Skip a beat
The Touch Preview setting means no more clicking your way through super long intros or wondering how many years it will take for the beat to drop. From Amy Winehouse to Zappa, press and hold down any track in the app to get a quick peek of your chosen tune. You can then add the track to your library with a simple right swipe, or queue it next by swiping left. You can do this while you’re listening to another track, and Spotify will save your place while you browse.
Mix it up
Every week, zillions of new releases pop up on Spotify from around the world (well, OK - around 3,000). Updated every Friday, new playlist feature Release Radar brings you up to two hours of the newest tracks from the artists you follow and listen to the most, with some new discoveries added in. Want more? Sorting Hat (also updated on Fridays) allows you to browse all the new releases on Spotify in one place. Filter by genre, whether you’re looking for the latest underground darlings or a would-be Avicii searching for brand new big room.
A world of difference
Are the top tunes in Beirut and Brisbane all that different? Do we tend to listen to more music from our native countries or farther afield? And was Budapest by George Ezra actually popular in Hungary? Spotify has distilled data from nearly 1,000 cities for their Musical Map feature, which you can explore by scrolling across a nicely rendered chart. So whether you want an insight into Nordic pop or you genuinely want to know what’s big in Japan, take a look.
Link up
Like most things in life, playlists are better with a friend or 10. Right-click on the selection you want your pals to be able to edit and click “collaborative playlist” to get started, and your #summerbangers2k16 selection will surely get a boost.
The tastemakers’ tips
Everyone from Perez Hilton to President Obama has their own Spotify playlist. Search for your favourite DJs, singers, bands, celebrities and heads of state, and hit follow for weekly selections with a personal touch.
Pace yourself
No more flailing around the park to playlists that don’t quite match your groove: Spotify can adjust the speed of your music to suit your running habits. Just click the Running tab on the side bar, then choose the playlist you want – the app will tailor the tunes to your tempo.
Cover your tracks
Had a cheeky Cheeky Girls binge? Spent Saturday night with Whigfield? Click the arrow next to your name and hit the private session button and your cheesy faves will be visible to you and Spotify only.
Go with the flow
Sudden silence at a party is always awkward, especially when your private conversation suddenly increases by 10,000 decibels. Use the Crossfade tool in Settings > Advanced Settings to make your playlists smoother than a Drake album.