Hello and happy Friday and thanks so much clicking in to read the latest issue of the Spotify Newsletter.

The countdown is on! Spotify StreamOn is all set for March 8. The event will showcase the company's latest engagement tools designed to help music creators build new audiences.

There was a lots of top shelf news floating around this week — but I know next week’s issue is going to be overflowing with all the big announcements from the show.

As for the week we’re closing the book on…. How about that sayonora to the Heart button, and hello to the Plus button? Anyone bummed we’re losing the ♥️ for the ➕?

As noted by Spotify, this new “plus” button not only lets you save songs and podcasts to your library or other playlists but also lets you add entire albums, playlists, and audiobooks.

I’m not bothered, but I admit that the Heart really affirms my ‘like/love’ for a particular song or album. Something about the Heart icon adds the extra oomph to the experience. Again, not bothered!

Have a terrific day and super weekend!

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify is ditching the heart icon for an dual-purpose plus button

You'll be able to save songs and add them to playlists with the same button.

⭐️ The Weeknd Becomes First Artist to Hit This Spotify Milestone

The Canadian crooner's accomplishment comes days after he released his "Die for You" remix with Ariana Grande.

⭐️ Spotify Launches ‘R&B First Nights’ Campaign, Featuring Live Shows by Victoria Monét & FLO

As part of R&B First Nights, Spotify will support four R&B up-and-comers’ live shows in U.S. cities, and invite their superfans to attend.

⭐️ Did Spotify kill the album box set?

Musicians and studios put loads of time and money into special edition commemorative releases, most of which will never be experienced by listeners.

🗣 Podcast Action 🗣

• Spotify announces the launch of “Dream Build Scale"

🎧 The Playlist List 🎧

• Spotify's AI DJ Wants to Be Your Favorite Radio Station

• How Listening to Audio Creates a Full Mind-Body Experience—And Good Vibes

• Bien is Kenya’s most followed artist on Spotify

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How to turn off auto mix on Spotify

• Windows 11 adds Spotify to its widgets board

• How to stream Spotify music to the HomePod 2

• Too Lost Directly Integrates Spotify’s Discovery Mode as an Artist Opt-In — If You Choose to Accept It

🖌 Design Notes 🖌

• Navigating the Discovery Phase

• Build a Music Search Application With React and Spotify API

• Spotify upgrades one important feature in the latest update

🚘 Vrooom 🚘

• VW’s software unit Cariad launches app store to bring Spotify, Tiktok and hundreds more to vehicles

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

• Spotify Says Payments Choice Critical to Growing Global Streaming Market Share

• Why Spotify Is One of My Favorite Stocks

🔥 Extra News 🔥

• EU says Apple breached antitrust law in Spotify case, but final ruling yet to come

• Spotify's AI DJ Wants to Be Your Favorite Radio Station

• Spotify’s UNCF Scholarship Awardees Are Ready To Make Their Mark

• How do Spotify royalties work?

• Drake Wants Artists to ‘Get Bonuses Like Athletes’ When They Reach Spotify Streaming Milestones

• The ChatGPT Method Meta And Spotify Use To Enrich Customer Experience 

• Spotify streams of Proclaimers hit 500 miles generates £3m revenue boost

• My Music Row Story: Spotify's Brittany Schaffer 

•  What do Spotify DJ & YouTube's Radio Builder mean for broadcast radio?

• WiiM Pro Network Player Supports TIDAL and Spotify Connect

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Personal Jesus Johnny Cash

In Need of Repair Band of Horses

Hello City - Live Barenaked Ladies

Down in the Boondocks Ry Cooder

Go Easy Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Love Fire Simply Red

The Bullfighter Luke Bell

(My Heart Is) Closed For The Season Bettye Swann

Hey Mama Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

Blue Canoe Blue Mountain

Wayne Shorter, Innovator During an Era of Change in Jazz, Dies at 89

Aja Steely Dan

Speak No Evil - Remastered 1998 / Rudy Van Gelder Edition Wayne Shorter

The Sorcerer (feat. Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter & Tony Williams) Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams

📧 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! 😀