Spotify partners with Merlin for AI remix and covers tool

On August 4, 2026, during its second-quarter earnings call, Spotify announced a new paid add-on that will let fans create AI-powered covers and remixes of songs, and revealed that Merlin, a licensing partner for independent labels, has joined Universal Music Group in the effort, bringing more than 30,000 labels into the project.

Co-CEO Gustav Söderström told investors the product focuses on “real artists, not fake artists,” setting it apart from controversial AI music startups that generate entirely artificial songs.

Artists must consent to participate and will receive credit and compensation, co-CEO Alex Norström added, calling it “the first legal way to partake in this AI tailwind.”

Spotify will offer a research preview to a subset of users, though it gave no release date. The company noted a full music catalog is not required to get started.

Deezer reported that more than 50% of daily track uploads were AI-made, up from 10% in January 2025.

Söderström emphasized that while generic AI music will emerge regardless, this product uniquely requires Spotify’s involvement to ensure existing artists can participate.