Spotify quietly moves lyrics behind a paywall

Spotify has apparently found a new way to push its free users to a paid subscription: It’s putting lyrics behind a paywall. Following various reports citing frustrated posts from users on Reddit, the company is quietly confirming the change — but without a direct statement.

Instead, the company told TechCrunch simply that Spotify’s features can vary over time, between markets and across devices. The response indicates the change to lyrics may be more than just a test but that Spotify isn’t yet prepared to make an official announcement about affected markets.

SoundCloud takes on Spotify’s Discover Weekly feature with new ‘Buzzing Playlists’

SoundCloud has launched a new set of playlists under the “Buzzing Playlists” moniker to highlight up-and-coming tracks from artists.

There are playlists for pop, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music, and they feature tracks from artists who are part of SoundCloud’s Next Pro paid subscription program. SoundCloud said it looks at signals like repeat plays, playlist adds, likes, comments, and reposts to add tracks to Buzzing Playlists, which are updated every week.

Ircam Amplify Unveils New Software to Identify AI-generated Tracks

Ircam Amplify, a global leader in technology solutions that analyse, process and edit audio, today launches its innovative AI-Generated Detector tool to empower record labels, publishers, performing rights and collective management organisations, distributors, streaming platforms and download stores to accurately identify AI-generated music.

Volumio Motivo Brings Italian Design To Music Streaming Technology

Based in beautiful Florence, Volumio claims its products are “For music lovers, by music lovers.” They aren’t joking, either. The Motivo is a streamer and headphone amplifier made with audiophiles in mind. And Volumio claims it sounds as good as it looks.

With its 8-inch touchscreen and tactile red control knob, the Motivo aims to make music streaming a more immersive experience. The Motivo has the software and hardware connectivity necessary for it to work with every music streaming service and can integrate with any home entertainment system or headphones.

Why AI Tools are Essential for Music Businesses

Technology has always been at the forefront of the music industry, but its influence has become stronger in recent years. You’re probably no stranger to the emergence of AI, right? Chat GPT4 certainly caught the world’s attention. 

John Lennon’s ‘Mind Games’ gets meditative remixes through Lumenate partnership

Lumenate uses the smartphone flashlight to create special light sequences that flicker at specific frequencies. These frequencies are said to nudge the brain into a state between deep meditation and psychedelic experiences. Each of the nine Mind Games mixes is paired with a unique light sequence.

Radio’s Importance According to will.i.am — “The Format Is America’s Stage”

“I just don’t wanna write-off radio as like, it’s old school,” will.i.am says. “It’s a very important vein into the pulse from TikTok to streaming to what’s being enjoyed in the real world. We saw that with COVID and the drop in real data when no one was going to restaurants, malls, no one was in cabs. We saw a real huge dip in streaming numbers because of that type of airplay—no one has selected to listen to something.”

Global electronic music business was worth $11.8bn in 2023

This week’s IMS Ibiza summit is taking place as ever alongside the release of its annual IMS Business Report.

Beatport president Matt Gralen talks revenue growth, downloads and reaching a new generation of DJs

“We have revenue in almost every country around the world. But what I'd say is that we're focused on more intentional investment into emerging markets, and into markets that maybe we just historically haven't focused as much on. So our biggest market is the US, behind that the UK and Germany are number two, number three.

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