Mood Machine : The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist – Liz Pelly

Liz Pelly’s Mood Machine dives deep into the rise of Spotify and its transformative—and often controversial—role in reshaping how we consume music. Through meticulous reporting and over 100 interviews with industry insiders, musicians, and former Spotify employees, Pelly uncovers the hidden costs of the streaming era. The book reveals how Spotify’s algorithm-driven playlists and data-centric strategies prioritize engagement over artistry, squeezing profits while sidelining creators.

Pelly traces Spotify’s origins as a Swedish startup aiming to compete with piracy, evolving into a corporate giant that now dictates musical trends and listener habits. She critiques the platform’s “two-sided marketplace,” where listeners trade data for convenience and artists struggle to survive in a system that undervalues their work. The book also exposes practices like payola-like playlist placements and the rise of low-cost “ghost artists” churned out for background listening.

Amid the critique, Pelly highlights grassroots efforts by artists and activists pushing for fairer models. She argues that Spotify’s dominance has flattened music into “mood-based” content, stripping it of cultural and emotional depth. The narrative balances sharp analysis with hope, urging readers to reconsider what music means in an age of infinite choice.

The book doesn’t just dwell on problems—it offers a roadmap for change. Pelly advocates for collective action to revalue music, emphasizing sustainable systems that prioritize creativity over algorithms. Her work is a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the future of art in a digitized world.

Blending investigative rigor with cultural commentary, Mood Machine is essential reading for music lovers, industry professionals, and critics of tech monopolies. Pelly’s passion for music shines through, making this both a damning exposé and a heartfelt plea to preserve art’s humanity.