Photo by Haithem Ferdi on Unsplash
For years, Spotify has been the go-to platform for music lovers who want endless access to songs, albums, and curated playlists. Now, the company is pushing into a new frontier that blurs the line between being a passive listener and becoming an active DJ. Spotify has begun rolling out a new track mixing feature—currently in beta—that gives Premium users the ability to customize transitions between songs in their playlists.
This move marks one of Spotify’s boldest steps toward reshaping how people experience music, especially in a world where playlist culture dominates over traditional album listening. The new feature, known simply as Mix, offers users the chance to add smooth transitions, adjust sound levels, and even tweak effects between tracks. For the first time, your everyday playlist can sound like a professionally curated DJ set.
The feature is relatively straightforward but surprisingly powerful. Instead of songs ending abruptly and another beginning, Mix allows them to flow into each other seamlessly.
Premium users with access will notice a new Mix button in their playlist toolbar. Once activated, users can choose an Auto mode for quick, AI-powered transitions. If you want more control, you can adjust:
When finished, you can hit Save to lock in your custom transitions. Importantly, Spotify also allows you to toggle the effect on or off, so you can enjoy both a “mixed” and “unmixed” version of your playlist.
This is essentially Spotify handing you a mini DJ console, but one that lives directly inside your music app and doesn’t require technical know-how.
The ability to blend songs is more than just a fun gimmick. It transforms the listening experience:
Think of it as the democratization of DJing. Not everyone wants to dive into programs like Apple Logic Pro, Reaper, or Ableton Live. But many people want to enhance the vibe of their playlists, and Mix gives them that ability instantly.
Another interesting aspect is collaborative mixed playlists. Spotify already lets friends co-curate playlists, but Mix takes it further. Now, users can not only choose songs together but also decide how those songs transition. Imagine two friends building a party playlist from opposite sides of the world, both experimenting with fades and rises to craft a unified DJ set.
It’s still unclear how widely available this collaboration function will be, but it hints at Spotify’s long-term vision: music as a shared creative canvas, not just a consumption product.
At the moment, Spotify has kept things intentionally vague. The feature is rolling out gradually to “eligible Premium users.” The company hasn’t revealed what makes someone “eligible”—it could be tied to region, device type, or even random test groups.
Some users in the UK, for instance, report that the feature isn’t showing up yet, even with the latest app version. Spotify has confirmed that the tool will eventually expand beyond the beta stage, but there’s no official timeline for a global release.
If you’re one of the lucky testers, keep an eye out for the new Mix option in your playlist toolbar.
Spotify has always been about personalization. From the viral success of Wrapped, to features like Discover Weekly, the platform thrives on making music feel custom-fit to the listener.
Mix fits right into this strategy. It’s not just about personalization through recommendations, but personalization through creative control. Instead of Spotify choosing the next song for you, you’re choosing how songs merge, creating a listening journey that feels uniquely yours.
This may also be Spotify’s way of differentiating itself from competitors. Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube Music all offer large catalogs, but none of them provide built-in DJ-style playlist mixing tools. If Spotify can nail this feature, it becomes another reason for users to stick with Premium subscriptions.
It’s also worth noting how this move may position Spotify in the DJ community. While professional DJs rely on tools like Serato, Traktor, and Rekordbox, Spotify’s new tool isn’t aimed at replacing them. Instead, it acts as an entry-level bridge for beginners and hobbyists.
A teenager experimenting with Mix today might develop an interest in more serious DJ software tomorrow. In that sense, Spotify is cultivating a generation of music enthusiasts who don’t just listen, but also participate in shaping soundscapes.
