Hello! Thanks for reading the latest issue of the Spotify Newsletter!

My interest in the Duchess of Sussex and her hubby is a resounding zero. But she does have this new Spotify podcast forthcoming - on the heels of their obscene, overpaid deal with the audio giant.

Well, it’s coming to the airwaves one way or another, so I did clutter today’s news rundown with a humorous note about her desire to trademark a specific word. It’s ridiculous, totally on-brand and worth a look (I guess).

In other news, three democrats in Congress with plenty of time on their hands are unhappy with Spotify over the company’s policy of promoting an artist’s music on its Discovery Mode platform in exchange for a reduced royalty rate. Nobody tell Neil Young, he might threaten to add his music back and take it off all over again.

After a few paragraphs of describing the over-baked outrage coming from our elected officials, Variety does everyone a favor and adds…

To be fair, the program is essentially no different from traditional brick-and-mortar promotional campaigns whereby record companies pay retailers for premium store-display placement for their CDs and vinyl; and unlike those programs, Spotify is at least upfront about the advance-royalty-payment aspect of Discovery Mode. The company emphasizes that the program requires no up-front costs, although it is still a method whereby artists or labels pay for better placement, with hit-or-miss results.

At least the author showed the bravery to ‘be fair.’ 😀

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify is testing a way to promote popular user-created playlists

Spotify is testing a new “Featured Curators” feature that promotes popular user playlists alongside its official Spotify playlists, the company announced on Monday. The new feature is part of a limited-time test that is designed to amplify the playlists that users create on Spotify. The feature is also a way for listeners to discover more music on the platform.

⭐️ Spotify’s Car Thing Device Debuts New Features

With these updates, you’ll now be able to answer phone calls on Car Thing, queue songs and podcasts, and display and control other media. Car Thing also connects to and now mirrors your phone, giving you access to more functionality.

⭐️ Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’ Breaks Spotify Single-Day Streaming Record

Spotify confirmed that "As It Was" is now the most-streamed song in the United States in a single day.

⭐️ Parcast Union Reaches Tentative Deal on First Contract With Management, Spotify

The agreement seemingly averts a threatened strike, but now the bargaining unit and the Writers Guild of America, East Council must approve its terms.

⭐️ FC Barcelona Members Overwhelmingly Approve ‘At Least’ 12-Season Sponsorship Deal With Spotify

The Barcelona Members Assembly has officially ratified the multiyear pact.

The audio-entertainment platform relayed that the 123-year-old soccer club (known colloquially as Barça) would rename its famed stadium Spotify Camp Nou – provided that members signed off on the plans.

🗣 Podcast Action 🗣

‘Batman Unburied’ Podcast Premiere Date Set at Spotify, to Be Available in Nine Languages

Meghan Markle tries to trademark everyday word for Spotify podcast title despite it being around for 100s of years

🎧 The Playlist List 🎧

Spotify Obscurity Rating: How To See How Obscure Your Music Tastes Are

Your Spotify Workout Playlist Could Sound Even Better

🖌 Design Notes 🖌

Spotify UX Writing Questions Answered

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

What These 2 Charts Can Teach You About Spotify

🔥 Even More Hot News Links 🔥

Spotify personalizes audio experiences with machine learning

How To Drive With Spotify and Waze

Despite Low Ratings, The Grammys Delivery A Spotify Bump

Members of Congress Slam Daniel Ek and Spotify Over ‘Troubling’ Discovery Mode Policy

Ed Sheeran Wins Court Battle Over Claims He Plagiarized 'Shape Of You,' Spotify's Most-Streamed Song

Spotify Celebrates 'I KNOW NIGO' Release with Merch Giveaway

📱 Random Post From @Spotify 📱

Spotify Charts @spotifycharts

.@Harry_Styles’ “As It Was” debuts at #1 and becomes Spotify’s most-streamed song in a single day in 2022 so far 👏 (April 1-3, 2022) #SpotifyCharts

April 4th 2022

3,154 Retweets15,323 Likes

🎵 New Adventures in Spotify 🎵

Tell Mama Etta James

New Pony Bob Dylan

Money's Too Tight (To Mention) Simply Red

Right Now, Right Now Al Green

Rockferry Duffy

Catamaran Allah-Las

Love In Mind Cowboy Junkies

Lay It Down The Everly Brothers

One Thing Leads To Another The Fixx

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me (Jeff) at hi@spotifynewsletter.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀