Tag: Interview

A Deep Dive Into Fandom and Podcasting With The Ringer’s Mallory Rubin

August 26, 2026

A person looking off to the side, with their hands in the air, holding a baseball

Mallory Rubin knows her career is unique. “Sometimes I describe my job to people and they’re like, ‘Wait, you get to just talk about Game of Thrones and football for a living? Like, what?’” she said recently, laughing. In her roles as The Ringer’s director of content and cohost of the House of R podcast, Mallory has spent her career diving deep into some of her favorite pop-culture properties (with plenty of detours to talk about her beloved Baltimore Ravens and Orioles). In the process, she’s had a firsthand look at the unique role podcasts play in strengthening the bonds between fans and their favorite things, from TV adaptations of fantasy novels to sports teams.

One of the funny things about fandom-driven podcasts is the way that being a superfan can earn you plenty of fans on your own, which is how Mallory and her cohost, Joanna Robinson, found themselves taping a live show at Camden Yards ahead of an Orioles game this summer. After they wrapped, Mal took to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before joining the show’s fans—the Bad Babies—in the stands to take in the game. For this child of Baltimore, it was a big deal. “I’m prone to hyperbole, so they’ll release a new flavor of a Dorito and I’m like, ‘What a life highlight!’ But this was actually a life highlight,” she said.

For the Record caught up with Mallory to talk about her fandom journey, the uniquely intimate qualities of podcasting, and the joy of seeing fans meet up in real life.

You threw out the first pitch at an Orioles game last night, but you didn’t just throw out the first pitch—it was House of R Night at Camden Yards! What did that mean to you?

It was totally bonkers and surreal—the kind of thing where, until people were sitting in the seats, I thought it was maybe an elaborate prank. The Orioles are a huge part of my life and always have been. It was truly a delight to come home and do a live pod at Camden and then throw the first pitch—and the people who bought tickets to the live show all watched the game together, so we got to basically do a watch-along with our listeners and viewers during the game. It’s a very special and meaningful thing to confront in real life what the shows mean to people, and this was a particularly special manifestation of that.

How was the first pitch itself?

It was wonderful as an experience. I have some notes for myself on the actual pitch.

Mallory on the field with ‘House of R’ cohost Joanna Robinson and the Oriole Bird.

Let’s talk about fandom. Is there an early memory or moment where you felt the fan thing switch on?

In a way that feels very appropriate given how I’ve chosen to spend my time, it really was a combo of sports and pop culture. My parents got divorced when I was really young, and when I would go to my dad’s every other weekend, we would watch [University of Maryland] Terps games, we would watch Orioles games. And he’s a huge fantasy literature fan, so he had put this little bookshelf in my room with some George R. R. Martin, Dune, but he never was, like, “Read these.” He just left them there, allowing me to discover them on my own when I was ready. In fifth grade, the first book that I read when I had kind of more confidence as a reader was The Hobbit, and The Lord of the Rings was really the first fictional universe that I fell deep deep deep into. 

The first one that I found on my own was Harry Potter. Back in the AIM days, I was putting up away messages, like, “If you don’t know what a Horcrux is, we can’t talk right now.” And then the last movie that I saw in college, like the week I graduated, was Iron Man, so I associate the MCU with moving to New York City and becoming an adult. I started reading A Song of Ice and Fire when I was a young whippersnapper working at Sports Illustrated, living in the Big Apple, trying to find my way. I read it together with a friend of mine who was working at Golf Magazine, and we would meet for lunch and talk about it.

An in-person podcast! What do you think it is about podcasts as a medium that makes them so effective for fan-driven work? Obviously we have TV recaps and movie reviews, but there’s something different that seems to happen in the podcast form.

It’s a couple things. Podcasting is a very intimate medium. We’re in the video era now, but if you think about the audio roots of podcasting, when you put your headphones on, you have someone’s voice in your head. They become a part of the rhythm of your day. We talk a lot at The Ringer about, “Come for the topic, stay for the hosts.” People have to care about both things, ultimately, and if and when they do, then podcasts afford a depth of connection that is distinct. 

We always talk about our shows being “expert but approachable.” You want the conversation to be the best version of the thing—if people give us their time, we don’t want to squander it. But it also has to be a good hang, and a lot of that is the rhythm and rapport and chemistry between the hosts, which you can’t fake. That allows people to form a connection, too, because then they’re like, “I’m hanging out with my friends.” That’s the great trick of podcasting: “I’m hanging out with my friends.” 

You talked about how important expertise is, and you’re infamous, I’d say, for the amount of prep you do for podcasts. Tell me about your process.

In some ways it’s more intense than ever, which, as I get older, I just honestly can’t stay up this late or wake up this early. But I don’t want to ever go into one of these runs feeling like I got this, because then maybe I won’t. It does vary property to property, but the prep is: I want to be able to watch the episode multiple times. I want to read, if I can, source text. I try to spend as much time with the actual thing we’re covering—the movie, the show, whatever the case may be—and if there’s a source text, to really dive in and to learn about the mythology and the lore, but I don’t only want to focus on the mythology and the lore. Because we talk about character arcs and narrative structure and the quality of the writing and the world-building, too. 

A packed house for the live taping of ‘House of R.’

At the O’s game, you got to hang out with all these fans and members of your community. What do they mean to the work you guys are doing?

I mean, it’s the best! It’s the best, it really is. Anybody who works on the internet in any capacity knows that sometimes it’s gnarly out there. I am a woman in sports media! And no stranger to how dark the feedback and reception on the internet can be. So I have felt astonished now twice in my career by the relationship that people have formed to a thing that my cohosts and I have made together. The Binge Mode fans were just unbelievable, and the House of R fans are at a god-tier level of love and enthusiasm for the thing we make. It’s unbelievable to us. I went to journalism school, I was editing football columns for years. I never thought I would be doing this professionally. The ability to spend time thinking about things that I actually care about is not something I take lightly, and to see other people respond to that is the gift of a lifetime.

The other thing that’s great about seeing people in real life is getting to see the listeners engage with each other. We met people who are huge House of R fans, but they had met in the Binge Mode days, and they had formed a trivia group because of Binge Mode. We’ve had a couple of House of R people reach out and invite us to their weddings. There are all of these different layers to the community around the shows that we make, and it’s been so cool to see the way that people discover the thing and then discover other people who love the thing, and then the depth of the bond just grows from there.

Last question: What’s the last thing that you were surprised to find yourself becoming a fan of?

To go back a few years, F1. Like a lot of American sports fans, during COVID, I caught up on every Drive to Survive season that had aired to that point. It was really the height of Danny Ricciardo-mania, and he had gone to McLaren at that point. We knew we wanted to pick an English team, and it felt like there was a little bit of an Orioles comp there with where they were at the time. So we became McLaren fans, and we started watching F1 in real time, waking up to watch the Grands Prix. And now, a few years in, we watch qualifying. We watch practice! Lando Norris is a very, very important figure in our lives. We’re coming off a couple Constructors’ Championships, and Lando won the Drivers’ title last year, so that was rewarding. Will the Orioles reward me similarly? I can’t say.

Keep an eye out for Mallory across the Ringer’s network of podcasts, and check out the latest episode of House of R on Spotify now.

All photos: Brian O’Doherty.

How Amy Poehler Became Such a ‘Good Hang’

August 25, 2026

A person staring at the camera from behind a laptop and microphone. A neon-lit "GOOD HANG" sign appears behind them

“Enough with improving ourselves! And listening to stuff about how we’re supposed to get better, and better, and better,” Amy Poehler joked on an early episode of her podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. Over the 70-plus episodes the show has released since launching in early 2025, it’s become clear that Good Hang isn’t a place for typical podcast chat about optimization and self-improvement—but it is the spot for celebrity interviews with a ton of heart, lots of laughs, and the odd crying jag, too.

But making things look easy takes a lot of work. As executive producer Jenna Weiss-Berman explains, it helps to have a beloved-by-everyone host like Amy leading the charge. But the show has earned its success—it’s consistently at the top of Spotify’s podcast charts, and took home the first-ever Golden Globe award for Best Podcast—thanks to hard work and deep research, too.

After a live recording of the podcast in New York earlier this month, Jenna sat down with For the Record to talk about bringing Good Hang to life.

How did you guys talk about the show before it launched?

Amy and I talked about it for almost two years before it launched. She made three limited audio series where she played characters, and she is a true, massive podcast head, you know. She listens to everything. She was talking about how she wanted to build out more podcasts in her producing life, and I was basically, like, “I think you should host one as yourself.” She’s a private person, so it’s a little scary to think about hosting a podcast. We started kind of sending ideas back and forth, and thinking about what the show could be. 

What are some more granular editorial or or production choices that gave the show its footing early on? How do you set the very specific tone?

It’s a very specific tone, and it’s a very Amy tone. You meet Amy, and you’re like, “You would be the best in the world at this thing.” There is simply no one better. And we were thinking a lot about the times that we’re in—there are a lot of podcasts that are really heavy, about the news, and also a lot of self-betterment podcasts. And we knew—she says this in the first episode, or the trailer, “We’re not going to tell you how to be better.” We always just wanted to set a tone where it was like, This is a happy place. 

You get to come here and you don’t have to be anyone other than who you are, and you don’t have to strive to be better. We’re just here to make you laugh. We ask every guest what’s making them laugh—that’s a big part of it, too. And that was also in the early planning: how can we not just make this a fun, happy, safe place, but also bring the guests into helping our audience figure out what’s going to make them laugh?

Did the show title come first or last?

We were shopping it around as Whatever Works. I actually think it was Bill Simmons who was, like, “So it sounds like what you’re talking about is a good hang. Maybe that’s your title.” And we were, like, “Okay, that’s the title.” It wasn’t a thing that we workshopped or brought in an outside marketing group. It was literally Bill Simmons sitting in a meeting telling us that it sounded like a good hang.

You hit on what I suspect is the number-one thing that makes Amy a good host, which is that she’s just Amy Poehler. But besides that, what makes her so good at this?

She’s super curious about people. She just genuinely wants to know and understand people. She’s never judgmental, she’s very loving, and she just knows how to make everyone feel so comfortable. Every guest who comes in, afterwards, they’re all, like, “That was so great.” 

There’s more crying than maybe you would expect on a fun celebrity chat podcast. 

Maybe it sounds corny, but I think people feel comfortable to cry because they know that Amy sees them. And a lot of the crying on the show comes when Amy is shining people and telling them how amazing they are. And I think that they’re genuinely moved by feeling that she really sees and gets them. Seth Meyers was our first cryer, and it was really because he was talking about the early days of feeling like she was so supportive of him at SNL, and was really looking out for him. 

Darcy Carden and Amy Poehler, live onstage in New York. (Photo: Jess Williams)

How do you guys book the show? There’s a preponderance of people who seemingly know Amy or are friends with her, but I’m curious how you think about the mix.

At first, it was a lot of us going to her friends and being, like, “Please, please help us.” [Laughs] The early episodes, it was a lot of her friends—Tina Fey and Martin Short, Seth Meyers, Rachel Dratch. A lot of her buddies. And that’ll always be a part of the show. She also knows a lot of people from, say, hosting the Golden Globes. People feel very comfortable with her even if they’ve only met her a couple times. So sometimes people think that it’s a lot of her friends on the show, but a lot of people are just friendly with Amy because she’s so nice. But now a ton of it is inbound—we’re getting at least like 10 to 15 pitches a day from the biggest stars in the world. 

What qualities make for an ideal guest?

Honestly, the thing we think about a lot is, are they going to be a good hang? That’s really the bar for us.

The show has been way up on the charts, you guys won a Golden Globe—what does your success tell you about what people are looking for in a podcast?

I think people want joy, they want an escape, they want loving connection. And like that’s what the show is. I listen to news podcasts all day. Those are extremely important. Everyone should be listening to those. We should never check out of the world. But sometimes we just need like an hour to kind of just have a sweet, warm bath or whatever.

When you’re recording, how do you know you’re getting a moment that’s going to resonate?

Sometimes I see Amy laughing so hard that she puts her face down on the table, and I know that we have a good moment. Amy is also, at her core, one of the greatest comedians in the world, so she gets like excited at doing bits with people, and sometimes this like back-and-forth starts that gets crazier and crazier and elevates itself. And then we also have really deep moments where people feel really comfortable and safe to share heavy stuff. So the show is a lot of things. 

Looking for your next good hang? Find the latest episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler on Spotify now.

Top photo courtesy of Good Hang with Amy Poehler.

The Art of Specificity: Designing an Experience for Every Atif Aslam Fan

August 6, 2026

Atif Aslam's Subah Aye Na album cover on a blue gradient backdrop

No two fans connect with an artist in exactly the same way. Some have been listening since the very beginning, while others may be discovering them through a shared playlist today. Some return to the same songs for comfort, while others are always eager to hear what’s next.

It’s that diversity that inspired Spotify’s new in-app experience celebrating Atif Aslam’s latest release, Subah Aye Na—his first studio album in nearly two decades. One of Pakistan’s most celebrated artists, Atif has built a catalog of pop hits, film soundtracks, and devotional performances. His audience spans generations and geographies, with nearly 8 billion all-time streams and more than 30 million monthly listeners. Remarkably, 96% of those streams come from outside Pakistan.

Available now in the Spotify app, Discover Your Inner Aadeez is a mobile experience named after the artist’s fan community. It groups listeners into one of four personas based on how they engage with Atif’s music: Borderless Aadeez, Moonrise Aadeez, OG Aadeez, or Early Discoverer Aadeez. Designed to be both personal and shareable, it gives fans a new way to see themselves in the music they love.

Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo Talk Friendship, Fame, and ‘Daughter from Hell’

July 7, 2026

Gracie Abrams standing next to Olivia Rodrigo. Their arms are around each other

With hit albums, sold-out tours, and a generation of fans hanging on every lyric, Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo are two of pop’s most exciting voices. Now, as Gracie prepares to usher in her next era with Daughter from Hell, she sits down with Olivia—fresh off the record-breaking release of you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love—for the latest episode of Spotify’s Countdown To video series. Together, they sat down at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre to discuss songwriting, growing up in the spotlight, and the experiences that have shaped them as artists. Here are a few highlights:

Their friendship is built on years of mutual admiration.

Before they were selling out tours, they were each other’s fans. Gracie recalled finding Olivia’s Instagram when she was a teenager and being inspired, while Olivia revealed that she was a fan of the early videos Gracie recorded of herself playing guitar in her bedroom.

Gracie’s favorite lyric on the album comes from “Humming.”

It’s this one: I’m convinced our sinking ship will sing as it goes down / haunting hymns keep echoing after we’re in the ground.

Gracie said the lyric captures her own unease about the state of the world. “Lots of the songs, to me, feel more existential than diaristic. But that song in particular, [that’s] the lyric that comes to mind.”

“I think when I wrote that it came from this place of understanding—or just having eyes and ears and a heart—and knowing that so many people are in the midst of such despair and pain,” she continued. ‘But I really do believe in us […] and I have hope.”

 

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Olivia’s favorite song on the album is “Death Wish.” 

“I remember watching the video of you performing it at The O2 and being like, ‘Oh my God, that song is so, so beautiful,’” she told Gracie. “Every lyric feels so poignant. It feels like there are no filler lyrics in it—it’s just perfect.”

Gracie’s evolving style has helped her feel more like herself.

After Olivia remarked that Gracie’s style has “never been cooler,” Gracie reflected on how cutting her hair has changed the way she sees herself. “More than anything, I have found, as I’ve continued to cut my hair off, I feel more like myself,” she said.

That shift has also changed how she shows up onstage. “I think I look back on even the last tour aesthetic, being in dresses, for example—I’m like, the person I am today, I don’t know that I will ever perform in a dress ever again.”

Touring helps Gracie cope with the “fishbowl” feeling of fame.

Both artists have experienced the strange realities of life in the spotlight. Gracie, who said she didn’t initially aspire to be a performer, described the “fishbowl” feeling she references on the album. But she’s found perspective by getting out on the road. “In reality, that isn’t remotely true, and the world is so big,” she said of the feeling that everyone is watching. “And I’m grateful to tour, because it lets you remember that in many ways.”

Watch the full conversation on Spotify and don’t forget to presave Daughter from Hell, out July 17.

From Audio to IRL: How ‘Let’s Get Haunted’ Is Building Community With Spotify RADAR

April 6, 2026

As podcasting continues to evolve, growth increasingly means building beyond audio. Creators are expanding into video, merch, and live events, finding new ways to deepen listener relationships and bring audiences together. One clear example is the paranormal-comedy podcast Let’s Get Haunted.

Hosted by best friends Alyssa Terry and Natalia Strawn, the show has built a devoted fanbase—affectionately known as the “Haunties”—around a shared love of the spooky and the absurd. Last year, the podcast joined Spotify’s 2025 RADAR creators class, our global program designed to help emerging creators reach new audiences.

That support helped pave the way for a new milestone: the show’s first-ever live taping, recently recorded in front of about 120 fans at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles. The episode is now streaming on Spotify, offering a snapshot of the community they’ve built.

To mark the occasion, For the Record caught up with Nat and Aly for a joint Q&A about the show’s evolution, their live debut, and what’s next.

For anyone hearing about Let’s Get Haunted for the first time, how would you describe the show?

It started as a tongue-in-cheek response to the horrors of everyday life. We take turns deep diving into paranormal topics—ghost encounters, alien abductions, cursed objects—with the assumption that each story is true. Our goal is to give the audience a chance to suspend their disbelief and tap into a sense of childlike wonder.

We also have a broad definition of “haunted.” Did you get three flat tires in a month, hunt down the person who stole your credit card instead of calling your bank like a normal person, or rescue a possum on the side of the highway and crowdfund its femur surgery? Congrats, you’re haunted! (These are all things that have really happened to us.) We try to match the chaos of the hauntings in our personal lives with the tales we select for the storytelling portion of the show.

How has the podcast changed since you first launched it? And how have your listeners helped shape where it’s gone?

Our podcast has always been very community-based. We use listener surveys to get feedback at the end of every season, then have a meeting where we go over that feedback and figure out which suggestions are feasible for us to incorporate.

When we first started the pod, we were living on opposite ends of Los Angeles and would scramble to find places to record that were roughly in the middle. We’ve recorded in bathrooms, cars, empty office buildings, and anywhere we could find. 

In 2023, thanks to the generosity of our audience, we were finally able to sublease an office space. Having a stable place to record was a total game changer: It allowed us to increase the number of episodes we were putting out, create vlogs, produce and store merch, and organize fan meet-ups. We literally would not exist without the support of our listeners.

Your first live taping was a big milestone. What did that moment feel like for you?

It was absolutely surreal! We were so nervous going into it, but as soon as we parked at the venue we immediately ran into two Haunties who had arrived three hours early to be first in line. Knowing we were walking into something brand new with the support of the people who’ve been with us since the beginning made us feel so much more at ease.

‘The Big Picture’ Co-Host Sean Fennessey on Spielberg and the Art of the Interview

March 24, 2026

Few filmmakers have shaped popular cinema as profoundly as Steven Spielberg. So when Sean Fennessey, co-host of The Big Picture from Spotify’s The Ringer, sat down with the director at SXSW earlier this month, it made for a conversation movie fans won’t want to miss.

Now streaming on Spotify, the interview spans from his filmmaking process to his career and the communal experience of going to the theater. But what does it take to prepare for a conversation with a figure like Spielberg? For the Record caught up with Sean to hear about his research process, his interviewing philosophy, and what helps a conversation feel both thoughtful and natural.

After having a little time to reflect, what has stayed with you most since your sit-down with Spielberg?

Well, aside from his confession that he believes we are not alone on this planet, I was struck by Spielberg’s balance between certitude and vulnerability. More than six decades into his legendary career, he’s as comfortable talking about being completely out of his depth while making Jaws as he is holding court on the communal nature of moviegoing.

It’s rare that such a godfather figure—someone who really knows everything about his field—retains that sensitivity, playfulness, and lack of cynicism. It was inspiring to find that he’s still the same guy who was excitedly putting his dreams on the big screen in the ’70s.

You’ve interviewed many filmmakers over the years. Do you prepare differently depending on who you’re speaking to, or is there a core approach you always come back to?

I always rewatch the work. Always. For directors whose films I already know well, I go hunting for themes and look for ways those ideas connect to their personal history. I’m an inveterate researcher, and I like to start with interview compendiums and contemporaneous magazine profiles. For this sit-down, I read a great collection of Spielberg interviews from The University of Mississippi Press. Spielberg is arguably the most famous film director in world history, so there’s no shortage of material, but he doesn’t often do State-of-the-Union-style conversations. That meant there was still a lot of ground we could cover together.

For other filmmakers, I look to biographies, criticism that connects their filmographies, and especially, director commentaries on physical media, where you can find subjects in a surprisingly revealing state talking about how and why they made certain creative and practical decisions.

These Music Trends Took 2025 in Surprising New Directions

December 3, 2025

Spotify Wrapped is back, and as always, it’s powered by the billions of streams that fans around the world delivered throughout the year. From the artists who dominated the charts to the unexpected tracks that found a home in playlists everywhere, Wrapped is shaped entirely by how our listeners hit play.

In 2025, music fans made bold choices. They pushed familiar names to new heights, championed emerging voices, and turned niche sounds into global movements. Pop, K-Pop, and country surged; cross-genre collaborations flourished; and a booming live landscape with a touch of social momentum shaped what broke through. What rose to the top wasn’t just a reflection of popularity, it was a reflection of passion.

To explore the biggest shifts in sound and the global fandoms behind them, we sat down with Ronny Ho, Head of Dance & Electronic Development, and James Foley, Lead of Global Editorial Strategy, both of whom are on Spotify’s music editorial team, for a look inside the data and trends that defined 2025.

Let’s start with a surprise. Which 2025 music trend caught you off guard the most this year?

Ronny: It’s not necessarily a 2025 trend, but I’m pleasantly surprised by the globalization of K-Pop this year. We couldn’t ignore the impact of K-Pop Demon Hunters, putting groups like HUNTR/X and Saja Boys at the forefront of pop music culture. Although fictional, they’re represented by real artists from around the world, including South Korea and the U.S. In addition to the aforementioned K-Pop Demon Hunters, KATSEYE, another group that became popular from a TV show, skyrocketed to stardom in 2025 and recently kicked off their headline tour. 

James: The continued growth of Afrobeats isn’t surprising, but perhaps the ways in which it now permeates global music has caught many unawares. This year has seen it morph further out of its West African roots into a staple of mainstream culture—the sonics are being adopted by other genres and places, further accelerating its reach. It’s now firmly part of mainstream pop and rap in North America and Europe. Notably especially is the cross-pollination happening with Latin artists such Kapo and Beéle, who interpret Afrobeats through their own lens while collaborating with some of the mainstays of the genre.To that end, our ever-growing Afro-Ritmo playlist spotlights Latin-African fusions, and Global Afrobeats gives you a true sense of this amazing global cultural shift.

We saw several new genres and microscenes pick up steam in 2025. Which ones stood out, and why do you think they resonated with listeners?

James: There’s something very gratifying to witness in the remarkable rise of Copenhagen’s alternative pop scene. It’s a perfect storm of a generation of super-talented independent artists—Erika De Casier, Smerz, and Astrid Sonne to name a few—the real life spaces and institutions in the city which have nurtured and supported musical innovation and collaboration, and a supportive industry infrastructure. Why has it resonated? The music is this fearless blend of trippy, left-field, sometimes experimental textures while retaining an accessible edge. On paper it’s incongruous, but in your ears, it’s just incredible. Hear for yourself on our Cph+ playlist.

Ronny: Rock is continuing to have its moment, especially influencing country music. This new wave of country rock is about the return of rock bands to the mainstream country sound, with groups like Treaty Oak Revival and Ole 60 growing massive fan bases in just a few short years. This is the next step in the expansion of the country genre, growing from the acoustic homegrown-y Zach Bryan arm of the genre but incorporating heavier production. Think big guitar and drum sounds over more mainstream country lyrics and imagery. You can get a taste of it on our newly launched GRAVEL playlist.

I’ve been noticing a wave of heart-on-sleeve pop taking over Spotify lately—the kind that feels pulled straight from a rom-com’s big montage moment. Artists like Olivia Dean, who has seven songs on the Global Chart, Role Model, Alex Warren, and Sombr are leading the way with songs that are emotionally direct and impossible not to feel. It’s romantic pop at its purest: earnest, catchy, a little self-aware, and perfect for anyone who wants life to sound a bit like falling in love on-screen.

On a personal note, what was your favorite music trend of the year? You know, the one you couldn’t stop listening to?

Ronny: I love that U.K. garage has properly crossed over in the U.S. this year! Speed garage was amongst the fastest-growing subgenres in music this year, and that’s thanks, in part, to the internet. Artists such as Sammy Virji and Girls Don’t Sync have added a modern touch to garage while paying homage to the classic sound. When I’m not out raving, I love listening to the emerging R&B artists coming from the U.K. If you’re not on the kwn train yet, it’s time to get on!

James: The surge and increasing international resonance of talent out of Ireland has been my favorite trend. There’s been a lot on repeat—the heartbreaking and hilarious CMAT on her album EURO-COUNTRY; KNEECAP’s bilingual rap, which is laced with humor and political intention; and hard-hitting, sophisticated bangers from KETTAMA. Irish artists in all their diversity are on a roll. Their music is connecting in ever more corners of the world and personally I couldn’t be happier about it!

We know social media is a discovery engine. In 2025, how did social platforms shape music trends?

Ronny: Social platforms continue to blur the lines of what it means to be regional. Artists are finding fans all around the world and genres are crossing borders faster than ever. As James mentioned, sub-Saharan Africa continues to showcase its cultural impact, with Afrobeats merging with Latin sounds and Afro house instrumentation weaved into pop and dance production. 

We also saw the revival of trip-hop as nostalgia continues to play a massive part in culture today. Trip-hop was the soundtrack of the mid-’90s, built on smoky vocals and hip-hop–leaning beats from icons like Portishead and Sneaker Pimps. Today, we’re hearing it everywhere, from the lush, atmospheric textures of FKA twigs and PinkPantheress to the glossy downtempo R&B of Oklou. Even Addison Rae’s brand of moody pop traces back to the genre. I recommend exploring our Deep Dive: Trip-Hop Revival playlist.

Looking ahead, are there any early signs or shifts that could hint at what’s coming in 2026? Any bold predictions?

James: Connecting the dots on what our editors are seeing and hearing around the world, it’s clear that artists have many more exciting moments ahead. This momentum is driven by a new generation of truly borderless listeners who don’t care about long-held boundaries of language or location. Specifically, I think we’ll see more Asian artists breaking through globally across a broader mix of styles and sounds. You can already see hints of this in the international reception for artists like Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba and Indonesian indie soul band Thee Marloes.

Ronny: Every year, we see harder, more aggressive sounds gain popularity and I predict that in 2026, it will infiltrate the mainstream. Whether it’s gabber, rage rap, country rock, Latin trap, or punk, we’re seeing communities galvanize online as much as they are in real life. 

Explore your personalized 2025 Wrapped and learn more about this year’s campaign and experience on our 2025 Wrapped hub.

Spotify’s Fiction Podcast ‘Caso 63’ Reaches an Epic Conclusion

October 14, 2025

Since its debut, the Spotify Original podcast Caso 63 has been more than just a story; it’s been a cultural sensation. The science fiction thriller captivated millions of listeners across Latin America, Spain, and the US, setting a new standard for what audio storytelling could accomplish and bringing attention to the creative depth of Latin American writers, actors, and directors. Now, the journey reaches its exciting conclusion with the fifth and final season, and all 14 bingeable episodes are dropping today.

Created by Julio Rojas and brought to life by the commanding performances of Antonia Zegers (Dr. Elisa Aldunate) and Néstor Cantillana (Patient 63), the series set a new bar for fiction podcasting in the Spanish-speaking world. It was also the first Latin American Spotify Original to be adapted into multiple languages, including English, Portuguese, and Hindi, becoming a global guide for immersive audio storytelling.

The final installment picks up in the year 2062 in a post-apocalyptic world that’s reeling from the aftermath of “Pegaso,” a mysterious event that fractured the timeline. A dedicated group of scientists and anonymous collaborators work tirelessly to locate a single, anomalous timeline—Caso 63—that may hold the key to saving humanity. But here’s the catch: The only way forward is to go backward and disrupt the original event that triggered civilization’s collapse 40 years prior.

The fifth season delivers an ambitious finale that honors the legacy of the series. It’s a conclusion that promises a nonstop mysterious and emotionally resonant journey, bringing a satisfying close to a story that’s riveted listeners around the world.

The team at For the Record had the chance to discuss the season finale of Caso 63 with its creator, Julio Rojas, about his thoughts on the project and the last season. 

As fans prepare to say goodbye, what can they expect from this final season?

Above all, it’s about closing a cycle that began four years ago. It’s a season that pays tribute to the fans, and we can expect the beginning of the unraveling, the final answers, and the closing of everything—which at the same time is also the opening of everything, because it’s a time loop. 

What message or emotion do you hope people take away after finishing the last episode?

First, nostalgia—for an audio fiction that accompanied us during such a difficult moment in human history, the pandemic. Then, reconnection with the main characters, and above all, the realization that every action we take has consequences. Events in the future may be significant, even if we don’t perceive them that way now.

Writers are often shaped by the worlds they create. How has Caso 63 affected you personally?

It has accompanied me over the past four years. I’ve felt a deep connection with the characters, but also on a personal level, because it has allowed me to see time not as an isolated event in our lives, but as a chain of causalities. I’ve become very aware that the events and words spoken now are relevant in the future—it has allowed me to contemplate the future.

Why should those who haven’t experienced Caso 63 listen to it?

Basically because it’s a story that concerns us all. We’re living in a time when the big question is: What does the future hold for us, and what are the consequences of the actions we’re taking today? This is an audio fiction that speaks precisely about that—about what’s coming, or perhaps what’s not.

With the creation of this story, how has your own perception of time and opportunity changed?

For me, time stopped being an invisible event—a variable only measured by clocks—and became part of the architecture of reality. Time is part of us as humanity, and we must understand that we can’t toy with that variable. What we do matters.

Ready to find out how it all ends? Start streaming the final season of Caso 63.

Spotify and ELLE Debut ‘Three Generations,’ a Bold New Series Bridging Women in Music

October 8, 2025

Spotify’s commitment to supporting women in music spans genres, generations, and cultures. This week, we’re excited to announce a new chapter in our partnership with ELLE: Three Generations, a series that brings together legends, trailblazers, and rising stars for in-depth, cross-generational conversations.

Each episode spotlights a different genre and features three women who’ve made their mark at distinct moments in time—each still shaping the culture today. Together, they discuss legacy, influence, and what it means to stay relevant while paving the way forward.

The debut episode features Mariah Carey, Kelly Rowland, and Ravyn Lenae in a candid, inspiring conversation. Highlights include:

Mariah Carey on cowriting 18 number-one hits…

“The thing is, people don’t want to give you your propers. They don’t. They’re like, ‘We don’t know if she’s a songwriter.’ I’m like, ‘Hello, I’m in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.’”

Kelly Rowland on texting in Microsoft Excel in the “Dilemma” music video…

“Everybody’s always asking me. I say, ‘I don’t know! I was given the device, it had this on it.’ … Here we are 25 years later. I am literally asked every week.”

Ravyn Lenae on recording her first song…

“So I used my $300 to book that studio session and I recorded that song, and the studio owner, he said, ‘You don’t ever have to pay for studio time ever again.’”

Watch the full conversation below, and follow @spotify and @elle for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes moments from the series.

New episodes of Three Generations will drop weekly, continuing to spotlight the voices shaping music and culture across generations and genres.

Discover music from these artists and other influential women in R&B in the ELLE Three Generations playlist on Spotify, which we’ll update with each new episode.

A Conversation With Spotify’s New Chief HR Officer, Anna Lundström

May 14, 2025

At Spotify, we believe that our incredible bandmates (that’s what we call our team) are the driving force behind our success. Longtime Spotifier Anna Lundström, recently named our Chief HR Officer, aims to build upon a strong legacy of employee experience.

Anna oversees all aspects of Spotify’s human resources, guiding the people strategy that supports more than 7,000 bandmates representing the more than 180 markets we serve. She’s been with Spotify since 2016 and has worn a few different HR hats, most recently heading up HR for our business teams. Before joining Spotify, she held HR roles at Nasdaq and Teracom.

For the Record sat down with Anna to learn more about what makes her tick—everything from building a workplace that’s all about new ideas and being kind to each other to her favorite running tunes.

You’ve been with Spotify for nearly a decade. How has the company evolved? What’s always remained true at our core?

Spotify is always changing and improving, and that, together with all our talented people, is a big part of what keeps me here. It’s true that change really is the only constant. We have evolved from being a great product to now proving we are a great business as well, but we’re just getting started. Our team reflects the growth and changes of our company and bandmates, the industries and countries we operate in, and the creators we support. And we are playing to win!

Creativity is infused into everything we do, and that applies to how we approach our employee experience. It’s what has led to our global benefits offering and our Work From Anywhere initiative, how we embed AI into our product and our workplace, and the introduction of Core Weeks, to name a few.

While a lot of things look different today than 10 years ago, at our core, we remain rooted in hard work, pushing for greatness by always being better than yesterday, and creating an environment where people stay passionate about our journey—and have a lot of fun along the way.

What are some of your goals and top priorities in your new role?

We pride ourselves on having some of the most creative minds in the business, and my top priority is to continue nurturing this. We have to keep evolving the band experience, reflecting not only where we are as a company but where we aspire to go. This means setting bandmates up for success by opening new doors to explore creativity and deliver tangible impact, whatever your role.

To me, aligning our people strategy with product and business goals is key for a sustainable and genuine people experience. That’s why ensuring AI is a key focus across the organization is also a top priority. AI and machine learning have been part of our platform for years, and now we’re focused on embedding that more deeply in our daily work across our entire organization—from engineers to marketers to HR business partners.

Finally, enabling benefits for a sustainable workforce by championing initiatives focused on health and well-being is also a priority for me and my team.

How would you describe Spotify’s company culture? 

Culture is something that’s always evolving. I see it like this: Our culture is built on giving our bandmates runway to exercise good judgment and move fast wherever they sit, whatever their title. We have a fun—and dare I say unique—creative environment where we empower and inspire people to do the best work of their careers. And it’s a place where you can untangle tiny knots to solve big problems.

What piece of advice do you always share with new bandmates?

I say to new bandmates what I say to my children and what I live by: Be kind and treat others how you want to be treated. 

I also encourage all bandmates, not just newcomers, to focus on the job at hand. Spotify is a fast-paced and ever-changing company, and you need to be relentlessly focused and not get lost in the millions of other exciting things happening at the same time. Then, once you have delivered on that task, say yes to new challenges and to solving new problems that come your way, regardless of how complex or difficult they may seem.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of the “gravity of mediocrity” in our day-to-day work and let comfort and routine inhibit creativity. Spotify is what it is because of our relentless commitment to innovation and best-in-class work across the company. So fighting against that routine and challenging the norm is invaluable to our mission, no matter what team someone is on or what their title is.

What’s on your playlist at the moment?

Right now, I’m inspired by legendary songwriter Diane Warren, who recently joined us for one of our exclusive Listening Lounge fireside chats for bandmates in New York City. Diane is tied for the most No. 1 songs written by a sole songwriter in Billboard history, so we were beyond honored to welcome her for this special event.

I’m also an avid runner and love Spotify’s Running Club playlist for my 6K [3.7 miles] run on the weekends.

Creators Kevin Norman and Hina Talk Romance Fiction, Audiobooks, and Finding Community Online

February 27, 2024

Be it a steamy contemporary novel, a charming historical romp, or fantasy with a passionate twist, romance holds a special place in many readers’ hearts. On Spotify, you can find audiobooks that cover everything from classic romance (hello, Pride and Prejudice) to viral modern picks (Red, White & Royal Blue, anyone?) and everything in between. With recommendations, curated playlists, and more, our on-platform Spicy Audiobooks hub is an easy way to start exploring.

This February, we’re celebrating romance audiobooks on Spotify with the help of authors like Ana Huang, as well as some of our favorite audiobook experts: Kevin Norman and Hina. For the Record caught up with Kevin and Hina to learn more about their love of reading, the power of social media, and their ideal spice level when it comes to romance novels.

Romance fiction is having a moment. Why is this genre so popular?

Kevin: People have always loved romance novels, but social media has given us a place to talk about them and introduce them to a whole bunch of new readers. As these videos go viral, they have a reach that book marketing never had before.

Hina: Part of why I think this genre is so popular right now is because we are still in the post-pandemic adjustment era. One of the consequences of the pandemic was a global shared feeling of loneliness. A lot of people turned to online spaces to feel the company of others, to feel less alone while we were locked away in our homes and the world was on pause. It makes sense to me that online communities boosted genres such as romance fiction given that collectively, we were all seeking something that made us feel like we could be in a world untouched by disaster.

Kevin, you helped curate editorial content for Spotify’s Spicy Audiobooks hub. Tell us about that experience—how did you determine your selections?

Kevin Norman

Kevin: It has been one of the most surreal opportunities I’ve had as a bookish content creator. I always saw those celebrity playlists, so it’s wild that I now have my own and get to share some of my favorite books. When making my selections, I wanted to be diverse in my choices and ensure I included a little of everything for everyone. I felt like this was an opportunity not just for me, but for all of us in the book community, so I didn’t want to only include books I’ve read and loved. This playlist is for all of us.

What do you hope listeners get out of the hub?

Kevin: I hope that new listeners will fall in love with reading and that they’ll discover their next favorite book. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to explore a new genre and fall in love with my personal favorite way to read: audiobooks! I hope it spices up their lives, too.

From sweet (🌶️) to scorching hot (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️), where’s your sweet spot for romance fiction?

Hina: For me, between 1 and 2 is ample, and the book’s spice level is second to the plot. To feel invested in any book, I think the spice needs to feel like it has a purpose and isn’t the propeller of the plot itself.

Kevin: My sweet spot for a romance book is a 3! Not too hot, not too mild. It’s a perfect blend of spice, romance, and plot.

What romance novel would you recommend to someone totally new to the genre?

Kevin: I would pick something by Emily Henry. Her books are a great balance of romance and spice without being too overwhelming for someone new to the genre.

Hina: I really enjoyed Gideon the Ninth from the Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. It’s a romantasy novel with a gothic atmosphere, a creative plot, queer love, and an interesting world. I’d call it “gays in space” if I had to rename it in three words. This was the first romance novel I had ever read, so it stands out to me. The strange relationship dynamics in this book were filled with tension and excitement. I remember how fast I turned the pages just to get to these moments of juiciness.

Hina

What do you love most about audiobooks?

Hina: One night I wanted to draw but also wanted to read, so I gave audiobooks a shot. My life changed forever. Now there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t listen to a book. I still love a physical book, but there’s something about having it read to me that has really charmed me. Hearing how the readers emote and read dialogue sections is particularly fascinating. Sometimes there’s a part of a book I’d read one way in my head, and then hearing it read in a different way can change the tone entirely.

Kevin: I love audiobooks because of how convenient they are for anyone who is busy and on the go. You can listen to them while you drive, cook, clean, etc. Plus, it makes books feel so immersive. My first audiobook experience was Harry Potter when I was in elementary school, and I have been obsessed with audiobooks ever since. Also, they help me focus. I love to read a physical book while listening to the audiobook for full immersion, and to cut out everyday distractions.

Any advice for people who want to get into—or get back into—reading?

Kevin: Honestly, audiobooks! I think they’re perfect for those who might think reading a physical book can be a little daunting. Whenever I feel like I’m in a reading slump, audiobooks always pull me out.

Hina: The most important thing about reading is that you read things that are interesting to you. No matter how much you like to read, you’re not going to enjoy reading something you’re not into. For me, I love sci-fi. Out of the hundreds of books I’ve read in my lifetime, I’d bet at least 70% are sci-fi. Ask yourself what kind of media or stories you like from other mediums, like film or TV. If you like historical movies, try historical fiction or period pieces. If you like documentaries, try nonfiction or memoirs. If you like video games, read books like Ready Player One or Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. There’s a book for everyone.

Looking for a sizzling, swoony listen? Peruse Spotify’s Spicy Audiobooks hub.

Beauty and Fashion Creator Meredith Duxbury Dishes On the Music That’s Been Dominating Her Playlists

January 15, 2024

Photo credit: Jared Kocka

We love helping listeners discover new music on Spotify, and when it comes to features that help them find their next favorite songs or artists, personalization tops the list. With Spotify playlists like Discover Weekly and daylist; playlist-enhancing features like Smart Shuffle and Jam; and curated, AI-powered experiences like DJ; nearly 2 billion music discoveries happen on Spotify daily.

But it’s not just fans who love discovery. Creators around the world are constantly sharing their favorite playlists, products, and people with their followers, which in turn helps fans fall in love with the next best thing. And in For the Record’s ongoing Discovery Monday series, we connect with creators to pick their brains about recent finds, from new music to podcasts and beyond.

This month, we talk to beauty guru and model Meredith Duxbury. She’s known for her candid videos where she shares her makeup routine, fashion tips, and life updates. And while Meredith’s Instagram is full of haute couture and glam, fans also love her unique lip syncs to rap hits while applying makeup—a talent that combines her passion for music and beauty.

What have you been up to lately? 

I’ve really been enjoying diving back into my creative side. I’ve been loving the new soft ’90s grunge makeup aesthetic that‘s trending. It feels very editorial and runway to me. It’s so fun experimenting with makeup styles that are inspired by ’90s and early 2000s runway shows. Pat McGrath’s archival runway looks are my favorite. 

Your beauty videos have earned you millions of fans on social media. What beauty routine is your favorite to film?

Definitely a full glam look. The colorful glam looks are the best for social media because you can be the most creative with them and they get the most attention. 

There are lots of opinions shared in the beauty space—especially online. How do you maintain your confidence and positivity?

I remind myself why I started and what impact I have on the people who are following me. For me, I want my page to be a getaway for people, something that they look forward to and something that inspires them. When you frame your mindset this way, none of the negativity matters. 

You’ve done videos where you apply makeup while lip-syncing. Which was most fun to film?

They’re all super fun for me, but the rapping/hip-hop ones are my favorite because they have so much energy to them. I can also do more dramatic facial expressions with this genre of music, which people love.

What are some of your favorite tracks to get ready to? 

I absolutely love a good 2000s throwback playlist. It makes me feel so ready to take on the day or night. 

Do you ever discover something new through your fans?

Yes, 100%. I’m learning daily from my followers and it’s amazing how tight our community is. We are all here for each other and it feels like a big family. Anywhere from new makeup tips to ways to relieve anxiety, I’m always learning new things from them. 

Any recent genres you’re loving? 

I’ve recently discovered lo-fi jazz. Spotify has such great jazz playlists, the options are endless. I discovered these playlists through the jazz genre and definitely recommend checking it out. 

What’s your favorite way to discover on Spotify?

 I love Smart Shuffle. It’s such a fun way to surprise yourself with new songs or artists you’ve never heard of. 

Our Niche Mixes playlists can really help you discover your new favorite artist or song. Any new mixes you’re into? 

I love the Feel Good Morning Mix. A lot of the songs I have on there are already on some of my other playlists, so it’s nice to have a mix of some songs I’m already familiar with and some that are newly discovered. 

 

Like Meredith, you can discover new music with your own Niche Mixes on Spotify. From ’80s Running Mix to the Driving Sing Along Mix, there’s a lot to explore.