Spotify App Adds Playlist Sorting, DJ Requests, More

Spotify is rolling out a new update to its AI-powered DJ service that allows users to make “requests” while the app itself is picking up some useful quality of life improvements such as the ability to sort playlists.

Rolling out now, the DJ in Spotify is going to act more like a real-life DJ. In a post, Spotify breaks down that the DJ can now take “requests” for songs or for new types of music.

Spotify explains:

By simply using your voice, you can now ask DJ to update your personalized listening session based on the music you want to hear at that moment, whether you’re looking for something to set the mood for date night or need some high-energy tracks to get you hyped for a party.

DJ can handle a combination of genre, mood, artist, or activity-related requests. For example, you could try, “Surprise me with some indie tracks I’ve never heard before,” or “Give me some electronic beats for a midday run.” You could even request something like, “Play me some cry-in-the-car songs.”

It sounds like a pretty useful addition to DJ, assuming you’re using the feature in the first place.

More useful, though, are some quality of life changes coming to the Spotify app.

The app has redesigned the “Now Playing” screen for Premium subscribers to better surface controls including Shuffle, Smart Shuffle, and Sleep Timer. When a queue ends, the app will once again start playing recommended tracks, behavior that was in place years ago and disappeared. A new “30-day Snooze” feature joins “Hide” to limit the replaying of tracks you don’t want to hear anymore.

Playlists are also getting some big updates. Spotify now allows for playlists to be sorted by title, artist, album, and “Recently Added,” a godsend for people like me who manage a lot of their music in a handful of large playlists. Sorting is available both via mobile and desktop apps, but the mobile app also gets a handy “add” button with suggestions.

We’re introducing new mobile playlist management tools that will help you customize your creations. Now, at the top of all your playlists, you’ll find easy access to Add, Sort, and Edit to build your track list, change your playlist title, create custom cover art, and perfectly sequence each song.

There’s also a new cover art generator in beta, and there are some new collaboration features too.

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