Paying Spotify Users Will Have Distinct Play, Shuffle Buttons

Music Streaming Platform, Spotify is totally segregating its play and shuffle controls for Premium subscribers only.

Spotify on Monday disclosed that it is beginning to roll out distinct buttons for the two features in place of the combined play/shuffle button that is currently at the top of playlists and artist pages. Android and iOS devices should begin to experience the adjustment "in the coming weeks."

“This new change will allow you to choose the mode you prefer at the top of playlists and albums and listen to the way you want to,” 

Spotify wrote on its blog. “Whether you love the joy of the unexpected with Shuffle mode, or prefer listening to tunes in order by simply pressing Play, Spotify has you covered.”

Occasionally, musicians who prefer to hear their albums in the original running order have expressed irritation with Spotify's propensity for shuffled tracks.

“We don’t create albums with so much care and thought into our track listing for no reason,” Adele tweeted last year. 

Due to this, Spotify now by default shows the conventional play button on album pages rather than the play/shuffle combination. Customers of Spotify Premium will now only see their buttons on the app. 

“From the moment you hit play on Spotify, you decide the way you want to hear your favourite playlists or that new album you’re obsessed with,” the company wrote.

It seems a little absurd that Spotify is suddenly distinguishing between its free and paid offers using buttons and its user interface, yet here we are.

Unfortunately, you still won't be able to play or shuffle any Spotify HiFi tracks. Since announcing its lossless-quality streaming tier approximately 18 months ago, Spotify has not yet made it available to customers. And no, I won't stop bringing it up.