Tag: editors

From Country Roads to Football Anthems, These Are Spotify’s 2026 Songs of Summer

September 3, 2026

The text "2026 Songs of Summer Revealed" stamped on a postcard with beach-themed graphics. The postcard appears in front of a sunset sky

Since the temperature started creeping up this summer, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the songs that would come to embody the season. Our editors made their predictions in May, we shared an update in July, and now the time has come to share the final results. These are Spotify’s 2026 Songs of Summer: the five tracks that defined the season across the Northern Hemisphere. Our global team of music editors made their selections by weighing streaming data, cultural impact, and their own editorial expertise.

And the list comes from all over the map. We saw listeners lean into Ella Langley’s instant country classic, while others could attest to the undeniable pull of a Sam Fender and Olivia Dean collab. Meanwhile, Shakira and Burna Boy partnered for a global crossover, Yung Miami delivered late-night party energy, and Ariana Grande gave us one of the season’s defining pop hits.

Below, take a closer look at the five tracks that defined the sound of summer 2026. And since they’re all winners in our book, these are listed alphabetically by artist first name.

“hate that i made you love me” by Ariana Grande

Fueled by her Eternal Sunshine Tour, Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me” became an instant summer staple with its polished, emotionally charged pop.

The track debuted at No. 1 on our Global Chart on May 29 and went on to spend 22 days at the top spot and 89 days in the Global Top 10. It ultimately became the most-streamed song of the season on Spotify—helping Ariana reach the milestone of 100 million monthly listeners this August.

“Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” had all the makings of a summer hit before the season even began, pairing a laid-back country sound with heartbreak-inflected lyrics.

The song reached No. 1 in the U.S. and enjoyed a record-breaking run, spending 70 days at the top. But perhaps most striking was its international reach: “Choosin’ Texas” spent 98 days on Spotify’s Global Top 50. And in the U.K., the distinctly American track helped solidify a growing country music trend, becoming one of the most-streamed songs there this summer.

“Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean

In the U.K. and Ireland, this summer belonged to Sam Fender and Olivia Dean. Their collaboration “Rein Me In” delivered a historic run, spending 75 days at No. 1 in both countries.

With its soaring vocals and singalong chorus, the track became a festival favorite. A standout live performance from Olivia and Sam on one of the summer’s biggest stages added to its momentum, helping the song reach No. 63 on our Global Chart on August 7.

“Dai Dai” by Shakira and Burna Boy

As the official song of the world’s biggest soccer tournament, “Dai Dai” brought its Latin and Afrobeats roots to center stage. It spent 37 days at No. 1 on our Global Charts and reached the top spot in 17 countries, including Switzerland, Germany, and Portugal.

Its biggest streaming day came on July 20, the day after the tournament final, and it was also the most-streamed music video of the season. The song’s success helped Burna Boy’s listenership nearly double over the summer, while Shakira crossed 100 million listeners in July—adding another chapter to her history of beloved soccer anthems.

“Spend Dat” by Yung Miami

Yung Miami of hip-hop duo City Girls made a major solo breakthrough with “Spend Dat.” Its ultra-sticky hook was a natural fit for party playlists, and helped turn the song into one of the season’s biggest hip-hop tracks.

Backed by a viral social media dance, daily streams of the track surged over 200% over the course of the summer, peaking globally on July 25. Yung Miami’s monthly audience itself nearly quadrupled, growing from 1.6 million in May to 6.3 million in August.


Stream the full playlist featuring our original predictions below, then dive deeper into Songs of Summer 2026 with more insights from our editors.

Spotify Gets More Personal With Playlist Notes

August 17, 2026

various Spotify playlist covers with an example of a playlist note from a music editor

A great playlist does more than line up songs: it sets a mood, reflects a point of view, tells a story.

We keep giving playlist makers more ways to tell that story, from custom cover art and playlist descriptions to tools for customizing transitions between tracks. Today, we’re introducing Playlist Notes, a new way to add your thoughts and context right inside the playlists you make.

Our globe-spanning team of editors will use this new feature—which grew out of a concept called User Notes—to share the thinking behind their picks on some of Spotify’s biggest playlists, while listeners can add their own notes to playlists they create or collaborate on.

Go behind the picks with Spotify’s editors

With Playlist Notes, editors share why a track matters, what makes it culturally relevant, or why it belongs in that particular playlist. You can also get to know the people behind the playlists through Editor Profiles. Each profile features an editor’s top tracks and albums, along with the playlists they contribute to.

Playlist Notes from editors and Editor Profiles are currently rolling out to Free and Premium users ages 16 and older in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. To start, you’ll find notes in Today’s Top Hits, RapCaviar, Hot Country, All New Pop, mint, and Fresh Finds Hip-Hop.

Tap Notes at the top of participating playlists to start exploring. To visit an Editor Profile, tap an editor’s name alongside a note or at the top of the playlist.

You’ll also see notes in Now Playing, even when you’re listening to a song outside the playlist where the note originated.

Spotify's Today Top Hits playlist with an example of a playlist note from one of the editors

Bring more of yourself to your playlists

Of course, our editors aren’t the only ones with stories to tell. On mobile, you can add your own notes to the tracks, podcast episodes, and audiobooks you’ve added to your playlists. Capture a memory, share a recommendation, or explain why a pick made the cut.

Anyone who can view your playlist can also see your notes, with your name linking to your profile. Playlist Notes, like everything shared on Spotify, must follow our Platform Rules and Terms of Use.

How to add a note to one of your playlists on Spotify: Tap the three dots next to a track, select "add note," write your note and tap "save," then your note will appear below the track

How to add a note

Playlist Notes on user-curated playlists are currently rolling out on iOS and Android in more than 100 markets globally. Availability may differ from editors’ Playlist Notes.

    1. Open a playlist you own or collaborate on. 
    2. Tap the three dots (…) next to a track, podcast episode, or audiobook you’ve added to the playlist.
    3. Select Add note.
    4. Enter your note, then tap Save.

From the way songs flow together to the stories behind each pick, your playlists just got more personal. Update your app to get the latest features as they roll out.

Spotify’s Editors Pick Their Best Podcasts of the Year (So Far)

July 16, 2025

"best podcasts of the year so far: 2025" copy over a pink background

Spotify’s podcast editorial team is always on the hunt for shows and episodes that spark conversation, push boundaries, and keep us coming back for more. As 2025 hits its halfway mark, our editors have curated their picks for the year’s standout podcasts so far—spanning celebrity-driven interviews, deep-dive investigations, true crime, comedy, and the best in film and TV commentary.

“It would be impossible to overlook all the famous faces on our ‘Best New Podcasts of 2025 (So Far)’ list. From Michelle Obama’s heartfelt real talk on IMO to Amy Poehler’s star-studded hangouts (did we mention Kylie Kelce and the Living Single ladies also made the cut?), shows hosted by megawatt talent have definitely stepped up their game this year,” said Rachel Selvin, Editorial and Audience Development Manager, Spotify. “But even with all the buzz around viral celebrity moments, the old rules of podcasting still hold true: A great investigation usually equals a great show. That’s why half of our picks focus on a single issue, unspooling it in all its complexity through a compassionate lens.”

From breakout new series to unforgettable episodes, here’s what topped our editors’ lists for 2025 (so far):

Best New Podcasts of 2025 (So Far)

Best Episodes of 2025 (So Far)

Best True Crime of 2025 (So Far)

Funniest Episodes of 2025 (So Far)

Best Movies of 2025 (So Far)

Best TV of 2025 (So Far)

Explore the Best of the Year (So Far) hub on Spotify to find your next favorite show or episode.

Spotify’s Editors Pick Their Best Songs of the Year (So Far)

June 30, 2025

When it comes to new music, Spotify’s team of editors across North America is always on the hunt for songs that make them feel, think, and move. They’re at the forefront of new trends around the world, working to uncover new genres and introduce listeners to emerging artists. And though 2025 is only just heating up, they’ve been hard at work to help fans discover the best of the best.  

Now, we’re excited to reveal Editors’ Picks: Best Songs of the Year (So Far), a genre-spanning playlist of the 50 standout tracks that caught our editors’ attention. As they narrowed the list down, they considered tracks with exceptional songwriting, musicality, uniqueness, and cultural impact. 

The Editorial Watch Feed, which first appeared in our playlist alongside our year-end list in 2024, is also back, allowing our editors to share their expertise with fans directly. Providing dynamic insights into every song on the list, our in-house experts break down the qualities that make their picks great.

“Our Editors’ Picks playlist isn’t about what’s trending—it’s about the tracks that stood out for all the right reasons,” said Sulinna Ong, Spotify’s Global Head of Editorial. “Our music editors dug deeper to spotlight songs that intrigued us; sonically, culturally, or through exceptional songwriting. From the comeback of trip hop and dreamy indie-folk anthems to modern R&B staples, hard-hitting hip-hop, and genre-blending Latin tracks, each selection reflects the depth and range of the music that resonated with us. It’s a playlist shaped by real human editorial perspective, and we hope listeners find something meaningful in it.”

 

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Curious who made the cut? Here are our editors’ picks for the best songs of 2025 so far. 

Addison Rae – “Headphones On”
After – “300 Dreams”
Baby Nova – “Too Pretty For Buffalo”
Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
Balu Brigada – “Backseat”
Bon Iver – “There’s A Rhythmn”
CA7RIEL, Paco Amoroso – “IMPOSTOR”
Cameron Winter – “Love Takes Miles”
Central Cee, 21 Savage – “GBP”
chloe moriondo – “shoreline”
Chloe Qisha – “21st Century Cool Girl”
Clipse, Pusha T, Malice – “Ace Trumpets”
Dasha – “Not at This Party”
Ecca Vandal – “CRUISING TO SELF SOOTHE”
Erika de Casier – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
Ethel Cain – “Nettles”
Fontaines DC – “Before You I Just Forget”
Four Tet – “Into Dust (Still Falling)”
Fridayy, Meek Mill – “Proud of Me”
Girl Group – “Yay Saturday”
GIVEON – “TWENTIES”
Hannah Cohen – “Earthstar”
Jaze, Caloncho – “pensé en ti”
Kehlani – “Folded”
Khamari – “Head in A Jar”
kwn – “back of the club”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist – “Life Is Beautiful”
Leon Thomas – “NOT FAIR”
Leon Vynehall, Beau Nox – “Cruel Love”
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Thelma & James – “Happy Ever After You”
Mariah the Scientist – “Burning Blue”
Mei Semones – “Animaru”
Miley Cyrus – “End of the World”
Model/Actriz – “Diva”
MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea – “Shake It To The Max (FLY) (Remix)”
Nathaniel Rateliff, Gregory Alan Isakov – “Flowers”
Obongjayar – “Sweet Danger”
PLUTO, YKNIECE – “WHIM WHAMIEE”
Rema – “Baby (Is It A Crime)”
Robert Randolph, Judith Hill – “When Will The Love Rain Down”
rusowsky – “malibU”
Sam Barber – “Man of the Year”
Sammy Virji – “I Guess We’re Not The Same”
Saya Gray – “..THUS IS WHY (I DON’T SPRING 4 LOVE)”
sombr – “undressed”
The Marias – “Back To Me”
Turnpike Troubadours – “On The Red River”
Turnstile – “LOOK OUT FOR ME”
Wednesday – “Elderberry Wine”

Press play below to hear all of our top songs of the year so far:

The State of Dance Music, According to Spotify Editors

July 7, 2021

Spotify’s mint playlist is home to the world’s biggest dance hits, with songs that fall under the genre’s many subcategories, including house, techno, electronica, EDM, U.K. garage, and disco. But even though you’ve likely heard dance songs, this vast genre may still be a bit of an enigma. The best people to dispel some myths and mysteries? Spotify’s global team of dance music editors. 

Our editors make up our Global Curation Groups, or GCG’s. As the name suggests, they sit in offices around the world, and they’re in the know on the content that listeners are streaming the most, the new tracks that are about to break, and the trends that come out of these listening habits. Plus, they’re genre experts—as well as fans themselves—who thrive on deep cultural discussions about the music they curate. 

For the Record spoke to the dance GCG about the trends they’re seeing and some of their predictions for the genre this year.

1. Dance music is global.

Dance has roots everywhere, as well as distinct regional genres. Over the past few years, AmaPiano in South Africa has grown, as has Brazilian bass in South America. Russian rave is also having a moment, with more and more artists finding their way to Spotify. We also recently leased an Italo Disco playlist. “It’s just a time for exploration and expansion for the dance base. We’re all going to dance to it at a festival this or next year.”  

2. We’re going to see a rise in dance music this year.

Our editors predict that as everyone comes out from being holed up during the pandemic, dance music will gain even more momentum across its many diverse genres. There’s already been a rise in exploration and innovation in the space, from house to dance pop to slap house. “As listeners head back to the clubs and producers are able to tour again, expect even more noise.”

3. There’s going to be a resurgence in underground and bedroom production.

Indie production has already been on the rise with producers like U.K. artist Fred again.. His collaboration with The Blessed Madonna, single “Marea (We Lost Dancing),” held at the Top 100 for a handful of weeks. This strengthening voice of the underground is reminiscent of the 2014–2016 dance heyday, where EDM producers broke from the internet to conquer the pop charts. Not only is this a testament to the dance renaissance taking place today, but it also  signals how mainstream listeners’ palettes are evolving and adapting to more mature sonics. “We’re seeing a renaissance in the attention that’s paid to the genre, and it’s changing the sound a little.”

4. EDM isn’t dead.

EDM isn’t dead, but it has moved into a dance category that can best be described as “nostalgic.” And this nostalgic audience is fiercely loyal, with a continuing appetite. The dance editorial team built a playlist called Headliners, full of the EDM heyday artists—Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Alesso—after seeing a resurgence in plays among those legacy producers. “We created a genre flagship called EDM, and within a week of launch, it was hovering at 8,000 listeners and the skip rate was ridiculously low. It just shows that the pulse is there, and the audience is there.” 

5. Virality is playing a big part in the future of the genre.

It took the classic dance genre dubstep 10 years to travel to the U.S. after its inception in the U.K. Now, trends come and go a lot more quickly, thanks to the power of the internet and to streaming. The sea shanty trend was big for dance artists, and when the Australian dance group Shouse’s “Love Tonight” got picked up by David Guetta, it went viral for a whole new generation of listeners.  

6. Covers have always been big in dance music. Now, they’re helping to break newer genres.

Tropical house covers were a breakthrough point in German dance pop history in the 2010s. Now, covers are happening again, this time with slap house—whether they’re of a Whitney Houston classic, a ’90s eurodance track, or a song that’s just three years old. These covers, which are in the style of the breakout genre, are now helping that genre gain footing in the mainstream, just as classic house sampling disco did. 

7. Pop is adopting dance—and fans can too.

Dance is getting a new group of followers: pop fans. What our editors call “dance pop” is presenting itself in the work of pop stars like Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, Lady Gaga, and Raye. “Pop is co-opting dance, just like we saw it do last year with disco. Pop artists don’t realize how much of the dance genre it’s taking for itself, but that’s the hit element of pop—the dance strokes are the uplifting aspect.”

If you’re a pop fan who’s interested in diving into dance, the team recommends a new playlist called crying on the dance floor. “We’re experimenting a little bit with crafting spaces that are more approachable. They’re not as genre focused as melodic house or acid techno, which can be pretty daunting for someone who has no idea what they’re looking for. We’re seeing a lot of crossover between indie and dance, and a lot of crossover between pop and dance. I think that a lot of users don’t realize that they’re listening to dance music.”

Get to know dance and start crying on the dance floor.