Hello and thanks for reading the latest issue of the Spotify Newsletter. The penultimate edition before we celebrate the big 100.

Regarding the latest news, let me quickly note that I’m happy Spotify is not disabling access to its service within Russia despite their decision to close their offices.

I’m opposed to the war, and I’m equally opposed to people suddenly thinking we should hide all the Dostoevsky books and throw away Russian Vodka. That type of thinking is too silly, too ignorant to waste any further time worrying about.

This week served up a nice bundle of news about the streaming behemoth, so let’s dive in a take a look!

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify Shutters Russia Office, Removes All RT and Sputnik Content

The company is not disabling access to its service within Russia. “We think it’s critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to allow for the global flow of information,” a Spotify representative said.

⭐️ Spotify's testing a floating button for easy playlist management

The company loves keeping its app fresh with tweaks to functionality and design changes, like we've seen recently with its revamped mini-player UI and work towards a music video feature similar to TikTok. A couple new ones have just started showing up in testing, including a floating action button (FAB) that lets users create a new playlist or blend, and a swipe-to-queue feature.

⭐️ Spotify’s Ek Builds ‘Insane’ $1 Billion Bet on Early Tech

His year-old investment firm focuses on European startups. Early investments include H2 Green Steel, Germany’s Helsing

⭐️ The State of Indie Music, According to Spotify’s Editors

One of the characteristics that gives indie its wide-ranging appeal is its ability to embrace a variety of sounds, moods, and geographies in ways that few other genres can.

🗣Podcast Action🗣

How Spotify may have just quietly changed podcasts forever

Spotify and Fox Cut a Deal

🎧The Playlist List🎧

Spotify rebrands flagship K-Pop playlist to K-Pop ON!

Spotify will consider super short songs for playlisting after super short song protest

Sauti Sol, Nviiri, Top Charts as Spotify Celebrates One Year in Kenya

🖌Design Notes🖌

Spotify’s iOS-exclusive Swipe to Queue gesture finally rolls out on Android

🔥Even More Hot News Links🔥

Spotify Marquee opens to more artists: How to make it work for you

Kanye West Sees Massive Jump In Spotify Numbers

We'll take more local creators to global stage: Spotify India head

Spotify celebrates one year in T&T with Carnival and Massive Soca Hits

Spotify’s Progress Toward Racial Equity

🎵New Adventures in Spotify🎵

After The Flood Lone Justice

Tell Me When My Light Turns Green - 2000 Remaster Dexys Midnight Runners

A Little Time The Beautiful South

Broken Hearted Blues T. Rex

A Lucky Guy Rickie Lee Jones

My Deceiving Heart The Impressions

Love Vigilantes - 2015 Remaster New Order

Too Late Now Shirley Bassey

Country Girl B.B. King

Hope I'm Around Todd Rundgren

Have a Nice Weekend! 😀