Hello! Happy Friday. I did spend a few minutes today skipping around the new Beyonce album. I have nothing of substance to add to the merciless idolatry rained down on the masses this week as ‘Cowboy Carter’ made its triumphant debut. I like my handful of Beyonce/Destiny’s Child tunes, but the new album doesn’t exactly push me into super-fan category. Still, I sparked to a few songs across the long track list, but soon I was back to listening to Dr. Hook’s debut album. It has been a fun/interesting week as the worlds of music and pop culture have directed all energy and excitement towards Beyonce and her latest - and already wildly successful - album.

Have a nice weekend. 😀

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify to Raise Prices Later This Year: Report

The company, which is the world’s largest paid streaming service by far, will increase prices by about $1 to $2 a month in five markets — including the U.K., Australia and Pakistan — by the end of April 2024, the report claims, citing people familiar with the matter, with the U.S., its largest territory, to follow at an unspecified time later this year. Under the new pricing, individual plans will go up by about $1 a month, while family plans and so-called duo plans for couples will rise by $2.

⭐️ Spotify reuses its live audio tech through Listening Party feature

Spotify’s live audio app is no longer active, but the company has been using the tech to connect fans and artists better with the “Listening Party” feature. The feature lets high-engaging fans join events like releasing of an album by an artist with opportunities to ask them questions.

The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it has been testing this feature in the U.S. and Indonesia since December 2023 with plans to expand to more markets.

⭐️ Spotify brings its audiobooks perk for Premium users to Canada, Ireland and New Zealand

The expansion comes two months after Spotify said its audiobooks service is the second-largest audiobook provider behind Amazon-owned Audible. Spotify says users have listened to more than 150,000 titles since the free service’s launch last November.

⭐️ Spotify Names Christian Luiga CFO

Luiga will join the music streaming giant, led by CEO Daniel Ek, from European defense company Saab AB. He will be based in Sweden and have responsibility for financial planning and analysis, audit and risk, investor relations, accounting, corporate development, tax and treasury, Spotify said. The company added that it currently plans for Luiga to join in the third quarter of 2024.

▶️ Playlists ▶️

• Trump’s Spotify playlist revealed: Golden oldies, Sinead O’Connor, Rolling Stones

• Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Already Broke a Major Spotify Record

🎧 Streams 🎧

• SpongeBob-spoofer Glorb has nearly 1m listeners on Spotify

• Spotify's 1,000 Streams Royalty Limit Now In Effect

• Future And Metro Boomin’s Album Enjoys A Remarkable Spotify Debut

🎼 Spotify 4 Artists 🎼

• Spotify claims rules now in effect will shift $1B to 'Working Artists'

• Why Spotify‘s personalization features are in the marketing spotlight

• An Inside Look At Spotify’s Radar Program For Up-And-Coming Artists

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• How to Use the Spotify Desktop Miniplayer on Windows or MacOS

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

• Massive News for Spotify Investors

🔥 News 🔥

• 'Psst' Is a No-Nonsense Spotify Player

• Spotify finally launches Miniplayer for Desktop app

• Spotify Debuts EdTech as Platforms Raide Lifelong Learning Trend

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

Hyacinth House The Doors

How Long Do I Have to Wait for You? Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Roland the Roadie and Gertrude the Groupie Dr. Hook

Nothin' But A Fool GospelbeacH

Now That She's Gone Destiny's Child

Perfect Way Scritti Politti

Read My Mind The Killers

Ain't Got No Home Suzi Quatro

A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours - 2011 Remaster The Smiths

Don't Talk 10,000 Maniacs

📧 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! 😀