Neil Young is planning to make his music available on Spotify again, after abstaining from the platform for over two years.
In January 2022, Young made the decision to remove all of his works from the largest streaming platform in the world. This was done in opposition to Joe Rogan, whose highly popular podcast was only available on Spotify.
Many people criticized Rogan for sharing false information about Covid vaccines on his podcast. This included Young, as well as 270 scientists and healthcare professionals who stated that Rogan’s misinformation was a major problem and Spotify is responsible for enabling it on their platform.
Spotify was criticized by Young for being a platform that spreads dangerous misinformation about Covid for financial gain. He suggested that Spotify must choose between hosting either Joe Rogan or him, as they cannot support both. As a result, Young’s music was removed from Spotify and a spokesperson expressed disappointment but still hoped for his return in the future.
In January 2022, Rogan expressed his regret, acknowledging his mistakes and stating that he will strive to include a variety of perspectives from experts. Similarly, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek also issued an apology, emphasizing the company’s responsibility to offer a fair platform for information from trusted medical and scientific sources.
Beginning in February of this year, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast is now available on platforms beyond Spotify. The host inked a new contract for several years, reportedly valued at $250 million (£196 million), which permits the podcast to be shared on other channels such as Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music.
Young has changed his mind and will now make his music available on Spotify, instead of being against streaming services.
The author wrote on his website that he has made a decision to return to Spotify after noticing that Apple and Amazon have implemented the same podcast features that he had previously disagreed with. He cannot simply leave these platforms like he did with Spotify because it would limit his music’s availability to listeners.
Raymond Young, a well-known advocate for superior audio, who previously launched a competitor to Apple’s iPod, voices his disapproval of Spotify’s playback quality. He refers to Spotify as “the number one provider of low-resolution music globally” and expresses his disappointment that their platform offers less quality than what he has crafted. Despite this, he wishes enjoyment for the millions of Spotify users listening to his music. However, he mentions that the full sound experience he intended may not be fully captured on the platform. He calls upon Spotify to consider introducing a high-definition option and recommends alternatives like Qobuz and Tidal to his fans.
At 78, Young remains a vocal advocate, as he was known for his renowned songs denouncing war, the US government, environmental destruction, and other social issues. Last November, he refused to use X (previously known as Twitter) when its owner, Elon Musk, shared a tweet with antisemitic content. The musician expressed his disapproval and wrote, “Instead of hate, Tesla should support love.” He also criticized Ticketmaster in 2023 for causing distress to artists by allowing scalpers and overcharging fans for add-ons. According to Young, concert tours are no longer enjoyable and have lost their previous charm.
However, this April, he will be embarking on a tour organized by Live Nation, which is Ticketmaster’s parent company. He and his band Crazy Horse will be performing in 16 locations throughout North America.
Young is getting ready for the upcoming release of his live album, Fu##in Up, which was recorded in November and primarily features songs from his 1990 album Ragged Glory. Following the recording, Young wrote about his experience dealing with arthritis in his hand and how he found a way to play without pain, using no medication. He describes the final performance as a truly unforgettable experience and expresses his satisfaction with the captured show. Young also notes that the setlist consists mainly of his older songs accompanied by his band, the Horse. He reflects on feeling particularly great during the performance, with a newfound sense of freedom and ease in his vocals. Young recalls it as one of the best nights in recent memory, if not ever.
In February, Young released Dume, a collection of material recorded with Crazy Horse during sessions for 1975’s Zuma. It follows Before and After, an album of solo acoustic rerecordings of older Young songs, released in December 2023.
Source: theguardian.com
