Spotify is now giving users more control over their Release Radar playlist, one of its most popular weekly music discovery features. Up to five new customization options are rolling out right now.
What’s Changing With Release Radar
Release Radar is Spotify’s playlist generated by an algorithm that refreshes every Friday with new music based on your listening history. Previously, you had no say in what appeared there — it was entirely up to Spotify’s algorithm.
That’s about to change. Spotify is introducing listener controls that allow you to influence the playlist before the algorithm does its magic. As reported by The Verge, you can now narrow the playlist by genre and prioritize artists who are new to you. This essentially encourages the algorithm to take chances on names you haven’t heard before.
You can apply up to five filters at once. For instance, you could say, “Show me new releases in indie rock from artists I’ve never heard of.” This change marks a significant improvement over the previous one-size-fits-all method.
Discover Weekly Is Getting Updates Too
Release Radar isn’t the only playlist getting a makeover. Android Authority reports that Spotify is also testing new filters for Discover Weekly, its other major recommendation playlist updated every Monday. While the exact changes are still in testing, genre filtering seems to be part of the update.
Imagine it’s like asking a friend who makes mix CDs: instead of relying solely on their taste, you can now tell them, “I’m really into jazz this month,” and they’ll take that into account.
| Spotify — By The Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Ticker | SPOT |
| Stock Price | $478.14 (+0.43%) |
| CEO | Daniel Ek |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Sector | Streaming |
| Max Filters (Release Radar) | 5 simultaneous options |
Why Spotify Is Doing This Now
Spotify’s algorithm-driven playlists have been both a selling point and a source of frustration. Although many users appreciate how Discover Weekly and Release Radar introduce them to new artists, some have complained that recommendations often get stuck in a loop. The algorithm tends to reflect your recent listening rather than exploring new genres or artists.
By allowing users to request genre variety or “new to me” artists, Spotify is helping folks break free from that cycle. You won’t need to change your listening habits drastically just to get different recommendations.
This move also positions Spotify competitively. Apple Music and YouTube Music have been enhancing their recommendation systems. Offering users more control is a feature that’s tough for competitors to replicate quickly.
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you’ve ever opened Release Radar on a Friday and thought, “These are all artists I already know” or “Why isn’t there any hip-hop?”, these new controls directly address those concerns. Instead of passively waiting for the algorithm to guess your preferences, you can now steer it in the right direction.
The result? Your Friday playlist could feel fresher and more exciting if you prioritize unfamiliar names. Or, you could stick to one or two genres you love, making it more focused and satisfying. Both approaches are valid, and Spotify is finally letting you choose how you want to discover music.
There’s no indication that these controls will come at an extra cost. They seem to be rolling out as standard features, though Spotify hasn’t confirmed whether they’ll be available to free-tier users or just Premium subscribers.
What People Are Saying
“Finally. My Release Radar has been stuck recommending the same 10 indie folk artists for two years. The ‘new to me’ filter alone is going to change everything.”
“Interested to see how this actually works in practice. Spotify’s genre tags are notoriously messy — ‘indie’ covers everything from bedroom pop to stadium rock. The execution is what matters here.”
What To Watch
- Discover Weekly filter rollout: The new filters for Discover Weekly are still being tested. Keep an eye out for a broader announcement in the coming weeks, likely coinciding with a Monday playlist refresh.
- Free vs. Premium availability: Spotify hasn’t specified which subscription tiers will get access to the new Release Radar controls. That detail is definitely worth monitoring.
- Competitor response: Apple Music and YouTube Music might feel pressured to offer similar features if Spotify’s update gains popularity. Both services have invested in algorithm-driven playlists and could respond with their own transparency options.
- User feedback loop: How Spotify incorporates user filter choices back into its overall algorithm is still an open question. Your genre preferences could influence recommendations across the app, which might change how the platform learns your taste.
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
