Montreal-rooted post-rock collective Godspeed You! Black Emperor have quietly withdrawn nearly their entire body of work from major streaming platforms. As of August 17, 2025, none of their albums are available on Spotify or Tidal, and their two early records—F♯ A♯ ∞ (1997) and Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven (2000)—are in the process of being removed from Apple Music as well, according to their label, Kranky.
The label emphasized that “Kranky has always granted artists control over how their music is presented and disseminated,” signalling a deliberate reclaiming of that power rather than a technical mishap. Fans can still find the band’s full catalogue on Bandcamp, where purchases and streams remain accessible.
This move mirrors a broader trend among indie artists stepping back from platforms like Spotify. Recent departures include Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, all citing objections to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in Helsing, a defence-tech company, via Prima Materia.
Godspeed’s most recent album, No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead, released in October 2024, further underscores their willingness to confront global crises. The title references the then-confirmed Palestinian death toll in Gaza and stands as a sombre testament to the band’s ongoing engagement with structural violence and social justice.
