Atoms For Peace will no longer be available on streaming service Spotify after the band’s Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich both explained on Twitter that the decision has been made because they feel the platform is bad for new music.
“Anyway. Here’s one. We’re off of spotify.. Can’t do that no more man.. Small meaningless rebellion. Someone gotta say something. It’s bad for new music,” Godrich wrote.
Thom Yorke echoed Godrich’s sentiments, writing: “Make no mistake new artists you discover on #Spotify will no get paid. meanwhile shareholders will shortly being rolling in it. Simples (sic).”
The move has sparked some debate on social media, with respected producer Stephen Street claiming that Yorke’s decision smacks of hypocrisy after Radiohead made their 2007 record ‘In Rainbows‘ available on a ‘pay what you want’ deal at the time of its release.
“bit rich coming from Thom Yorker that Spotify doesn’t work for new artists. It’s exactly what I said when Radiohead made their album available for free/ pay what you want a few years back,” Street posted.
“Suits superstars with 10 years of EMI investment behind them. It didn’t help new upcoming artists at all. Gave the wrong message that music had no value. It’s bitten you on the arse Thom!”