Khruangbin, again? I quit Spotify for a month to escape samey algorithms – this is what I learned

After being served the same artists again and again, my tastes were narrowing – so I tried vinyl, iPods and radio to see if I could rediscover the joy of finding new musicGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailIf you use music to set or fix your mood, Spotify is a tantalising tool. Feeling sad? Cry to your personalised “Depress Sesh Mix”. In a romantic crisis? Stew in your own “Situationship Mix”. As I write this, I’m listening to Spotify’s Daylist, a mix that refreshes every few hours based on my own listening habits. Today’s vibe is “funky beats roller skating tuesday early morning mix”. At 120bpm, the algorithm knows I need some energetic house to roll from my bed to my desk.The problem with this listening experience isn’t just the creepy AI-driven intimacy of it all, more that the same songs are recycled in a predictable loop. Spotify’s algorithm has anaesthetised artists I once enjoyed. Every time I hear the slippery psychedelic bass of Khruangbin slinking into one of my playlists, or flow in seamlessly from another artist’s radio, I violently hit skip.Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

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