The algorithm failed music
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on how to break free of the algorithm and discover things you…
You need to listen to the brutally oppressive I’ve Seen All I Need to See
There are only a handful of albums that I think qualify as genuinely scary. You Won’t Get What You Want by Daughters, and Swans To Be Kind both immediately come…
Roland is finally honoring its legacy instead of just cashing in on it
The Roland TR-1000 rhythm generator. If the only thing Roland ever released was the TR-808, the company would still deserve a place in the music gear hall of fame. The…
Daniel Ek stepping down changes nothing for Spotify
Spotify has found itself the target of artists’ ire for many reasons over the years: poor audio quality, terrible payouts, giving Joe Rogan millions of dollars… the list goes on.…
Music’s biggest labels are weeks away from major AI licensing deals
Taylor Swift’s label, Republic Records, is a division of Universal Music Group, one of the two labels reportedly close to an AI deal. Universal Music and Warner Music, record labels…
Roland’s TR-1000 is its first analog drum machine in over 40 years
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator Roland has largely decided sit out the analog synth renaissance of the last decade. But it’s (belatedly) making amends for that error with the launch of…
Martin Shkreli can be sued for copying Wu-Tang’s one-of-a-kind record
Wu-Tang’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin Disgraced pharma bro, convicted felon, and perennial challenger for America’s Most Hateable Man, Martin Shkreli will have to face a lawsuit for making…
YouTube’s new AI experiment adds AI hosts to your music
YouTube is adding AI hosts to radio and mixes in the YouTube Music app as part of a new test available through its new Labs program. The hosts are designed…
Spotify reintegrates with Algoriddim’s djay
Spotify x Algoriddim, is back. After pulling support for third-party DJ apps, Spotify Premium subscribers can once again log in and start streaming their playlists and queueing up requests directly…
Spotify Lossless is an inconvenient improvement
If you listen to music the way a lot of people do these days – with a pair of wireless earbuds, from a Bluetooth speaker, or just blaring directly out…