What is the secret of the curiously empty seat on the Embankment between the Avenue and Westminster Bridge?This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “ON THE EMBANKMENT” by Hugh E. Wright (1919).CREATOR’S NOTE: Due to some copyright confusion, Spotify have alerted me to the fact that 61 episodes of the podcast (basically most of the early episodes that feature a piece of music called "The Black Waltz" as a theme tune) may soon disappear from the platform. I am trying to resolve this. The composer allows his music to be used under a creative commons licence provided he receives attribution, so I'm not sure what's going on. But if you find episodes disappearing from Spotify...that's what's happened!💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀Supporting my workIf you like, you can donate in the following ways:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encryptedpodYouTube channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnCryptedClassicHorror/joinOne-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcastYou can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS!LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀About the story:"ON THE EMBANKMENT” by Hugh E. Wright. First published in The Blue Magazine, 1919.Music credits:Music used : "DARK LANDS” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/krP80v2x6PY?si=gj6GaLjUegpisrz8SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "THE ORPHAN” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: h https://youtu.be/6QC70OkduK4?si=cryWJVxHYS0lO6oHSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "LONELY” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/r1bpCevW5X0?si=zAmy4SgysHihKMXBSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "THE LOST SONG” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/9dy5SF35dOo?si=9KZDi47ozhrqm2M5SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

Dark rumours surround a famous stage ventriloquist. Does his dummy contain the soul of his former partner?This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “THE DEVIL DOLL” by Frederick E. Smith (1955).CREATOR’S NOTE: These recordings contain sound effects and music because that’s what I personally like to listen to, and what I enjoy making. As you will see from the comments, a lot of the listeners also like it. If it’s not your thing, please feel free to listen to the many other narrators who are voice-only. They will be glad to hear from you.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀Supporting my workIf you like, you can donate in the following ways:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encryptedpodYouTube channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnCryptedClassicHorror/joinOne-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcastYou can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS!LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀About the story:"The Devil Doll” by Frederick E. Smith.Music credits:Music used : "WOMAN IN THE BACKYARD” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/TrAAuRbMxws?si=9wEtfwJtlQpTy6xOSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "THE ORPHAN” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: h https://youtu.be/6QC70OkduK4?si=cryWJVxHYS0lO6oHSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "THE MONKEY” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/QEd1Nqkofdg?si=bJGjbQ6c60E51XqOSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "THE CORRIDOR” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/r0EWPSHD8lY?si=Hq37z_iFByVUpRSjSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

Having relocated their family to her husband’s ancestral home, Laura becomes concerned by their daughter’s increasingly naughty and wilful behaviour, and her husband’s darkening mood, leading her to believe Lichen Hall is not all it seems.This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “THE PLAYFELLOW” by Lady Cynthia Asquith (1929).About the story:"The Playfellow” by Lady Cynthia Asquith. First published in “Shudders” (1929, ed. Cynthia Asquith, pub. Hutchinson). Later collected in “This Mortal Coil” by Lady Cynthia Asquith (1947, pub. Arkham House).Music credits:Music used : "DEEP DARK” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/FMHbF8TBfyU?si=8qeZpawq1L0niXyISUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : TARTINI’S DREAM” composed and produced by Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKanA-7CliUSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used :”CURSED” composed and produced by Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/RywCuFpMo_Q?si=ZOqH3BzOzRFxTk3KSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used :”DEAD EVIL RISES” composed and produced by Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/xYluYDkr1io?si=1W9NOOKWtYhYbzjISUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

Walking in the Cotswolds, a man encounters a strange garden with unfinished walls and its even stranger owner. But what – or who – is this fortress designed to keep out?This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “THE GARDEN THAT WAS DESOLATE” by Ulric Daubeny (1919).💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀Supporting my workIf you like, you can donate in the following ways:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encryptedpodYouTube channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnCryptedClassicHorror/joinOne-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcastYou can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS!LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀"The Garden That Was Desolate" by Ulric Daubeny. First published in "The Elemental: Tales of the Supernormal and the Inexplicable" by Ulric Daubeny (pub. George Routledge & Sons, 1919). Later reprinted by Ash Tree Press (2006).Music credits:Music used : "DEEP DARK” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/FMHbF8TBfyU?si=8qeZpawq1L0niXyI SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : TARTINI’S DREAM” composed and produced by Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKanA-7CliU SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used :”CURSED” composed and produced by Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/RywCuFpMo_Q?si=ZOqH3BzOzRFxTk3KSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used :”DEAD EVIL RISES” composed and produced by Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/xYluYDkr1io?si=1W9NOOKWtYhYbzjI SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

A family adopts a stray poodle who charms its way into their lives, but were the strange portents that heralded the little dog's arrival more than shadow…?This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “MORE THAN SHADOW” by Dorothy Quick (1954).💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀Supporting my workIf you like, you can donate in the following ways:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encryptedpodYouTube channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnCryptedClassicHorror/joinOne-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcastYou can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS!LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀About the story:"More Than Shadow” by Dorothy Quick. First published in Weird Tales magazine, July 1954.Music credits:Music used : "CALL OF THE FORGOTTEN” composed and produced by “Vivek AbhishekMusic link: https://youtu.be/ChrYVOV5QHU?si=mcK7Fqtx6J1tfbblSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "SOUL SEARCHER” composed and produced by Scott BuckleyMusic link: https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/soul-searcher/'Soul Searcher' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic used : "CHRONICLE” composed and produced by Scott Buckley Music link: https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/chronicle/'Chronicle' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

A recently married man becomes convinced that his wife is haunted by a disturbing doppelgänger – perhaps a “fetch” – that only he can see. This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “FETCH” by Rebecca Lloyd (2016).For more information about the author and her work, please visit her website: https://www.beccalloyd.org/💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀About the story: "Fetch” by Rebecca Lloyd. First published in “Ragman & Other Family Curses” by Rebecca Lloyd. Pub. Egaeus Press, 2016.Music credits:Music used : "HAUNTING OF THE LAKE” composed and produced by “Vivek Abhishek”Music link: https://youtu.be/32B0WU0Y7fs?si=t27epqi2-0KlItgxSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "PRESENCE” composed and produced by “Vivek Abhishek”Music link: https://youtu.be/IJDMfZzZmME?si=WoGF56rAtfDP6jLWSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVMusic used : "PSYCHO” composed and produced by “Vivek Abhishek”Music link: https://youtu.be/FDQvE-vBmk8?si=qfxWwzLyTJA1PSu5SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

A bus driver recalls the highs and lows of his life in this dark and blackly comic monologue. This is a bit of an experiment for me, inspired by the popular character monologues written by Alan Bennett that were broadcast on British television in the 1990s. If people like it, I may make it the start of an occasional series called "Talking Dead".“THE BUS DRIVER’S FEAR OF CHANGE” by Jasper L’Estrange. This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. You can hear me discuss this story by listening to an upcoming episode of The EnCrypted Postmortem, my bonus show for paying YouTube channel members and Patreon supporters.CREATOR’S NOTE: These recordings may contain sound effects and music because that’s what I personally like to listen to, and what I enjoy making. As you will see from the comments, a lot of the listeners also like it. If it’s not your thing, please feel free to listen to the many other narrators who are voice-only. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you. The stories I choose to read I choose because I like them - not that they're all perfect or that I agree with all the sentiments expressed, but because I find something in them to recommend them. If I were to read only what I consider to be the few perfect vintage horror stories I should have recorded about twenty and stopped. But everything I read has something in it that appeals to my taste. Tastes differ, so you might not agree with my choices, but that doesn't make you right.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀Supporting my workIf you like, you can donate in the following ways:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encryptedpodYouTube channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnCryptedClassicHorror/joinOne-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcastYou can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS!LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀About the story:"The Bus Driver’s Fear of Change” © Jasper L’Estrange (2025).Music credits:Music used : "LOST BETWEEN SPACES” composed and produced by “Vivek Abhishek”Music link: https://youtu.be/jIak25MK33U?si=cK18_TduDf1LM5CXSUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JVSound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

Visiting Munich on his way to Transylvania, an Englishman ignores the warnings of the hotelier and coach driver in order to explore an abandoned village on the pagan festival of Walpurgis Night.

This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror. “DRACULA’S GUEST” by Bram Stoker (1897).

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CREATOR’S NOTE: These recordings contain sound effects and music because that’s what I personally like to listen to, and what I enjoy making. As you will see from the comments, a lot of the listeners also like it. If it’s not your thing, please feel free to listen to the many other narrators who are voice-only. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you.

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Supporting my work If you like, you can donate in the following ways: Patreon: / encryptedpod YouTube channel membership: / encryptedclassichorror One-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcast You can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS! LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper! If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]

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About the story:

"Dracula’s Guest” by Bram Stoker. Written in 1897. First published in “Dracula’s Guest, and Other Weird Stories” by Bram Stoker (1914, pub. George Routledge & Sons).

Music credits:

Music used : "THE SUMMONING” https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/the-summoning/ 'The Summoning' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music used: “THE OLD ONES”

https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/the-old-ones/ 'The Old Ones' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music used: “HOWLING DARK” composed and produced by “Vivek Abhishek

Music link: https://youtu.be/zIJE6-o6opw?si=EtD305emhfUkqFNg

SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Music used : "VICIOUS” composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"

Music link: https://youtu.be/WB4Wh_60mfo?si=ObioWlEFupU-fNHO

Follow us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Thanks to Scott Buckley and Vivek Abhishek for permission to use their music.

Sound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.

*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.

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This original recording is an audio presentation by Jasper L'Estrange for EnCrypted Horror.

“THE LILY-WHITE BOY” from the book “Haunted Tales” by Adam Macqueen (2024). This story is copyright © Adam Macqueen and read with the author’s permission.

“Haunted Tales” by Adam Macqueen is a collection of supernatural stories that were originally sent in place of Christmas cards to the author’s friends and family. Collected and published by Swift Press, this excellent volume is described as being “a collection in the grand tradition of ghost stories – to be read by the fire in the depths of winter”.

“Haunted Tales” is available to buy in bookshops and online. For more information, visit the publisher’s website: https://swiftpress.com/book/haunted-tales/

Adam Macqueen is a novelist and journalist and writer of non-fiction. Visit the author’s website: https://adammacq.wordpress.com/

You can hear me discuss this story by becoming a channel member and listening to an upcoming episode of The EnCrypted Postmortem, my bonus show for paying YouTube channel members and Patreon supporters.

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Supporting my work

If you like, you can donate in the following ways:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/encryptedpod

YouTube channel membership: https://www.youtube.com/c/EnCryptedClassicHorror/join

One-off donation: https://ko-fi.com/encryptedpodcast

You can now also say THANKS (on YouTube) with a SUPER THANKS!

LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE - it all helps the show survive and prosper!

If you want to discuss the show, talk business, or have any ideas for stories you'd like to hear in future episodes, contact me: [email protected]

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

About the story:

"The Lily-White Boy” by Adam Macqueen. First published in “Haunted Tales” by Adam Macqueen (2024, pub. Swift Press).

Music credits:

Music used : "LONGLEGS” composed and produced by “Vivek Abhishek

Music link: https://youtu.be/RBjwQ6jrby8?si=wzfOHHSRgwXj2ZOA

SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Music used : "LONELY” composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"

Music link: https://youtu.be/r1bpCevW5X0?si=SiruFx--oSkETgkz

Follow us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Music used : "THE ORPHAN” composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"

Music link: https://youtu.be/6QC70OkduK4?si=VRqAwiGJdurnknRk

Follow us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Music used : "THE LAST LETTER” composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"

Music link: https://youtu.be/vjMC2SJjvZo?si=wqE0OOYS8nRY5lof

Follow us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Music used : "CALL OF THE FORGOTTEN” composed and produced by "Vivek Abhishek"

Music link: https://youtu.be/ChrYVOV5QHU?si=B1uaOWgKc044WY93

Follow us on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3qumnPH Follow on Facebook : https://bit.ly/33RWRtP Follow on Instagram : https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV

Sound effects: All sound effects sourced at Freesound*.

*Used with the following licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

The recording was created using Audacity and BandLab. Podcast hosted by Spotify.

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