Samsung-Owned HARMAN Launches Music Discovery App, Drops

HARMAN, the Samsung Electronics-owned audio and automotive technology company, has launched a music discovery app called Drops.

What it does:

• Built on the idea that music discovery often starts with a recommendation, Drops lets users listen to 10-to-30-second moments from songs shared by friends and tastemakers on the platform.

• Each clip, or “Drop,” is presented with lyrics, licensed artist images, album art and a caption.

• Users can save songs they want to revisit to their personal collections of music clips.

• According to TechCrunch, Drops pays rightsholders, with its label and distribution partners receiving reports on plays.

Industry partners:

• Drops has a growing ecosystem of industry partners, including labels and distributors such as Universal Music Group – the only major named in the announcement – Beggars Group, Symphonic Distribution, EMPIRE and UnitedMasters.

• Music publishers and PROs, as well as data providers including LyricFind, Xperi and MusicBrainz, are also involved.

• Drops will connect with streaming platforms including Apple Music, Qobuz and TIDAL, allowing users to move from a clip to the full-length track.

• Spotify is notably absent from the streaming services named in the announcement.

Availability:

• Drops is available on iOS and Android in the US on an invite-only basis.

• Users can join a waitlist to receive an invitation here.

What they said:

• Clare Hunter, General Manager, Drops, HARMAN: “The way we discover music is evolving, but the most meaningful recommendations have always come from people we trust. Drops brings that human element to the forefront, giving people a new way to find music through the moments that make a song special and the perspectives of those who share their taste. We see an opportunity to make music discovery more personal, more social and more connected to the way people listen today, and we’re excited to introduce Drops to music fans across the US.”