Why are we still on Spotify? Spotify sits atop the global charts today in terms of its monthly active userbase, servicing 640 million listeners as of January while eclipsing notables like YouTube Music, Soundcloud, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Pandora. Still, when its grave falterings are spelled out, their obviousness makes the app’s continued success increasingly confusing, if not borderline baffling.

TikTok’s impact on musicians is old news, drawing ire from some while drastically benefiting others. Although differences in disposable resources mean the playing field is never entirely even, the ease of posting and subsequent discovery serve as a force of semi-democratization regarding musical outreach — if you manage to score arbitrary algorithmic success, that is. 

Written By: Allen Hale | Photos By: B ianca Sifredi Released by record label ¼ Compañía Discográfica on Sept. 25, 2024, sunlid’s debut...