Spotify Launches New Audio Feature Bringing Music Tracks & Spoken Word Together

 Spotify continues to expand and invigorate its podcast network. It was only a matter of time before Spotify leveraged its primary business --streaming music.

Last week, Spotify launched a new type of audio experience that brings together music tracks and spoken word commentary in one harmonious listening experience. 

 

 Shows in this new format will play as a combination of music tracks and talk segments, with music tracks playing as a stream that compensates the artist as any other stream does on Spotify. Listeners can explore and interact with the music in each episode much as they would in a playlist (with the ability to directly like, save, and see more information about a track without having to leave the episode page or search for it manually). 

 

 According to Spotify, this feature has been requested by listeners and musicians. Spotify is opening this new capacity to the entire creative community: making it possible for anyone to create a show in this new format using Anchor. This creation tooling is now available for Anchor users in the US, U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. This launch resolves a variety of limitations previously inherent to audio creation and distribution, making it possible for creators to leverage the power of music streaming in their talk shows.

Also launching are seven Spotify Original Shows using the new format, celebrating music in all its forms and illustrating the potential for creativity with this feature.

• Halleloo Happy Hour with DJ Shangela -  Grab a drink and join our effervescent host, "Shangela" (A Star is Born, Ru Paul's Drag Race), for her weekly happy hour playlist! Featuring games, guests, and tea. Halleloo!
• Murder Ballads - Explore the history and folklore behind some of America's most mysterious and violent songs.
• 60 Songs that Explain the 90s - The 1990s were a turning point in music. Listen along as The Ringer’s preeminent music critic Rob Harvilla curates and explores 60 iconic songs from the ‘90s that define the decade.
• Our Love Song -  Every week a couple shares the soundtrack that defines their love story. As a culture we are fascinated by love and romance. It is why the majority of songs are about love and heartbreak. This show will not only explore entertaining love stories, but also the classic songs that define these relationships.
• Conspiracy Theories: Music Edition - A deeper look at some of the most fascinating theories surrounding famous artists and the music industry as it affects the world.
• Rock This With Allison Hagendorf - Rock This with Allison Hagendorf is a weekly show celebrating all things Rock & Alternative culture, featuring one of a kind interviews and highlighting music from your favorite and emerging artists. 
• 10 Songs that Made Me - An artist or celebrity creates a storytelling playlist of 10 songs that mark meaningful moments in their lives, providing personal insights into each song choice. 

 This new feature creates an opportunity for artists to promote their latest song or their catalog and help new listeners discover their music. It also empowers music lovers with something to say about their favorite music - to make that perfect show while benefiting the artists. An evolution of mixed-media playlists like Your Daily Drive, this new audio experience is the latest step in Spotify’s innovation in the audio space.

 

 

This new feature of co-mingling music tracks with the spoken word does represent the kind of innovation that will further invigorate podcasting while simultaneously promoting streaming music.

For more information, visit Spotify’s For The Record blog HERE.