Home / Arts and Entertainment / Sylvan Esso Abandons Spotify, Launches New Label Psychic Hotline
Sylvan Esso Abandons Spotify, Launches New Label Psychic Hotline
30 Sep
Summary
- Sylvan Esso releases first new single in 3 years, "WDID"
- Band pulls music from Spotify, citing ethical concerns over co-founder's ties
- Sylvan Esso launches new record label Psychic Hotline
As of September 30, 2025, the electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso has made a bold move by releasing their first new single in three years, "WDID," on their newly launched record label, Psychic Hotline. The track is an urgent, cutting blast of agit-pop filled with grinding synths and a warning cry from vocalist Amelia Meath.
Alongside the new music, Sylvan Esso has also announced their decision to pull their entire discography from the popular streaming platform Spotify. The band cites ethical concerns, particularly over Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek's ties to Helsing, a German defense tech company with a focus on artificial intelligence.
In a statement, Sylvan Esso explained, "As we prepare to release new music, we have to decide what we want to be a part of and what we don't. To that end, with Sylvan Esso being on our own label for the first time, we have decided to remove our music from Spotify. While no solution is perfect, we simply can't continue to put our life's work in a store that, in addition to all its other glaring flaws, directly funds war machines."
The band has spent the past year working on new material with new collaborators, though no other details have been revealed. "WDID" will receive a physical release on January 9, 2026, with a 12-inch single that includes the b-side, "Keep On," featuring contributions from bassist Daniel Aged and drummer TJ Maiani.
