Tag: Music

Reggaetón Mexa, el género que está arrasando en México

February 15, 2024

El reggaetón ha conquistado a oyentes de todo el mundo, pero en México el género reina. De hecho, México escucha reggaetón más que cualquier otro país en Spotify, y ha evolucionado hasta tener su propia identidad, a la que hemos llamado “reggaetón Mexa.”

Varias influencias creando un sonido único

El reggaetón mexa no es nuevo, está presente en el país desde hace más de dos décadas, y cuenta con influencias de otras regiones, como los sonidos originales del reggaetón de Puerto Rico, el dembow de la República Dominicana y la música electrónica urbana de Panamá. También incorpora sonidos de los barrios mexicanos y la cultura sonidera, creando una mezcla de ritmos que refleja el orgullo de la cultura urbana de Ciudad de México.

“La era del streaming ha conectado al reggaetón mexa con audiencias masivas. Los artistas de hoy utilizan la jerga local originaria de los barrios de la Ciudad de México, lo que los acerca y los hace más accesibles,” explica Uriel Waizel, Lead Music Editor de Spotify México. “En una celebración al estilo y lenguaje único de este movimiento, desde Spotify decidimos llamarlo ‘reggaetón Mexa’ para referirnos al género de una manera mucho más local.”

Una oleada de nuevos artistas

A principios de la década de 2000, artistas como Big Metra y La Dinastía marcaron la primera ola de reggaetón Mexa, que combinaba el dembow con el sonidero mexicano. Esta generación abrió la puerta a una segunda oleada con artistas locales como Pablito Mix, que introdujo elementos de cumbia al género. 

El panorama ha cambiado por completo en la década de 2020 gracias a una nueva generación de artistas estrechamente conectados con sus fans. En los últimos cinco años, el consumo de reggaetón Mexa en Spotify ha crecido más de 1,100% en México, con los oyentes de la Generación Z contándose entre los mayores fans del género. Según datos de Spotify, el 53% de los oyentes de reggaetón Mexa en la plataforma son menores de 24 años.

“En los últimos años ha surgido un renovado aprecio por el barrio mexicano, dando lugar a una nueva generación de artistas de entre 20 y 25 años. Estos artistas han nacido en el barrio y los fans los perciben como gente accesible,” dice Uriel. “La sinceridad y autenticidad de los artistas locales conectan de forma natural con los jóvenes que buscan una representación más auténtica de su identidad y cultura en la escena del reggaetón.”

Los pesos pesados actuales del reggaetón Mexa

La cantautora mexicana Bellakath es una de las artistas a las que los fans acuden en masa. Pilar de la escena del reggaetón Mexa, forma parte de la tercera ola del género en México. La música de Bellakath, su autenticidad y la relación con sus fans la han coronado como la artista mexicana de reggaetón mexa más escuchada en Spotify. Su sencillo “Gatita” es la canción del género más escuchada de todos los tiempos en nuestra plataforma. Otros artistas populares son Uzielito Mix, Ghetto Kids, y Dani Flow. Entre las nuevas promesas se encuentran Yeri Mua, El Bogueto, El Malilla, Profeta Yao Yao, Alu Mix, DJ Rockwel Mx, y Alnz G.

A continuación, puedes descubrir más datos sobre el género y sus principales artistas.

Echa un vistazo a nuestra playlist de reggaetón Mexa con las mejores canciones de todo el género.

Reggaetón Mexa, the Homegrown Genre Taking Over Mexico

February 15, 2024

Reggaetón music has already captivated listeners around the world, but in Mexico the genre reigns supreme. In fact, on Spotify, Mexico listens to reggaetón more than any other country and has evolved into its own identity, which we’ve dubbed “reggaetón Mexa,” or Mexican reggaetón.

Various influences create one unique sound

Reggaetón Mexa isn’t new—it’s been around for more than two decades. But this unique twist boasts influences from other regions, like the original sounds of reggaetón from Puerto Rico, dembow beats from the Dominican Republic, and electronic urban music from Panama. It also incorporates sounds born of the Mexican barrios, and sonidero culture, creating a blend of rhythms that reflect the pride of urban culture in Mexico City. 

“The streaming era has connected Mexican reggaetón with mass audiences. Today’s artists use local slang that originated in Mexico City’s barrios, or neighborhoods, which brings them closer and makes them more accessible,” explains Uriel Waizel, Lead Music Editor for Spotify Mexico. “In a celebration of the unique style and language of this movement, from Spotify, we decided to call it ‘reggaetón Mexa’ to refer to the genre in a much more local way.”

A wave of new artists, each making their mark

In the early 2000s, artists like Big Metra and La Dinastía ushered in the first wave of reggaetón Mexa, combining dembow with Mexican sonidero. This generation opened the door to a second wave with local acts like Pablito Mix, who introduced elements of cumbia to the style. 

The landscape has changed completely in the 2020s thanks to a new generation of artists who are closely connected with their fans. In the last five years, the consumption of reggaetón Mexa on Spotify has grown more than 1,100% in Mexico, with Gen Z listeners counting themselves among the genre’s biggest fans. According to Spotify data, 53% of the reggaetón Mexa’s listeners on the platform are younger than 24.

“In recent years there has been a renewed appreciation for the Mexican barrio, giving rise to a new generation of artists between 20 and 25 years old. These artists were born in the barrio and fans perceive them as accessible people,” says Uriel. “The sincerity and authenticity of local artists naturally connect with young people who are looking for a more authentic representation of their identity and culture in the reggaetón scene.” 

Today’s reggaetón Mexa heavy hitters

Mexican singer-songwriter Bellakath is one artist fans are flocking to. A pillar of the reggaetón Mexa scene, she’s part of the third wave of the genre in Mexico. Bellakath’s music, authenticity, and relationship with her fans have crowned her Mexico’s most-listened-to artist of reggaetón Mexa on Spotify. Her single “Gatita” is the genre’s most popular song of all time on our platform. Other popular artists include Uzielito Mix, Ghetto Kids, and Dani Flow. Up-and-comers include Yeri Mua, El Bogueto, El Malilla, Profeta Yao Yao, Alu Mix, DJ Rockwel Mx, and Alnz G.

Below, you can track more data on the genre and its top artists.

Check out our Reggaetón Mexa playlist, which includes the top songs from across the genre.

 

The DMA Means a Better Spotify for Artists, Creators, and You

January 24, 2024

What’s one of the top complaints about Spotify? It’s actually something that until now has been outside of our control: the ability to seamlessly subscribe to and buy things through Spotify on your iPhone. Consumers have asked us for years about the dead ends, lack of information, and endless hoops to jump through just to purchase a subscription or audiobook. But beginning March 7, if you live in the European Union, that will change. With the Digital Markets Act (DMA) rolling out, your Spotify is about to become a whole lot better, and that means more opportunities for developers and creators everywhere. 

For years, even in our own app, Apple had these rules where we couldn’t tell you about offers, how much something costs, or even where or how to buy it. We know, pretty nuts. The DMA means that we’ll finally be able to share details about deals, promotions, and better-value payment options in the EU. And an easier experience for you means good things for artists, authors, and creators looking to build their audiences of listeners, concert-goers, and audiobook-loving fans. What’s more? All of this can now come without the burden of a mandatory ~30% tax imposed by Apple, which is prohibited under the DMA. 

For Spotify, this unleashes huge opportunities, so here’s what you can expect us to roll out starting in March:

Direct communications in the Spotify app about subscription offerings, upgrades, product prices, deals, and promotions

We’ll soon be able to give you information in the Spotify app about prices for things like Premium subscriptions and audiobooks.

And we will be able to communicate clearly with you in the Spotify app about new products for sale, promotional campaigns, superfan clubs, and upcoming events, including when items like audiobooks are going on sale.

Seamless and secure in-app payment 

Soon we expect that if you want to buy a Premium subscription or an audiobook, or are looking to seamlessly upgrade from Individual to a Duo or Family plan to save money, you will be able to do so with just a couple of easy clicks.

Right now you can’t upgrade from Free to Premium in the app, and we’re not even allowed to tell you about how much our various subscriptions cost, how you can save money, or where to purchase them. That doesn’t make sense. For everyone living in the EU, this is about to change.

Purchasing an audiobook directly

You will have choices. In the growing list of markets where we offer audiobooks, for the first time you will be able to see the price of an audiobook when browsing, easily buy it, and quickly start listening. 

Downloading other Spotify apps onto your iPhone

Thanks to the DMA we’re looking forward to a future of superfan clubs, alternative app stores, and giving creators the ability to safely download Spotify for Artists or Spotify for Podcasters directly from our site—and that’s just the start. 

The fight continues

It should be this easy for every single Spotify customer everywhere. But if you live outside certain markets, you will continue to encounter frustrating roadblocks because of Apple’s ridiculous rules.

That’s why developers everywhere are continuing to ask other governments to pass their own laws like the DMA. Like Spotify, they want to provide the best user experience for their customers. We’ll keep fighting because freedom from gatekeepers means more choice for consumers and positive impact for artists, authors, creators and developers everywhere. 

 

Spotify and Delta Travel Across Cultures and Continents in the Passport Sessions Series

January 8, 2024

Frequent flyers already know some of the melodic perks that come with Spotify’s Delta partnership. Travelers have in-flight access to Spotify’s This Is… mixtape series and easy perusing of the Kids & Family hub  on Delta’s industry leading seatback entertainment. Now, the Spotify x Delta partnership is expanding with a new social docu-series, The Passport Sessions. 

Available for passengers to watch for free in-flight, The Passport Sessions showcase how artists and their music can influence cultures on the other side of the world. In each episode, two songwriters, producers, or artists will travel to a twin city—locations that share similar cultural and historical identities—and will be hosted by two local artists. The episodes will follow the creators on their journeys as they write and record music, and explore the destination’s food, culture, and history. 

“Music has a powerful way of uniting people, whether through shared musical tastes, influences, favorite artists, or culture,” shared Enrique Marquez Paris, Songwriter and Publishing Relations Manager at Spotify. “By bringing together emerging artists, songwriters, and producers from different parts of the world, The Passport Sessions give a rare glimpse into the songwriting process, showing firsthand how music and travel can inspire new connections and, ultimately, new art.”

We’re kicking off the series with “From Miami to Medellín,” which features Andy Clay and maye taking off from Florida and touching down in Colombia to meet and collaborate with Juan Duque and Aria Vega.

So what was the experience like? Aria, maye, and Andy share details.

How did your culture influence the song that you created during the inaugural Spotify Passport Sessions song camp?

maye: I’d like to think that we each added our own flavor to the song. It was definitely a challenge to make this song and see how all of our influences coexisted.

Aria: The language and expressions used in the song are a real part of how we express ourselves in Colombia. Afrobeats are also really popular on the Caribbean coast, so it was cool to have a little bit of influence from that.

Andy: The song we did was a perfect mix of the different flavors of all the writers and producers involved in the creative process. A little bit of afro, urbano, and pop defines the musical essence of our song.

What did you learn about yourself from this experience? What did you learn from your collaborators?

maye: I learned how to go with the flow and allow the song to unfold. From my collaborators, it was inspiring to see how everyone came up with ideas on the spot.

Aria: I learned to step out of my comfort zone. I usually work with two producers that know me and my taste in music so well that I don’t have to communicate what I like and don’t like. I also rarely work with songwriters. It was nice to meet and communicate with other people and learn from their talent, culture, and artistry. I also learned how they perceive a song from their artistry. That sounds simple, but it’s a whole world of melodies, harmonies, language, expressions, culture—it’s a lot.

Andy: I learned about the incredible music Aria and Juan are doing. I was already aware of the incredible job maye was doing with her project. I really enjoyed having three artists who were so different but at the same time so connected with the same energy, while writing our song.

How does travel impact both production choices and the songs you write?

maye: Traveling is a way to keep me inspired by absorbing whatever culture, sights, and traditions the place has to offer.

Aria: Travel impacts the songs I write because getting to know new places, their traditions, foods, their way of speaking, and overall culture is really inspiring. 

Andy: It has a great impact. Being in a different city with different weather, food, and musical influences give you another perspective on what we do!

 

The next time you’re flying with Delta, check out The Passport Sessions, located in the ‘Series’ section on your seatback entertainment screen. If you’re landlocked, you can still check out some of Andy and maye’s journey below.

It’s Time To Unlock Your Playlist In a Bottle From 2023 (and Make a New One for Next Year)

January 4, 2024

playlist in a bottle graphic image depicting bottles, rice cooker, snow globr, and dumpster

Quick pulse check: What’s your mood, your inspiration, and your mindset as you kick off 2024? Does it match your feelings from a year ago? 

Last year we introduced “Playlist in a Bottle,” giving listeners a chance to capture the songs that resonated with them at that moment in time and seal it away for one year. The interactive in-app experience is the perfect time capsule to remember and reflect on the music you loved, and how your taste may have evolved over the past 365 days. If you’re one of the millions of Spotify listeners who participated then, today is the day to unlock your “Playlist in a Bottle” from last year. 

Here’s how

  • Visit spotify.com/playlistinabottle on your mobile device.
  • Choose “Claim Your Playlist” to see which songs were sealed in your musical time capsule. 
  • Save and listen to your complete 2023 Playlist in a Bottle. You only have until January 31!

Now it’s time to create a new Playlist in a Bottle to open in 2025. This experience is open to all Spotify listeners—whether you made one last year or this is your first time checking out the experience. This time around, you’ll answer questions like “what song brings out my alter-ego” and “what song describes my relationship status” to curate your playlist. You can also select where you want to store your playlist from a series of objects, and write a note to your future self.

Make your new Playlist in a Bottle

  • Visit spotify.com/playlistinabottle on your mobile device.
  • Select where you want to store your playlist. Choose from an actual bottle, a snow globe, a flip phone, a tiny bird’s nest, a rice cooker, or even a dumpster!
  • Complete a series of song-inspired prompts like “a song that reminds you of your favorite person,” “a song your great-grandkids will be confused about,” and “a song you put your friends on to.” 
  • Leave a note for your future self, capturing something you want to remember about this moment when your capsule is delivered next year.
  • Finally, “seal” your musical time capsule and post your #PlaylistInABottle share card to your preferred social handles.

phones depicting the playlist in a bottle user experience

Only time will tell if you’ll love or laugh at your song choices. You have until January 31 to seal your picks. Visit spotify.com/playlistinabottle for more. 

This experience is available in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, UAE, U.S., and Vietnam.

And you can find Playlist in a Bottle in the following languages: English, English-GB, Portuguese, Portuguese-BR, French-CA, Spanish-LATAM, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish-ES, Turkish, Japanese, Czech, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese-Traditional, Korean, and Bahasa Indonesia.

Spotify To Continue Its Service in Uruguay

December 12, 2023

We’re pleased to share that Spotify will remain available in Uruguay and will continue to give artists the opportunity to live off their art. Meanwhile millions of fans will still have the chance to enjoy and be inspired by their favorite artists.

The Uruguayan government has demonstrated that it recognizes the value Spotify provides to local artists, songwriters, and fans. The clarification to the recent changes in music copyright law means that the rightsholders—to whom Spotify already pays roughly 70% of every dollar it generates for music—should be responsible for these costs. 

For our users and subscribers in Uruguay, this is what it means:

For Spotify Premium subscribers: Make sure your payment details are up-to-date here so that you continue getting the best audio experience and listening to music on demand, without interruptions and with offline listening. 

For Spotify Free users: Nothing will change. You’ll be able to continue to stream your favorite artists, podcasts, and playlists.

Spotify will continue its operations in Uruguay, connecting artists with fans and supporting local industry growth.

For more information on the global streaming economy, the players, and the process, visit our website Loud & Clear.

Spotify continuará su servicio en Uruguay

December 12, 2023

Nos complace compartir que Spotify seguirá disponible en Uruguay y podrá seguir brindando a los artistas la oportunidad de vivir de su arte y a miles de millones de fans la oportunidad de disfrutar e inspirarse con su música.

El gobierno uruguayo ha demostrado que reconoce el valor que Spotify brinda a los artistas locales, compositores y fans. La aclaración de los recientes cambios en la ley de derechos de autor de la música significa que los titulares de los derechos – a quienes Spotify ya paga aproximadamente el 70% de cada dólar que genera por la música – deben asumir la responsabilidad de estos costos.

Para nuestros usuarios y suscriptores en Uruguay, esto es lo que significa:

Para los suscriptores de Spotify Premium, asegúrate de que tus datos de pago estén actualizados aquí para continuar obteniendo la mejor experiencia de audio y escuchando música a demanda, sin interrupciones y sin conexión.

Para los usuarios gratuitos, no cambia nada y podrás continuar escuchando tus artistas, podcasts y playlists favoritos.

Spotify continuará sus operaciones en Uruguay, conectando artistas con fans y apoyando el crecimiento de la industria local.

Para obtener más información sobre la economía global del streaming, los participantes y el proceso, visita nuestro sitio web Loud & Clear.

Spotify Is Being Pushed Out of Uruguay

December 1, 2023

UPDATE 12/12/2023: Spotify will remain available in Uruguay and will continue to give artists the opportunity to live off their art. Meanwhile millions of fans still have the chance to enjoy and be inspired by their favorite artists. To learn more, click here for the most up-to-date information.

Unfortunately, Spotify will begin to phase out its service in Uruguay effective January 1, 2024, and fully cease service by February.

The government of Uruguay recently passed a budget bill that includes dramatic changes to the way music works in the country (the Rendición de Cuentas). Spotify already pays nearly 70% of every dollar it generates from music to the record labels and publishers that represent and pay artists and songwriters and has contributed more than $40B to date. The changes in this bill could force Spotify to pay twice for the same songs and unless the government makes it clear that record labels and publishers to whom we pay that ~70% should bear the responsibility for these costs, this will make our business of connecting artists and fans unsustainable. 

We want to continue giving artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by it. However, at this stage, Spotify has no choice but to stop being available in Uruguay.

For our users and subscribers in Uruguay, this is what today’s news means for you:

We will stop billing Spotify Premium subscribers in December, and you will be able to enjoy your last full month of Premium. After this, you will be moved to a Free account until the service is suspended on February 1st. You can check your billing date here. After December 28, it won’t be possible to start a new subscription and after February 1st, Spotify will not be available in Uruguay. 

We are also contacting artists and creators directly about what this means for them. 

For more information on the global streaming economy, the players, and the process, visit our website Loud & Clear.

P!nk Takes the Helm as This Month’s EQUAL Global Artist

August 8, 2023

With more than 20 years in music, P!nk has cemented herself as a powerful force. She racked up so many top singles that she filled a greatest hits album just 10 years into her solo career, and her passionate fans have helped her sell out arenas around the globe.

Since her debut, she’s released nine studio albums—2023’s TRUSTFALL is her latest—and received 21 Grammy nominations, and she took home three of those awards. P!nk has always pushed boundaries to emerge as an artist with a strong message that empowers women. Her advocacy is just one reason she’s our August pick for EQUAL Global Artist of the Month.

Spotify’s EQUAL Global Music Program started in 2021 with the aim of contributing to gender equity in the music industry by amplifying and celebrating the work of women creators around the world. As a Global Ambassador, P!nk adorns the cover of our EQUAL Global playlist, and her hit single “TRUSTFALL” is featured in the top spot of the playlist.

For the Record chatted with the award-winning artist to learn what it’s like to be a part of EQUAL and how she’s breaking down barriers for women in the music industry.

The thing that excites me most about being a part of EQUAL is…

That I believe in equal representation for everyone in all walks of life, regardless of your gender, who you love, or how you identify. Having strong and inspiring women leaders in all industries, and especially in music, is important because it shows our children what’s possible. It inspires their dreams and aspirations of who they can become. I am so grateful and humbled that I can play a small role in the evolution of future generations. 

As an artist, to me, women’s representation means…

When I was a little girl, I looked up to my favorite female artists like Madonna and Mary J. Blige, who were not only talented and successful but pushed artistic boundaries and were unapologetic and fierce with their messages. It’s so important that women are an equal part of the artistic conversation at all levels of the music industry—as artists, executives, directors, choreographers, studio engineers, etc., because we have a different way of seeing things, expressing ourselves, and understanding and leading the world. If we want our little girls to be inspired and believe they can do these things too, women need equal representation to show them the way.

The artists who have most inspired me are… 

There are so many. So obviously it’s hard to choose. Cher, Madonna, Debbie Harry, and Bette Midler. Bette Midler comes to mind because she, to me, is one of the most incredible entertainers. You can tell when someone really loves what they do. And to me, Bette is a triple threat: singer, actress, dancer. . . well, a quadruple threat—she’s also a comedian. I’ve watched her walk into a room, and she’s so incredibly charming and she’s so joyful that she has the entire room eating out of the palm of her hand. And she does that onstage. When I go and see somebody perform, I want to know that they love it. I want to know that their heart is in it. I want to feel like I’m getting to know the actual person who’s onstage. And I don’t think anybody does that like Bette Midler. I love her.

A woman artist that I’m excited about is… 

Brandi Carlile. I have been a fan of Brandi’s since her EP came out, Eye of the Needle. Her voice is very, very, very, very special and I am a fan of a singer that you can feel their soul. I like when her voice cracks and it’s imperfect and she has so much f*@kin’ swag. I love her so much and she plays the sh!t out of a guitar. She’s kind. She’s been working her ass off for years and years and years and years, and she’s finally hit this place in her career where people are giving her the love that she deserves. I love singing with her. I love being her friend. I love walking the earth at the same time that she does. I love what she’s doing for the industry. She’s really bringing women together and she’s out and proud and she’s a mama. And I couldn’t love her more. And I get to tour with her soon because I’m a lucky b*tch.

The idea behind your newest song, “TRUSTFALL,” is…

I sort of went to the studio with [the lyrics] “it’s a trust fall, baby.” Just the idea that, in today’s world, it requires so much of us to feel safe and to get out of bed and to leave the house and to love and be who you really are. And it feels like a trust fall. It feels like you’re falling backwards and you don’t know where the ground is. I love performing it live because it’s a different-style song than what I do a lot of the time. And it’s so amped and it’s at such a perfect point in the show—it just feels like letting go. It feels like why I used to go to raves. You want that moment where the music comes on, it’s inside of your entire body, and you can’t do anything but move and let go of all the stuff you’ve been carrying around. And that’s what “TRUSTFALL” feels like to me. So I’m grateful to have written a song like that. And it’s a f*@king banger.

Get ready to turn the volume up and sing along with P!nk, and other amazing talents, in our EQUAL Global playlist.

Nearly 2 Billion Music Discoveries Happen on Spotify Every Day—Here’s What Listeners Are Finding

July 20, 2023

From personalized Niche Mixes to our AI-powered DJ, Spotify is constantly helping listeners discover new music to add to their queues. In fact, what fans love most about Spotify is our array of features that are specifically curated for each person’s audio taste.

We took a journey of our own to understand how Spotify listeners explore new music. What we found spanned listeners across generations, and music across decades. 

“As humans, we are wired to explore, to seek the new and the unexpected, and to learn and expand and deepen our understanding of the world,” said Dr. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and director of the Greater Good Science Center. “This quest for discovery is one of our greatest species-defining strengths.”

When we looked into new discoveries across generations, our data found that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are discovering music at different rates than baby boomers. While baby boomers actually discover music more often than Gen Z in the U.S., globally, Gen Z and Gen Alpha take the lead. 

“It doesn’t surprise me that Gen Z leads music discovery in the rest of the world since younger people are actively seeking new musical forms to change society and the status quo,” explained Dr. Keltner. 

We were curious what Dr. Keltner thought of discoveries among Gen Z listeners. “Today young people face many challenges,” he said. “The science of music speaks to how deeply listening and discovering music can counter this for young people. There’s the awe of finding something new; how music can lead young people to feel calmer, both in mind and body; and how music surfaces what we most care about in life.”

Baby boomers are still interested in discovering new songs. Dr. Keltner thinks this could be a product of their feeling more lonely, stressed, connected, and curious. “But discovering new music can bring us a sense of connection and contentment rather than stress, a sense of identity within a community, and awe and curiosity.”

And some generations are offering the music of their youth to younger listeners. Well, the music of Gen X’s youth, specifically. Gen Z is dipping their toes into more nostalgic songs.

Music fans looking to discover more nostalgic tracks or feel connected to past generations can check out some of our Niche Mixes like Old School Rap Mix, Throwback R&B Mix, and 70s Disco Mix.

“In many parts of the world we lack intergenerational contact. It is increasingly hard to understand and share in the emotions and thoughts of people in different groups than our own,” reasoned Dr. Keltner. “The kinds of music discoveries you found—of boomers discovering new music and Gen Z and Gen Alpha exploring music more from the past—suggests that music can be a powerful way to enhance intergenerational understanding and, more generally, foster empathy across differences.” 

We also know that other factors drive music discovery on Spotify, including, of course, cultural moments like television shows, movies, video game competitions, and much more. 

But discovery is also driven by less-obvious moments. In our research, we found that people tend to stream happier music (measured by the average valence of music streamed, which describes the musical “positiveness” conveyed by a track) more on Mondays than on the rest of the week. Dr. Keltner had an explanation for this, too.

“We listen to music for many reasons: to find peace and contentment, insights into the struggles of life, inspiration, and a sense of identity. Mondays often present challenges as we move from the weekend to the work week: stress, questions about what will inspire us that week, and why we are doing the work we are doing. Music on Mondays provides windows into answers to these aspects of shifting to Monday. 

Mondays are also when Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist, a weekly dose of recommended songs from Spotify, is refreshed. Though the playlist is personalized to each listener, songs most frequently discovered on Discover Weekly include “Glass Jaw” by chokecherry and “Heart of Gold (with Bon Iver)” by Ilsey.

Many podcasts have also become favorites to start the week. The meditation-focused The Sleep Zone Podcast is one of the most popular podcasts streamed first thing Monday mornings, giving Spotify fans some zen as they face the week ahead.

Artists like KAROL G, Shakira, and Miley Cyrus are distinctive to Mondays, when we may need an energy boost, but we found different artists and playlists trending on Sundays. Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, and SZA help us get into our feels, while “Sad Country Mix” is the most streamed Niche Mix on Sunday nights. And it’s all about that good night’s sleep before the rush of a new week kicks off: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by Adelmar Borrego is the most distinctive track streamed on Sunday evenings globally. 

From activating Smart Shuffle in your playlists to going on a ride with your personalized AI DJ, there are countless ways for Spotify to lead you to new music. Give them a try on your next listen.