFT game, but I’m aware this is the way the innovative winds are blowing, so I’m not surprised to see Spotify plant its flag in this new, and exciting media universe. Something to keep an eye on.

— Personalization is certainly at the heart of Spotify’s focus, and the new DJ feature looks to be a potential big winner. The DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well that it can choose what to play for you.

— Hey, maybe they’ll bring back Stations! Most likely not, but the DJ feature at least has some connection to my beloved, now defunct Spotify Stations.

— THANK YOU for reading the newsletter! Here’s to another 150! Have a nice Friday and extra nice weekend!!

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify launches ‘DJ,’ a new feature offering personalized music with AI-powered commentary

Ahead of Spotify’s upcoming Stream On event, where the company is expected to announce a redesigned home feed and other updates, the company today launched a new AI feature called “DJ” to better personalize the music listening experience for its users. Similar to a radio DJ, Spotify’s DJ feature will deliver a curated selection of music alongside AI-powered spoken commentary about the tracks and artists you like, using what Spotify says is a “stunningly realistic voice.”

⭐️ Spotify HiFi was announced two years ago — and it still hasn’t launched

As the subscription music leader nears its latest Stream On event, we might be reaching the point of now or never for lossless audio on Spotify.

⭐️ Spotify Is Testing Token-Enabled Music Playlists

The pilot is currently only available for Android users in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

⭐️ Audio streaming unlocks people's identity and brings communities together

The digital audio age is in full swing, and streaming platforms like Spotify increasingly influence the way people engage with their passions and interests. But what does this look like in reality? Spotify teamed with Mindshare to conduct a new study showing how identity is linked to people’s audio streaming behavior.

🗣 Podcast Action 🗣

• Spotify Podcast Reorg: Max Cutler to Exit, Julie McNamara to Assume Oversight of Licensed Exclusives Including With Joe Rogan

🎧 The Playlist List 🎧

• Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ Hits One Billion Spotify Streams

• Spotify’s “Discovery Mode” explained in excruciatingly boring detail

• Find FC Barcelona Players’ Matchday Playlists Here

• A list of the weird Mix playlists Spotify makes for you - Angry Tuna? Evil?

• How Spotify is leveraging technology to benefit its most popular playlist

• India.Arie‘s Music Back On Spotify, Protest Results In Artist Pay Increase

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How To Start A Private Session On Spotify So Your Sad Girl Song Choices Stay Secret

• The 'secret' Spotify trick nobody knows about to find any song stuck in your head: 'I had no idea this existed'

🖌 Design Notes 🖌

• Spotify’s TikTok-style discovery feed may be ready for action

• Unleashing ML Innovation at Spotify with Ray

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

• Spotify’s new activist investor is keeping a close eye on podcast spending

• Spotify Chief Financial Officer to Present at the 2023 Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference

🔥 Extra News 🔥

• Take A Peek at Spotify's New Vertical Scrolling Home Screen

• As It Was by Harry Styles was the biggest single globally in 2022, according to the IFPI

• The Spotify Business Model

• Taylor Swift's love songs were played on repeat, singer becomes Spotify's most streamed artist on Valentine's Day

• Spotify Reveals Exciting Music Insights in Celebration of its 2nd Anniversary in Pakistan

• Black History Month 2023—how Apple, Nike, Spotify and other brands are celebrating

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  🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Digging Your Scene The Blow Monkeys

Bang Theory World Leader Pretend

This Time Waylon Jennings

Blasphemous Rumours - 2006 Remaster Depeche Mode

The French Inhaler - 2008 Remaster Warren Zevon

Time After Time The Parson Red Heads

Alabama Song Allison Moorer

Act Nice and Gentle The Black Keys

Take It On the Run REO Speedwagon

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀