‘Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist,’ Liz Pelly

The streaming economy is so ubiquitous in the 2020s that it’s easy to forget there’s a Faustian bargain behind it: Dip into a vast ocean of recorded music whenever you please, just don’t ask too many questions about whether the artists who make it are able to earn a living. This essential read aims to expose that complicated reality and force us to think about it. With a winning combination of diligent reporting and skillful argument, Pelly shows how the Spotify model became the norm, explores how playlists make us more passive listeners, and points toward the possibility of a fairer future. —Simon Vozick-Levinson