Post-rock trio Jagged City have made a pointed statement against streaming giant Spotify with the release of their new single, “Imaginary Lines”. The group — featuring Defeater guitarist Jake Woodruff, bassist Carlos Torres (ex-Explosions In The Sky touring member), and drummer Urian Hackney (Rough Francis, The Armed) — inserted a mid-song public service announcement (PSA) on Spotify, highlighting the platform’s controversial practices.
On most streaming services, the track plays in full. On Spotify, however, it halts at 1:04, where the band deliver their statement:
“This is a public service announcement from Jagged City. Due to their investment in AI weapons, extremely low artist payouts, and promotion of completely non-human made songs, this track will not be available on this platform. We encourage you to buy our music from our label, Pelagic Records, from our band at shows, from Bandcamp, or listen on another less compromised streaming service.”
The PSA loops for two minutes, gradually deteriorating as the pitch slows and warps, emphasizing the band’s protest against the platform.
Jagged City’s critique adds to a growing chorus of artists criticizing Spotify’s practices. Back in 2022, space rock veterans Failure withdrew most of their catalog over low royalties and the presence of controversial content, while Staind frontman Aaron Lewis lamented his own payouts despite over a billion streams:
“I’m a Spotify billionaire. I’ve have over a billion spins on Spotify. If I only had a penny for every spin on Spotify, that would be fantastic… By the time Spotify plays it, there’s so many people in the middle. I don’t even think a penny comes my way to be honest with you.”
Criticism has also targeted Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in AI technology for military applications, leading artists such as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard to pull their music. More recently, the company faced backlash for airing ads recruiting for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting calls from bands like Thursday to remove the content.
“Imaginary Lines” is the first single from Jagged City’s upcoming debut EP, There Are More Of Us, Always, set for release via Pelagic Records on January 30th. Woodruff elaborated on the track’s meaning and composition:
“‘Imaginary Lines‘ is a meditation on how all lines are imaginary – all borders are fake, all classifications are arbitrary, all divisions aren’t real. We are all connected, and any line made by force and power is a denial of that. Musically, this is the first full song on the record, and Urian nailed the groove – it feels natural, even though it’s in 5. I love how the chime-like guitar and fuzzed-out bass tones came together with the drum groove to form a cohesive, intimate, natural-sounding song.”
Fans can expect the full 7-song EP to continue this blend of politically charged messaging and immersive post-rock soundscapes early next year.
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