Spotify has begun rolling out lossless audio streaming for its Premium users, addressing long-standing criticism of its sound quality. Starting today, subscribers can access tracks in FLAC format at up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz, with the feature expanding to additional markets in the weeks ahead.
Gustav Gyllenhammar, the company’s vice president of subscriptions, said the team had worked carefully to ensure the rollout balanced sound fidelity with ease of use. “With this update, Premium members will enjoy a clearer, higher-quality listening experience,” he said.
Competing Services Already Offer Lossless
Spotify’s move comes years after its competitors embraced higher-quality formats. Tidal introduced its HiFi tier in 2015, offering CD-quality streaming. Amazon Music HD followed in 2019, giving users a library of CD-quality tracks along with some high-resolution options up to 192 kHz. Apple Music entered the market in 2021 by offering both CD-quality and high-resolution audio to all subscribers at no extra charge.
Since then, competitors have adjusted their offerings: Tidal cut prices, added a free ad-supported tier, and launched HiFi Plus, which includes access to Dolby Atmos, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and MQA-formatted high-resolution tracks.
Artist Backlash Continues
The rollout of lossless sound comes at a time when Spotify faces criticism from artists and listeners alike. Several acts—including Godspeed You! Black Emperor, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, and Hotline TNT—have recently removed their music from the service.
Much of the backlash has focused on investments made by CEO Daniel Ek’s venture capital fund, Prima Materia, which has backed Helsing, a defense company developing AI-driven military software.
Hotline TNT’s frontman Will Anderson criticized the platform in a statement, saying the company’s values were at odds with the band’s. “A cooler world is possible,” he said. Godspeed You! Black Emperor went further, pulling its catalog from all major streaming platforms entirely.
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