When Spotify feels synthetic, listeners explore elsewhere

By Sukanna Naqvi 

From the social media feeds we scroll to the music we listen to, artificially generated content is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. This shift has caused corporations to treat artists as more dispensable than ever. One of the biggest players normalizing the presence of AI in our everyday is Spotify, causing many long-time users to say goodbye to the platform.

For users, the biggest frustrations are twofold. Spotify neglects to label music on its platform as AI-generated, and its increased use of AI algorithms strips users of the personal experience of playlist-making. In remarks about Spotify’s intentions for 2025, former CEO Daniel Ek said their focus was on increasing efficiency and speed. There have been no clear decisions on how the company plans on moving forward with AI-generated content, leaving listeners and musicians alike concerned about their place on the platform.

Many people are also concerned about Ek’s personal $700 million investments towards AI military weapons technology. Ek sits on the board for Helsing, a German defence firm that is developing AI strike drones. Many long-time Spotify users are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with their subscriptions to Spotify being used to line the pockets of billionaire Ek, when artists on the platform are consistently undercompensated for their work.

Not only are audiences looking to move elsewhere, but many artists have cited Ek’s investments as a reason for pulling their catalogues off the platform as well. As it becomes increasingly obvious that the company was created to prioritize business first and artistry second, many smaller artists are left to navigate the streaming landscape in more creative ways.

Toronto-based musician James MacLean, also known as Kid Cricket, expressed several concerns about the platform’s AI policies. ”I’ve heard so much about Spotify’s stingy strategies and as soon as AI was a viable option, they pounced on it,” he said. MacLean takes issue with software that generates entire songs based on prompts, calling AI-generated music a “horrible amalgamation of other people’s art.”

Maclean is one of several artists who have labelled Spotify as anti-art, citing the platform’s DJ as one of many unsavoury features. “It feels like just another example of the horrible things that Spotify does.” MacLean also added that Ek’s investments in AI drone technology add to his reservations about the platform.

With AI-generated tracks complicating an already fragile streaming economy and with no plans in sight to solve this issue, many listeners are asking: If not Spotify, then where? Where do listeners who wish to make a change go from here? Fortunately, there are several streaming platforms that have smaller user bases but compensate artists better than the major platforms do.

Tidal

One result for users who want to stay within a familiar streaming framework is Tidal, a service that not only compensates artists better than Spotify but also has better sound quality. Tidal pays artists $0.013 per stream, making artists about 13 dollars per thousand streams, as opposed to Spotify, which only compensates artists with $0.003 per stream, meaning artists make 3 dollars for the same amount of listening time. Tidal features all the same new music that Spotify does, with a catalogue of over 110 million songs. The platform also offers several recordings of live sessions. However, if you are looking to listen to older recordings, you may not have as many options as you would using a larger platform like Spotify.

Qobuz

Another great option for listeners looking for more ethical platforms is Qobuz. This ethically oriented option pays a higher royalty fee per stream to artists in comparison to Spotify and other industry giants. A thousand streams on Qobuz would make an artist around 18 dollars. Qobuz also features higher audio quality than Spotify and relies less on algorithms, which allows listeners to keep their profiles personal and find new music independently, without profit-driven recommendations. Qobuz features digital booklets and liner notes, much like the ones that come with the physical purchase of a CD or vinyl record. This allows listeners to learn more about the music they are consuming and the artists they love while also curating their own collections of albums, without buying physical copies — a relief for anyone whose bookshelf is one CD away from structural collapse.

Bandcamp

Bandcamp is a streaming platform built to support artists directly. Fans can buy music and merchandise directly from artists and Bandcamp ensures that most of the revenue goes straight to the musician. Buying merchandise and physical media through this site ensures that the artist is getting more money from their work than they would through a streaming platform. The platform also relies less on algorithms, ensuring the listening experience is more personal than it is on bigger platforms. On Bandcamp, you can also buy digital music. Its catalogue is smaller, but its mission is clearer — and the listening experience feels intentionally human.

Deezer

Deezer is another alternative for those looking for a more transparent streaming option. This platform is great if you are seeking a user interface as similar to Spotify as possible. Deezer features almost as large of a catalogue, with over 120 million songs. The benefit of switching to this streaming platform is that artists receive a higher percentage of royalties than Spotify. A thousand streams on the platform makes artist around 6 dollars, which is double what they make with Spotify’s rates. Deezer ensures that all music entirely or even partially generated by AI is labelled and does not appear on editorial playlists or algorithm-based recommendations. They also do not compensate fraudulent streams on AI-generated music.

Physical Media

Buying CDs, cassettes and records remains one of the best ways to support the musicians you love while avoiding AI-ridden streaming services. Sticking to physical media ensures that the artist sees most — if not all — of the profits. Physical media also makes it so you can curate your collection however you like. The limitation, of course, is that many small artists can’t afford to produce physical formats, so your options may be limited for smaller musicians.

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While AI is currently being incorporated into most industries, art is being severely impacted by its rapid adoption. Multi-billion dollar companies like Spotify have been using AI to make profits for their higher-ups but have given so little to artists themselves, who make a platform like Spotify what it is. This is a growing problem, with no decisive solution. However, there are many things you can do as a listener to support your favourite musicians.

While many artists do not have a choice but to put their work up on massive platforms, you can buy physical media, go see their live shows or stream their music on other platforms that benefit them more.