After nearly a year away, Sylvan Esso are putting their music back on Spotify – not because they’ve changed their minds about the platform, but because they say they can no longer afford to stay off it. In a video posted Friday, Amelia Meath explained that the boycott has presented financial issues the duo didn’t fully expect. “It’s become more and more apparent that if we are going to continue to employ everyone that we employ, it is unsustainable for us not to be on that platform, so we are going to put it back up on there,” she said. Meath made it clear that she and bandmate Nick Sanborn’s views haven’t changed, adding, “I don’t fucking like it, and I’m really frustrated by this reality.”
Sylvan Esso pulled their catalog from Spotify in September 2025, saying they could no longer put their work on a service that, in their words, “directly funds war machines.” The protest came amid criticism of Spotify founder Daniel Ek’s investment firm Prima Materia and its backing of German defense technology company Helsing, and placed Sylvan Esso alongside artists including Massive Attack, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor in leaving the platform.
The Decision to Return to Spotify
Meath said Spotify’s dominance has made that decision increasingly difficult to sustain, citing that 82% of streaming happens through the service. Still, the duo encouraged listeners who want to support alternatives to use Bandcamp, Qobuz, Subvert, or their local record stores.
Upcoming Tour and New Album
The reversal comes just a week after Sylvan Esso released their fifth album, Ow ∞, on September 11th through their own Psychic Hotline label. The record is their first album in four years and their first released through the label. They’ll take it on the road beginning October 1st with an extensive full-band tour stretching into March 2027, including stops in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, and more.
In conclusion, Sylvan Esso’s decision to return to Spotify is a complex one, driven by financial necessity rather than a change of heart. As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other artists navigate the challenges of streaming and platform dominance. With their new album Ow ∞ and upcoming tour, Sylvan Esso remains a vital and innovative force in the music world.
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