Cindy Lee Exits Spotify: Could More Artists Follow Suit?

In an era dominated by Spotify’s stronghold over the music industry, Cindy Lee’s decision to leave the platform seems both wise and bold. Originating from Calgary, the Canadian artist requested the removal of all his albums from Spotify, making them exclusively available on Bandcamp now.

It’s also possible to preorder his records, available in vinyl or CD format, with new physical re-releases scheduled for October 31st, through W.25th – a sub-label of Superior Viaduct.

Distancing from the “binge-listening” culture of streaming

Previously, Cindy Lee had made several albums available on Spotify, with the exception of Diamond Jubilee. Hailed as the record of the year 2024 by Pitchfork—a leading voice in English-speaking music journalism—the album was only available on YouTube, played continuously for two hours, and for download on the artist’s Geocities page.

On Bandcamp, some of Cindy Lee’s albums that had never been released on any streaming platform are now available. For instance, Cat o’ Nine Tails was previously only available in physical format—limited to 50 vinyls and a handful of cassettes. Other hard-to-find albums are making a comeback on the American platform, including Act of Tenderness and Malenkost.

Spotify, on the verge of decline?

At a time when Spotify’s CEO is investing 600 million euros in a German startup specializing in military equipment, when fake bands generated by Artificial Intelligence are flooding the platform without regulation, when artists with fewer than 1000 streams are no longer compensated, and when Spotify’s management funded Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony to the tune of 150,000 dollars, Cindy Lee’s decision seems not only timely but necessary. The future of music could benefit if more artists followed suit.