Spotify has launched in India Premium Early Access, giving eligible Premium subscribers a chance to listen to selected new music releases up to three days before they become available to everyone else.

On August 28, the feature went live, offering paid subscribers an additional benefit while giving labels and artists a new way to build anticipation around all the upcoming releases.

Universal Music Group (UMG) will be the first major label under the programme to participate through its “Hear It First” campaign. Selected releases will be available exclusively during the early-access period to eligible Premium subscribers. Once that window ends, the songs will be available to all Spotify listeners, including Spotify Free users. Spotify has also clarified that from its wider audience no music will be permanently held back.

The first wave includes many Indian releases. Divya Kumar and Badshah’s new single “Chimna” will be available to Premium subscribers from August 28 before its wider release that is scheduled on August 31. Harrdy Sandhu’s “Stuck On You” will follow the same schedule, giving three days of advance access to Premium users.

However, the Premium Early Access programme of Spotify will not apply to every new release. The feature will be available only for music where artists and their labels have partnered with Spotify to participate in the programme. The company said all upcoming releases will not have an early-access window.

Spotify added that more international and Indian artists will be included in the coming weeks in the programme. Premium Early Access will be available to users on the Premium Platinum, Premium Standard and Premium Student plans in India.

Spotify Free users will continue receiving access to all participating releases after its early-access period ends. Listeners on the lookout to hear eligible songs before their general release will have to subscribe to a qualifying Spotify Premium plan.