New year, new upgrades – here are 5 improvements I want Spotify to make in 2026

2025 was great, but 2026 could be even better. These are the upgrades I need to see from Spotify this year.

Spotify is raising its prices to $13 a month for US users, the third price hike in three years

There’s another Spotify price hike on the way, and we can’t say we’re entirely surprised.

‘Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited’: Bandcamp just showed Spotify how easy it is to ban AI slop

Bandcamp just showed Spotify how it’s done, banning ‘any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles’

Don’t like Spotify Messages? These two big upgrades could soon change your mind

You can now see your friends’ listening activity in real time, and send Jam requests with Spotify Messages.

YouTube Music users are furious about AI slop songs –and as a recording musician, I’m angry too

AI slop isn’t made to be listened to: it’s there to trick you – and as a recording musician, I’m angry it’s dominating YouTube Music recommendations

Wish your streaming music sounded more analog? Someone made a Bluetooth-to-cassette live converter, and it’s very cool

YouTuber Julius Makes created a gadget that receives Bluetooth, writes it live to cassette tape, and then plays it back immediately, because why not?

I’ve been a Spotify subscriber for over 10 years, but I’m ditching it for Apple Music in 2026 – here’s why

Apple Music works across multiple platforms and the web, and it lets you build smart playlists – and that’s why I’m quitting Spotify in 2026.