Spotify now has 172 million paid subscribers and 381 million monthly active users, an increase from last quarter.

Spotify continues to be the go-to music streaming service. Amazon Music and Apple Music trail far behind with paid subscribers. Spotify expects to have in excess of 400 million monthly active users, and over 177 million premium subscribers by the end of the year.

Because Spotify pays the majority of its revenue back to music labels, it couldn’t make a profit. But after years of losing money, the streaming music service is turning the corner, mainly because of its ad business.

Ownership of song catalogs gives the music labels big leverage in cutting deals with streaming companies. Spotify added content like podcasts that doesn’t that music labels don’t own which has drawn more listeners.

Look out for Morgen and the song Sweet 16. You’ll like if you’re in the mood for something fun & quirky. It could find a space on Spotify’s Bedroom Pop Playlist. The Santa Cruz native has garnered praise from Elton John and Zane Lowe while Triple J called the talent ‘impressive’. Check out the video here. Stream it on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.

Defying critics, Adele’s “Easy On Me” is big at radio. Although it may not be as big as her previous hits, it fits nicely on radio. Radio has nothing else to play and it’s a competition free market for big sad ballads. Top 40 radio likes uptempo dance songs and slow heartbreak ballads. Adele fills the space.

Adele’s Easy On Me has been added to the largest number of radio stations ever. Either people really love the UK singer or there is a dire need for slow sappy ballads. Maybe it’s both, but I tend to the believe the latter. Lewis Capaldi had a massive radio hit with ballad “Someone You Loved” and Olivia Rodrigo with “Drivers License”.

Although “Easy On Me” didn’t debut at #1 like her previous hit, it’s still streaming well.

Wit politics being the driving force in America, it’s not surprising that “Easy On Me” was knocked off the number #1 spot on iTunes by the politically charged single “Let’s Go Brandon!” by Bryson Gray Tyson.

Watch out for HEIDI and the track Slow Replies. You like if you love a blend Soul, R&B, and Pop. You’ll love even more if you like that big raspy voice that can fill a room. The track which was written at just 17 shot up to the top 30 iTunes Charts hanging up there with Coldplay and Ed Sheeran. Having performed pat The Dublin Castle and 02 academy, the 19 year old is about to embark on her first busking tour across the UK in November. Stream the track on KOAR’s Indie Invaders Playlist.

Poaching (stealing music acts from other parties) has always been common practice in the music biz. UMG just poached an artist from Columbia, and this isn’t a just any fish, it’s a whale.

BTS is ending its distribution deal with Sony Music’s Columbia and is headed to Universal Music Group.

UMG Sir Lucian Grainge and IGA boss John Janick have inked a deal with K-pop boyband BTS. The arrangement was struck via Bang Si-Hyuk-led Korean firm HYBE (fka Big Hit).

Scooter Braun, who sold his company Ithaca Holdings to HYBE in April, reportedly helped seal the deal using his relationship with Grainge and HYBE Global CEO Lenzo Yoon.

Ironically, Columbia’s Kid LAROI just split with Scooter’s management company just after 3 months. Did The Kid getta call from the boss?