Hello. Happy Friday! Thanks for clicking in for issue #208 of the Spotify Newsletter.

I’m so excited for Neil! Not too shabby, especially when you consider he despises the platform.

— Neil Young will make $2M annually on Spotify after returning to streaming service post-Joe Rogan boycott

“Neil Young is set to make at least $2 million annually on Spotify after returning to the steaming service following his boycott over Joe Rogan, a well-placed industry source exclusively tells Page Six. The 78-year-old musician, who maintains nearly 6.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify, is raking in roughly $170,000 each month on streaming profits alone, we’re told.”

— Much more important to me than the new Taylor Swift album, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have announced their fourth full-length studio album, South of Here, alongside the first single, "Heartless".

Heartless Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

I love this band. I think their last two albums are two of the very best of the last decade. Excited for the new music.

— For those who drive a Tesla … Tesla’s existing native Spotify app is also getting an update. Queues across vehicles and devices and adjustable playback speed are now available.

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify plans to let subscribers speed up songs – and pay rights-holders when those modified tracks are streamed

In a bid to compete with the popularity of such modified audio on TikTok, Spotify is reportedly working on a feature that could let its users create sped-up or slowed-down versions of songs. That’s according to the Wall Street Journal, which, citing sources, reported today that Spotify hopes the plan will “appeal to young users, while generating new revenue for artists”.

⭐️ Spotify Launches Personalised AI Playlists in Beta

Spotify releases prompt-based personalised playlists for its Premium subscribers. This new tool to “fuel discovery and music curation” is currently available in beta for Android and iOS users from the UK and Australia.

⭐️ Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured Poets’ Breaks Spotify Record for Most Pre-Saved Album Countdown

The highly anticipated LP is here!

⭐️ Spotify’s lossless audio could finally arrive as part of ‘Music Pro’ add-on

After originally being known three years ago as “Spotify HiFi” and then rumored to be part of a more expensive “Supremium” subscription tier, it seems like Spotify has again pivoted on strategy.

⭐️ Spotify and Substack Partner To Bring Even More Podcasts to Listeners

Substack podcast creators globally can distribute their free and gated content to Spotify for the first time, and fans worldwide can listen to top Substack podcasts where they’re already listening to their favorite audio content. 

🗣 Podcasts 🗣

• Spotify wants to make podcasts a marketing driver for music

▶️ Playlists ▶️

• Canadian Artists Were Discovered More Than 3 Billion Times on Spotify Last Year

• NBA App unveils personalized year-in-review similar to Spotify Wrapped

🎧 Streams 🎧

• Like listening to waterfalls and birds on Spotify? Now when you play them you are helping protect them

• Spotify’s 100 ‘greatest’ modern R&B tracks have been streamed 43.2bn times

• 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'

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• Use These Spotify Settings to Make Your Favorite Songs Sound Even Better

🖌 Design 🖌

• Understanding the New Spotify Pixel

🤖 Spot(ai)fy 🤖

• Spotify's new ChatGPT-like AI prompt makes it easy to create cool playlists – here's how to use it

⚽️ Spotify FC ⚽️

• Spotify Camp Nou work on schedule as third tier pillars start to take shape

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

• Spotify stock up 63.7% this year, with more growth ahead, say analysts

🔥 News 🔥

• Will Taylor Swift’s New Album 'Tortured Poets' Break Spotify?

• Spotify finally launches Miniplayer for Desktop app

• KAROL G Teams Up With Spotify and FC Barcelona To Release Special Matchday Shirts, Merchandise Collection, and Matchday Playlist

⚡️Sponsor! ⚡️

Maximize the impact of your playlists with PlaylistRankings.com – the ultimate tool for every music curator!

📈 Performance Tracking: Stay ahead by monitoring your playlist's performance and search rankings. Watch your playlist climb to the top!
🔎 Trending Keywords: Discover keywords that boost your playlist's visibility. Be seen, be heard!
🎵 Data-Driven Song Selection: Optimize your playlist with insights on song choices that resonate with your audience.
🥇 Competitive Analysis: See how you stack up. Compare your playlists with competitors and stay one step ahead.
💡 Exclusive Insights: Access unique data you won’t find anywhere else - a true game changer in playlist curation.

Join PlaylistRankings.com today and use the code PLATFORMSTREAMS for 50% off your first month!

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

That's the Way of the World Earth, Wind & Fire

Leave a Tender Moment Alone Billy Joel

So You Think You're In Love Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians

Take Your Time (Do It Right) The S.O.S Band

Sunrise Norah Jones

You're The Best Thing The Style Council

I'm Lucky Joan Armatrading

Lady Grinning Soul - 2013 Remastered Version David Bowie

Blue Turns To Grey The Rolling Stones

What Was It You Wanted Bob Dylan

Dickey Betts – Keeper and Godfather of Southern Harmony – Has Died

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Betts family announce the peaceful passing of Forrest Richard ‘Dickey’ Betts (December 12, 1943 – April 18, 2024) at the age of 80 years old. The legendary performer, songwriter, bandleader and family patriarch was at his home in Osprey, FL., surrounded by his family. Dickey was larger than life, and his loss will be felt world-wide.

The Way Loves Goes Dickey Betts, Great Southern

Ramblin' Man Allman Brothers Band

Good Time Feeling Dickey Betts, Great Southern

Blue Sky Allman Brothers Band

📧 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! 😀