‘More meaningful connections’: will Spotify’s updates mean a proper payday for artists?
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/16/more-meaningful-connections-will-spotifys-updates-mean-a-proper-payday-for-artists
The biggest ever update to Spotify’s app is set to bring artists and fans closer together. But given the platform’s longstanding lean-back experience, has the horse already bolted?
Since its inception, Spotify has drawn criticism for helping to turn music from a cherished commodity into a utility. Critics argue that its all-you-can-eat monthly subscription doesn’t encourage long-term engagement, while its uniform, blank presentation of an artist’s catalogue reveals little of the hard work or distinct narrative behind any given release: the platform didn’t display songwriting and production credits until 2018, 12 years after launch.