Ashkan’s Reviews > Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist > Status Update
Ashkan
is 22% done
“This was, in part, the goal: if Spotify could shape user behavior around coming to the platform for certain playlists, certain moods, certain vibes, then it would maintain control over the user experience. If a user comes to the platform every night for a playlist called “Chill Vibes,” “Ibiza Lounge,” or “Fresh & Chill,” it matters very little what is actually found on those playlists.”
— Jun 13, 2026 08:46AM
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Ashkan’s Previous Updates
Ashkan
is 30% done
“It feels fitting that Spotify was originally imagined as an advertising platform, because in many cases, when you press “play” on a calm-down, wellness-vibes, or whatever mood playlist, what you’re hearing is something that was cranked out by someone making music for an advertising library.”
— Jun 20, 2026 02:00AM
Ashkan
is 26% done
“Spotify is a cultural force right now,” the affiliate went on. “If I have a kid and I’m trying to teach them about the history of ambient music, and go to Spotify… more often than not, what you’ll find is PFC artists. I can’t teach my kid about jazz if they’re listening to, like, ‘Soft Jazz in the Background.’ ”
— Jun 14, 2026 10:06PM
Ashkan
is 16% done
“I remember he was like, ‘Apple Music, Amazon, these aren’t our competitors. Our only competitor is silence.’”
— Jun 07, 2026 09:38PM
Ashkan
is 10% done
“Spotify had not even launched in the U.S. yet, and it was already becoming clear that saving the major record labels was not exactly the same as saving music.”
— Jun 04, 2026 09:27AM
