New Books in Economics Liz Pelly, "Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist" (Atria, 2025)
May 7, 2025
Liz Pelly, a music journalist and author of "Mood Machine," discusses the troubling impact of Spotify on artists, particularly those in niche genres. Joined by Jozefien Vanharpe, a professor of intellectual property law, and Nick Yule, head of legal at AEPO Artis, they delve into how curated playlists benefit streaming services at the expense of musicians. The conversation also touches on the inequities in music revenue, the role of ghost artists, and the challenges faced by independent musicians in the digital age.
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Playlist Evolution and Commercialization
- Playlists evolved from radios but became tools to boost user engagement on streaming services.
- They shifted from listener-focused curation to prioritize commercial metrics and frictionless consumption.
Spotify's Ghost Music Tactics
- Spotify fills some playlists with ghost or stock music to save money and boost streams.
- This diminishes artists' roles, as listeners are served mass-produced tracks rather than authentic works.
Cooperative Alternatives to Streaming
- Musicians organizing collectively can build alternative, fairer digital platforms for music.
- Cooperative efforts challenge streaming's streaming economy and promote sustainable artist support.
