On August 26, Spotify added a feature that lets all users send direct messages, and I think it’s a genius idea. When I heard about the new ability, I got excited at the idea of finally being able to message artists like Becky G and Ice Spice. Unfortunately, the DMs don’t work like that, but I enjoy sending songs and playlists directly to my friends. It feels like Spotify is catching up to apps like Instagram and Snapchat. It gives everyone a new sense of interaction that other music apps are missing. Music has always been my favorite way to connect with people, so it is easier now to actually talk about the songs my family, friends, and I love or hate.

The ability to send DMs now makes the app feel more social and interactive. Before this, I had to share music through screenshots or links somewhere else, and it got confusing sorting through links and photos and contacts. Now it’s fast and easy. If I’m vibing and chilling to a song, I can just send it to my friends right away. We also use this to let each other know what new artists dropped so we never fall behind on new music. It’s quicker and easier and more personal than texting a link. Plus, getting a message that lets me know what they think of the song hits different.

I only wish the feature worked through phone contacts rather than just Spotify accounts. Right now, you have to search for your friends on Spotify then you request to message them and they have to accept the request. Which is annoying if they don’t use the app consistently or they have a complicated username. Sometimes I want to send a song right then and there without having to go through the extra steps. That way, you could instantly click on people you already know instead of searching one by one.

Sending songs to people feels like how trading CDs with people back in the day would have. The feeling of showing your friends what you’re listening to is right there. Even though sharing songs is digital now, it brings the same excitement of discovering new songs together and building your taste as a group.

Overall, I think Spotify’s DM feature was a great move. It adds a social aspect to an app that’s mostly been about solo listening, and it makes sharing music easy. It’s keeping people talking and brings listeners in touch with what’s happening. It gives users another reason to stay on the app instead of switching to a messaging platform. I could see this turning into the next big thing once more people start using it regularly.

I’ve been using this feature a lot to recommend songs and playlists to friends, and it’s a good feeling except when they text back saying how terrible my music taste is. Spotify is already one of the only apps I use, so this feature is great for me and makes it even more enjoyable. I like feeling more connected to people through the songs we send each other. Even when my friends roast my music taste, it’s still worth it because sharing songs brings us closer. And if Spotify ever lets artists reply to my DMs one day, maybe I really could get a message back from someone like Becky G or Ice Spice.