The data they get is so damn good, that when you say you like it, they say we knew you would. The music industry is using big data to predict which songs will be hits. It’s good for business. But is it bad for music?

+ The New Yorker: Is Spotify the music industry’s friend or foe?

+ “Records obligate a different kind of attention. There’s nothing random about them. They wear out. They’re too fragile to be played without listeners.” Colette LaBouff on the value of doing just one thing. (I’m convinced that this is what’s behind the recent resurgence of vinyl.)

+ In 1993, Steve Albini wrote a popular essay called The Problem with Music. Now he’s back with an LP-length follow-up. And he’s singing a very different tune.