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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

The New Challenge for the Music Industry: From Finding Songs to Choosing the Right Music

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • The abundance of digital music has shifted the challenge for listeners from finding songs to choosing work that feels personal and meaningful.
  • Spotify says human editorial curation and local knowledge can help listeners navigate the vast number of available choices.
  • The platform also uses storytelling and its Editorial Watch Feed to provide context about music, artists and cultural experiences.

In the age of endless digital music, the hardest part may no longer be finding a song. It is finding one that feels personal, relevant and able to reach the listener emotionally.

That abundance of choice can leave listeners unsure where to turn. Spotify has positioned itself as a link between musicians’ work and the ears of potential listeners, while emerging artists often need a single breakthrough or moment of exposure to establish themselves in the mainstream.

Editorially curated playlists can provide that first foothold. Boon Ken Wong, Spotify’s head of editorial for Southeast Asia, said human curators are increasingly important because they bring local experience and knowledge to the process of deciding what deserves attention.

There are many choices out there, and that actually makes the process of finding music more difficult. I think that is why human curation is now more important than ever. The question we need to answer is what actually matters. As human curators, we can bring local experience and knowledge.

· Boon Ken WongSpotify’s head of editorial for Southeast Asia, speaking at the IdeaTalk event in Jakarta.

“There are many choices out there, and that actually makes the process of finding music more difficult. I think that is why human curation is now more important than ever. The question we need to answer is what actually matters. As human curators, we can bring local experience and knowledge,” Wong said at the IdeaTalk event in Jakarta.

Spotify’s approach goes beyond assembling lists of popular songs. It also uses storytelling, drawing on the background of a work, its cultural roots and the musician’s emotional journey to build a stronger connection with listeners. Wong cited the Editorial Watch Feed, which explores the stories behind musical phenomena, including Thai rock through the experience of editor Touch.

“What we have done is use a storytelling format. In this day and age, the context of music helps listeners make decisions,” Wong said.

What we have done is use a storytelling format. In this day and age, the context of music helps listeners make decisions.

· Boon Ken WongWong described Spotify’s Editorial Watch Feed and its use of context around music.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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