The Playlist

I like how this series takes multiple perspectives to show us the rise and controversy of Spotify, and what issues were plaguing the record industry at the time. It's certainly worth the watch, especially if you like stories about start-ups.

However, if you do watch it, you lose the quality of the acting if you watch the dubbed version.

I did find the overall story to be quite interesting as it evolved, from the founder's vision and relentless pursuit, to the major issues faced when trying to realise that vision, and the compromises and realities faced as time went by. And ultimately, the main losers in the whole story were the very ones Spotify claimed to be serving.

As Episode 1 of "The Playlist" (2022 release from Sweden; 6 episodes of 45-55 min each) opens, we are in "Ragsved, 2004" (a suburb of Stockholm) and we get to know Daniel Ek, a 22 yo who had hoped to land a job at Google, but alas, he was rejected. He starts his own company, Advertigo, providing digital discount coupons. It's not long before that this new venture attracts the attention of others... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this mini-series is (mostly) adapted from the book "Spotify Untold", written by 2 Swedish journalists. It brings the story of Spotify from a number of perspectives. Episode 1 "The Vision" focuses on how Spotify came about in the first place; Episode 2 "The Industry" looks at how the music industry dealt with this massive market disruption; etc. The best is saved for last, as Episode 6 "The Artist" (which episode is NOT based on book) looks forward on how all of this might unfold, with the last 15 minutes taking place in "Washington DC 2025"... I admit that none of the cast or the production crew were familiar to me, but all I can say is that I binge-watched this mini-series in less than 24 hrs.

"The Playlist" started streaming on Netflix last month, and I just now got around to it. Better late than never. If you are curious how Spotify came about, or how it has affected both the record labels and the artists, I'd readily suggest you check this out, whether you are for or against Spotify, and draw your own conclusion.

The 6 episode mini series, based on the story of the rising of streaming platform Spotify, deals with contradictory and complex matters as value of music and musicians' labor, debates on the copyrigt, and people's right of free access to the streamed music.

The playlist, unlike the majority of other examples of the similar kind of screen productions, doesn't focus on aggrandising its main object; it is pretty far away from a praising story on Spotify.

Interestingly, one of the episodes contains a story set in 2024 and 2025. Swedish directors, via this episode, reveal their predictions on the near future of Spotify, music industry and related struggles for rights.

The playlist is an entertaining show but ultimately a fantasy based on truth.

First 5 episodes are great but 6th episode got an agenda and is biased.

That's the moment the record became scratched.

Take it for what it is, a fiction based on a true story.

That said, the soundtrack, casting, picture, the whole production is amazing.

Then again, let me think for myself, music is first and foremost supposed to be natural emotions expressed by art, not a must-succeed business for everyone.

Also, I thought I was watching a biography, not a spotify parody.

Could have been way better but sadly fell short.

To be honest, I was sceptical when I started watching. 'How can they make a 6 part series about Spotify interesting?' I thought. Then I ended up binge-watching the whole thing!

The story takes us on a journey following Spotify from the idea to the most popular music streaming site in the world, and it does this with an exciting format. Each episode dedicates itself to one of the people who were essential to the companys success and the compromises they have on the course of the project. While part fiction it still feels like large parts of the story is based on real events.

The acting was quite good overall except for some cringy parts and I was really impressed by Christian Hillborgs performance of the co-founder Martin Lorentzon, giving me real "Wolf of Wallstreet" vibes!

Being a Swedish production and without a Hollywood budget they had to get clever with the set design. There is an often recurring hallway which transports the characters in between sets which I really like, kind of like a fast travel sequence in a video game. Some of the scenes were re-used 2 or even 3 times in different episodes, each time following a different character. It did feel a bit a bit cheap sometimes but didn't stop each episode from feeling unique.

Finally, a show well worth a watch and is very self-aware. I was impressed how they were bold enough to even outright criticize Spotify in the last episode.