BeaSonos has announced a new line-up of exclusive artists stations and original programming coming to Sonos Radio and Sonos Radio HD. Building on its success as the 3rd most streamed service on Sonos today, Sonos expands into new show formats and genres.
Adding to its growing catalogue of stations from artists, curators, and DJs, Sonos announces the launch of personal stations from D’Angelo, FKA twigs, Björk and The Chemical Brothers, giving fans exclusive access to artist’s latest inspirations and obsessions through hand-selected songs and personal commentary. New radio shows from artists currently streaming on Sonos Radio, including Thom Yorke, Brittany Howard, Dolly Parton and Third Man Records, will also debut.
Additionally, new genre stations will be added including Blacksmith Radio from Corey Smyth, industry veteran and manager to renowned talent such as De La Soul, Vince Staples, Mos Def and Dave Chappelle. Smyth will give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his unprecedented career with reflections and lessons from his years in the industry, intimate conversations with his closest collaborators and of course, his favourite tracks.
The brand’s ad-free signature station, Sonos Sound System, will also launch new shows including Object of Sound, a weekly radio show and podcast hosted by poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib.
“Sonos’ original and artist-curated stations go beyond the playlist format to inspire listeners to discover new music with the personal context and stories that add meaning,” says Brian Beck, Global Head of Music at Sonos. “These stations are direct lines into the minds of creators, and opportunities to hear what fuels their creativity in a fresh, raw way. We’re giving listeners a chance to find new music by flipping through the personal record collections of some of the most private but influential artists of our time. It’s taking music discovery to the next level.”
Exclusive Stations Available Only on Radio HD
Sonos will add new artist-curated stations to Sonos Radio HD, the ad-free, CD-quality audio tier of Sonos’ popular streaming service, Sonos Radio. The new stations offer fans access to the artists’ latest inspirations and obsessions through curated playlists and personal commentary. The first artist station to launch, D’Angelo’s Feverish Fantazmagoria, is available today, offering listeners a deep dive into his musical library.
“This is a curation of sorts – a collection of musical expressions that I call ‘Feverish Fantazmagoria’,” adds D’Angelo. “It includes some crate digging; a lot of psych rock and funk rock in there, even some gospel and soul. Just a lot of incredible music that’s fun and inspires me.”
The full line-up and air dates include:
- D’Angelo’s Feverish Fantazmagoria airing January 13
- FKA twig’s main squeeze airing February 10
- Corey Smyth’s Blacksmith Radio airing February 10
- Björk’s TBD airing February 24
- The Chemical Brothers’ Radio Chemical airing March 2
New Programming Debuting on Sonos Sound System
Created and hosted by Sonos, Sonos Sound System is Sonos Radio’s signature ad-free station to discover new artists, learn stories behind the music, and tune-in to artist-hosted Radio Hours. Artists currently streaming on Sonos Radio – Thom Yorke, Brittany Howard, Dolly Parton and Third Man Records – will be debuting additional radio shows and music on their stations.
New shows coming to Sonos Sound System include:
- Object of Sound, a weekly music and culture podcast hosted by poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib, will dive deep into the music of the moment and the stories surrounding the songs of today. The first three episodes of Object of Sound are streamable today and feature guests Jenna Wortham, Kimberly Drew, Sudan Archives, Jeff Tweedy and Open Mike Eagle. The fourth episode will air January 15 with guest Moses Sumney. Object of Sound will be available on Sonos Radio and podcast platforms everywhere.
- Black is Black, hosted by ATL/NYC-based multi-hyphenate DJ Lindsey, offers a monthly look into music of the black diaspora and how it’s impacted modern music over time. The station debuts on February 4 on Sonos Radio and Mixcloud.
- Unsung, hosted by independent British music publication Crack Magazine,speaks to contemporary artists about their heroes who never caught the spotlight. Unsung is live on Sonos Radio and podcast platforms everywhere, with new episodes launching bi-weekly.
- New Artist Radio Hours with artists Tiwa Savage, Chris Stapleton, A$AP Ferg, Yola, Japanese Breakfast, Sun Ra Arkestra to air in the coming weeks.
Sonos Radio is available free for all Sonos customers globally, pre-loaded in the Sonos app. Sonos Radio HD offers an expanded catalogue of original content streaming ad-free in high-definition, CD-quality audio with skips and repeats, currently available in the US and UK for £7.99 per month after a free 30-day trial.