Spotify Technology S A : Get a Sneak Peak Into the Songs Behind ‘FIFA 22’ From Steve Schnur, President of Music for EA Games

Music is a huge part of the esports experience-and that's especially true when it comes to Electronic Arts (EA) Games' FIFA series. The dynamic, state-of-the-art multiplayer game allows fans to play as their favorite footballers and football teams-and listen to great tracks at the same time. The series has even been credited with helping to elevate some artists and songs to more listeners.

The next version of the game,FIFA 22, is set to debut October 1, 2021. So ahead of its eagerly anticipated launch, the team has put together not only an officialFIFA 22 Soundtrackon Spotify, but an accompanyingFIFA 22 VOLTA Soundtrackcelebrating all the flair and style fans can bring to the pitch and to street football playgrounds all over the world.

To celebrate the official soundtrack release-and get fans hyped up for the game debut in less than two short weeks-we spoke with SteveSchnur, Worldwide Executive & President of Music, EA Games, about his team's approach to music within the game and on the two official soundtracks.

You've been in the music industry a long time. What's your earliest video game music memory? Have music and video games always had such a strong connection for you?

I'm an OG-original gamer-from the generation when a pocketful of quarters meant everything. Back then, the video arcade was as important to me as record stores, which I initially assumed was for very different reasons. Soon I began to realize that dropping the needle on my favoriteBlackSabbathalbum or hearing that first quarter trigger thePac-Mantheme could quicken my pulse in very similar ways. All true gamers/music fans understand the connection instinctively.

You credit your team with being able to get ahold of artists prior to their breakouts and utilize their songs in your games. You have a notorious "no radio" stance. What are some of the tools you use to find new talent?

If it's on the radio, it's too late. Our job is to find, secure, and deliver the best new songs, hottest new artists, and most exciting new music trends that will move the needle for the year to come.

The EA Music team-which, by the way, is only six people-does it via a simple formula: great ears, gut instincts, and unmatched relationships with artists, managers, publishers, and producers all over the world. We listen to music together. We get passionate about it. We argue. We find new bands and songs that we love and then actually get to share it with millions of our friends via our soundtracks.

And the day a newFIFAedition is released, we're already at work on the next one.

What's the biggest misconception you've observed about the type of music sports fans and e-gamers will like? How did you debunk it?

Music and sports have always had a unique relationship, because they're culturally connected. When we broke the soundtrack mold 20 years ago, we knew that sports game music needed to stop sounding likeAC/DCorQueenand instead start reflecting the next generation. As athletes began to assert their individual identities on the court and the field, music needed to do the same. We believed that gamers would not only be open to new artists and music but also become fervent supporters of each annual soundtrack. We're now two generations into not only being a global destination for new music discovery, but also as creators of new music cultures for millions of gamers and fans worldwide. And whether it'sMadden,NHL, orFIFA, we've helped change the way people hear and experience sports.

What can fans look forward to with the newFIFA game and soundtrack release? Which featured artists will they recognize? Whom are you excited for fans to discover?

FIFA 22delivers an unprecedented 122 songs representing 27 nations. The spirit of the 52-song menu soundtrack can be felt in the stands at the Etihad or the sands of Tulum, a genre-spanning festival of bold, uplifting rhythms featuring new music from international superstars likeSwedish House Mafia,Polo & Pan,Glass Animals,Little Simz,girl in red,Jungle, and U.K. singer-songwriterSam Fender. And just as anticipated by fans is this year's showcase of newcomers, including NYC vocalistCasper Caan; Australian alt rockers Bloodmoon; Brazilian vocal phenomCAIO PRADO; London soul singerHope Tala; unique Congolese collectiveKOKOKO!; French Jamaican singer-rapperHendrix Harris; Israeli trip-hop bandGarden City Movement; Ireland's number one indie rockers,Inhaler; and South Africa's "future ghetto punk"Moonchild Sanellyfeaturing U.K. duoSad Night Dynamite.

The gritty underground vibe of theVOLTA FOOTBALL Soundtrackcan be felt in scuttling trainers on packed dirt lots in neighborhoods from Lagos and São Paulo to Los Angeles and Rome. These 70 songs deliver a quintessential mix of global hip-hop, grime, electronic, and beyond, including a new record from Parisian producersDJ SnakeandMalaa, U.K. drill rapperHeadie Onefeaturing afroswing duoYoung T & Bugsey, buzzing Atlanta hip-hop duoEARTHGANG, and U.K. singer-songwriterJohn Newmanwith a remix of his number-one breakthrough hit, "Love Me Again," fromFIFA 14.

On Spotify, we have seen that listeners come to the platform to stream the music they hear in video games. How does EA leverage Spotify?

From the very beginning, we knew that we wanted our soundtracks to flourish on platforms outside the games themselves. Spotify's enthusiastic support of our playlists-including premieres, exclusives, etc.-has been key to this.

Originally,FIFAsoundtracks reflected world culture. Then they began to influence culture. Thanks in large part to Spotify,FIFAsoundtracks have nowbecomeculture.

Ready to kick back with the official soundtrack? Head to theFIFA profileon Spotify or stream the playlist below.