I once sought answers from the doctor about when I would start feeling better. His shrug left me in uncertainty. After leaving the consultation room, I put on my headphones and opened Spotify. As usual, it prompted me to listen to a familiar album, and I chose the Cocteau Twins record that felt like a warm bath. When the album ended, Spotify seamlessly transitioned to their "radio," a mix of similar tracks. This familiarity provided a sense of comfort in a time of turmoil.

Remembering the Past: The Joy of Discovering New Music

Back when I worked on a newspaper's culture desk, I spent countless hours eagerly searching for the best new music. I went to gigs, scoured forums, and explored record-label rosters. Finding that exciting new music was like opening a door to a whole new world. But now, with Spotify's algorithmic model, it felt bleak and synthetic in comparison. I feared that these algorithms would make my old ways of discovering music obsolete.In the summer of 2021, I caught Covid and was left with endless fatigue. Regular work became impossible, and I resigned and moved in with my parents. Days of inactivity were filled with an unknown dread. Discovering new music seemed impossible due to my lack of energy and the painful reminder of the life I had left. But listening to familiar music, suggested by Spotify, became a constant source of comfort.

The Power of Spotify's Data

We only see the surface of Spotify, with albums and tracks presented as "for you" or with benign titles like "daylist." But beneath the surface, there is a torrent of harvested data. It includes preferred genres, listening times, devices used, and even how long we listen before skipping. All this data combines to offer us music we are likely to like. With a user base of 626 million, it seems this approach works. The annual Wrapped summary on social media shows how much time we spend listening to certain artists or genres.However, after a while, I realized that these algorithms had smoothed over my anxieties and almost eroded my motivation to find truly new music. The kind of music that reawakens our senses. I wondered what Spotify thought of me – was I indecisive or boring? The algorithms know how we listen but not why.

Health and Spotify: A Changing Relationship

Three years have passed, and my health is improving. Spotify was a lifeline when I needed it most, and I am grateful. But now, as I try to regain the joys stolen by fatigue, the algorithms are holding me back. The company's marketing focuses on "discovery," but it's not the same thrilling adventure I used to have. I used to buy albums just because of the cover, and sometimes they were bad. But there was that one time years ago when I went to an experimental Japanese music night and was introduced to a whole new scene.Spotify takes us on a cautious, calculated, and dull journey. It's more about maximizing customer engagement than truly discovering new music. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been influenced by these algorithms. Life often steers us away from our passions, and the algorithms are quick to take over. But there are steps we can take.

Breaking Free from the Algorithm

Spotify does have some excellent human-made playlists. Seek them out. And don't forget the world outside the app. Your local record-store employee has their favorite album of the year – ask them. Music venues are still hosting gigs – go and see someone new. The radio still exists – listen.In the past few months, I've tried all these things. After hearing the Oklahoma band Chat Pile on an independent radio show, I was introduced to the noise-rock genre. It's aggressive, unsettling, and brilliant – not something I would have expected. These simple steps have been a quiet revolution for me.We need to be aware of how algorithms can shape our musical experiences. But we also have the power to break free and explore the world of music in new ways.