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Spotify is reportedly overhauling its shuffle feature, and it could be perfect timing if you're a Taylor Swift fan.
If the music app's shuffle feature isn't truly mixing up and recommending new songs in your library, you're not alone. Many Spotify users have flagged that the same or similar songs have been repeating in shuffle mode.
That's not ideal when you've specifically requested a random selection from your library. As well as fixing the broken shuffle functionality, it seems the developers at Spotify will add new options when shuffling songs.
Many subscribers want the option to shuffle new — but similar — songs at the end of their current playlist, so the original lineup doesn't just repeat itself, or shuffle decides to switch to a completely different genre. And it seems like Spotify is looking into the idea, so users won't have to manually search for additional songs themselves.
When a playlist is finished running, Spotify normally plays a few extra songs that fit with the rest of the playlist. Instead of continuing the stream of new music, though, the app will loop back around and start repeating music previously played. For example, if you're listening to a playlist with all of Ms Swift's older music, but it doesn't include her newest albums, Spotify may not recommend it to you when you're on shuffle mode at the end of your existing playlist. Instead, it might repeat older music already played during your overall listening session.
Although it appears that a fix for this is in the works. According to the team over at Android Authority, they've uncovered a new release in the works to solve the platform's shuffle playback behaviour.
| GETTY IMAGESThe music app currently features three different shuffle modes:
- Linear playback: Music plays in the same order as it appears in the playlist
- Regular shuffle: Existing songs in your playlist are mixed and played in a random order
- Smart shuffle: An advanced shuffle mode, algorithmically recommended songs are added to your playlist in an effort to introduce new music alongside your favourites. However, even smart shuffle will still repeat songs that have already been played
Smart shuffle is a feature for premium users only, meaning you need a paid subscription in order to access it. A monthly subscription costs £11.99 per month.
It's been uncovered that Spotify could be updating the standard shuffle mode, so you truly get new, different music when you select the shuffle button.
Spotify currently offers three shuffle modes: linear, standard shuffle, and smart shuffle
|SPOTIFY PRESS OFFICE
With this new update, you'll be able to have the choice between a random playback of music, meaning brand new recommended songs are played, or more similar music to what you've already listened to before.
So, whether you've listened to Ms Swift's music or not, you may have it recommended to you regardless, depending on the shuffle mode you choose when it's officially released.
If you're a fan looking forward to Ms Swift's new album Life of a Showgirl, it officially releases at 5am on October 3, 2025 (tomorrow) UK time, so you might want to set your alarms.
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The Life of a Showgirl, Swift’s 12th studio album (releasing October 3, 2025), captures the exhilaration and chaos behind the spotlight. Made during her Eras Tour, it leans into the duality of performance — the glam and spectacle we see, and the exhaustion and inner life offstage. Swift worked closely with longtime collaborators Max Martin and Shellback (plus herself), crafting a total of 12 songs
If you'd rather have a CD in your music library, Amazon offers this too, plus a free bonus poster
Life of a Showgirl Vinyl by Taylor Swift
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It has not yet been confirmed when Spotify's new feature will be released.
If you're not yet a Spotify Premium member, you can subscribe to the following plans:
- £11.99 for Premium Individual
- £16.99 for Premium Duo
- £19.99 for Premium Family
- £5.99 for Premium Student
And, you can get three months for free when you sign up today.
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