From The Verge · Terrence O'Brien · · 1m 10s
Spotify gives emerging artists free studio time
Fresh Finds Forward offers 12 months of resources to artists featured on Spotify's discovery playlists.
In brief
Fresh Finds Forward offers 12 months of resources to artists featured on Spotify's discovery playlists. Spotify is backing up playlist exposure with concrete resources like free studio time, music tools, and mental health support to help emerging artists succeed. Originally reported by The Verge.
Fresh Finds gets a major upgrade
Spotify launched Fresh Finds Forward, a new program giving artists added to Fresh Finds playlists after January 1st, 2026 access to 12 months of free resources and tools.
Free studio time at top venues
US-based artists get free studio access at Electric Lady Studios in NYC, The Lighthouse at Ocean Way Nashville, or Spotify Music Studios in LA.
Tools, partnerships, and software
Artists also get early access to Spotify tools, priority access to tour and music video partnerships, plus 12 months of Landr Studio Pro and Splice's Creator Plan.
Mental health support included
Spotify offers six months of free therapy through BetterHelp, recognizing that pursuing music is stressful and rejection is common even after a Fresh Finds placement.
“trying to make it as a musician is stressful and potentially soul-crushing”
No royalty rate changes
Unlike Discovery Mode, Fresh Finds Forward doesn't alter royalty rates and is completely free to participating artists, with no strings attached.
The takeaway
Spotify is backing up playlist exposure with concrete resources like free studio time, music tools, and mental health support to help emerging artists succeed.
