Soon, every user will be able to be a DJ…
In recent years, TikTok has established itself as a fertile ground for musical creativity, with millions of users sharing their favorite tracks in new and unexpected forms. Among the trends that have gained momentum, the sped-up or slowed-down versions of hits have particularly stood out. These remixes, often simple to create but surprisingly captivating, have captured the hearts of internet users. Some have even become as popular, if not more so, than the original versions. Faced with this wave of creativity, major companies in the music industry, such as the Swedish giant Spotify, have started to pay attention to this new remix culture. For Spotify, which is set to launch an option in this vein, it’s not only about capitalizing on viral trends but also about viewing these remixes as an effective way to attract a younger audience.
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What are Speed-ups and Sloweds?
The term “Speed-up” involves increasing the playback speed of a music track. This has the effect of speeding up the tempo and making the song more energetic and fast-paced. Conversely, “Slowed” involves slowing down the playback speed of a music track. This has the effect of slowing down the tempo and giving the song a more atmospheric and melancholic vibe. The vocals become deeper, and the instruments take on a more prominent role in the composition. This style is sometimes called “Slowed & Reverb” because a reverb effect is often added to enhance the atmosphere.
Speed-ups and Sloweds are all the rage
These two techniques have become very trendy on social media, especially on TikTok, where users enjoy creating their own remixes of their favorite tracks. According to Bloomberg, citing a study by Plex, these remixes are ubiquitous on social media, especially on TikTok, where they account for 38% of the music available on the Chinese app. This is where Spotify comes into play.
Spotify and the Super Premium Offering
Indeed, aware of the financial potential this new trend could represent, Spotify is considering launching an offering in this vein. According to the American media outlet The Verge, the Swedish streaming giant is on the verge of launching a new option named Spotify Music Pro/Super Premium. According to the same source, Spotify is currently developing a new feature that would allow users to create not only Speed-up or Slowed versions of their favorite tracks but also a “DJ” mode that could enable users to make remixes with high-quality audio. According to The Verge, this offering would be free but linked to Spotify Premium.
However, according to The Wall Street Journal, paying subscribers of the streaming service will be able to use some of these features for free, while the more sophisticated ones will be reserved for users who subscribe to the Super Premium offering.