Spotify is globally rolling out Blend, which invites two users (with a Spotify Free or Premium plan) to merge their musical tastes into one curated playlist.
Officially out of beta, the experience now includes new cover art to easily identify each person’s song choices, test match scores to compare listening preferences, and data stories for sharing across social media. Introduced in June alongside Spotify’s Only You global campaign, Blend is updated daily and adapts based on what listeners stream.
“The fun thing about music is that it can take you to a time and place, and you can relive those shared moments and experiences with someone else through a song,” Spotify associate designer Rosie Maharjan said in a statement. “Blend is a simple way to show someone you’re thinking about them. It’s small but so thoughtful and offers an avenue to get to know new friends or catch up with old ones.”
To get started, navigate to Search > Made for You > Create a Blend > Invite. Choose someone to make music with, and once they accept, Spotify automatically generates custom cover art and a tracklist full of songs that combine your listening preferences and tastes.
Friends and family aren’t Spotify’s only collaborators, though. The audio streaming platform has teamed with Philips Hue to integrate light and music. Available now to Philips Hue App 4 users, a new algorithm analyzes Spotify songs to make connected lights flash, dim, brighten, and change color along with the beat, mood, genre, and tempo. Free to use with the Philips Hue app, you will need a Hue Bridge and color-capable branded lights, as well as any Spotify-compatible device (a speaker, smartphone, or computer will do).
