Highlights:
- Spotify Premium users will now get lossless audio in up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC.
- The rollout begins today, with more markets to follow in the coming weeks.
- Competitors like Tidal, Amazon Music, and Apple Music have offered lossless streaming for years.
- The launch comes amid mounting criticism and artist departures over Spotify’s ties to military tech investments.
Spotify adds Lossless for premium users
Spotify has announced that it is rolling out lossless audio to its Premium subscribers. The new feature offers tracks in up to 24-bit and 44.1 kHz FLAC, addressing long-standing criticism of the platform’s audio quality. The rollout begins today in select regions, with global availability expected in the coming weeks.
“The wait is finally over; we’re so excited lossless sound is rolling out to Premium subscribers,” said Gustav Gyllenhammar, Spotify’s vice president of subscriptions. “We’ve taken time to build this feature in a way that prioritizes quality, ease of use, and clarity at every step.”
Competitors led the way years ago
Spotify is one of the last major platforms to add a lossless option.
- Tidal launched in 2015 with a HiFi tier offering CD-quality audio (16-bit/44.1 kHz) and later added higher-resolution formats.
- Amazon Music HD followed in 2019, providing over 50 million songs in CD quality and some high-resolution tracks for an added fee.
- Apple Music introduced lossless and high-resolution audio in 2021 at no extra charge.
In response to Apple’s move, Tidal adjusted pricing, added a free ad-supported tier, and launched HiFi Plus, which includes support for Dolby Atmos, Sony 360 Reality Audio, and Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) tracks.
Artist backlash clouds the rollout
The timing of the launch comes as Spotify faces mounting backlash from musicians. Over recent months, artists including Godspeed You! Black Emperor, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, and Hotline TNT have removed their catalogs from the service.
Many cited Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s venture capital firm Prima Materia, which has invested in Helsing, a defense company specializing in AI software for military use.
Hotline TNT’s Will Anderson said in a statement:
“The company that bills itself as the steward of all recorded music has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that it does not align with the band’s values in any way. A cooler world is possible.”
Godspeed You! Black Emperor went further, pulling their music from all major streaming platforms.
