Drops launches as a social app for sharing song clips

Each clip runs 10 to 30 seconds and appears with lyrics, album artwork, artist photos and captions. Users can like, comment on, repost, share or save songs in collections called Droplists. The app also supports profiles, follows and direct messages, with tabs including “For You,” “New,” “Showcase” and “Following.”

Drops general manager Clare Hunter said the idea grew from the way people once traded recommendations through friends, music blogs and online communities. She said users often tell friends to skip to a particular point in a song, but lacked a good way to share that moment. Hunter said the concept began taking shape after Harman acquired music management software company Roon in 2023. She described Drops as the version of the mixtapes she used to make for friends.

For full-track listening, Drops connects with Apple Music, Qobuz and TIDAL, allowing users to open songs in those services. The company says it does not use generative AI for audio or visuals; tracks appear with official artwork and licensed artist photography. Drops also says it pays rights holders and reports plays to partners including Universal Music Group, Beggars Group, Empire, Symphonic Distribution and UnitedMasters. Plays count toward streams on those services, so Drops is not intended to replace music subscriptions.

The app is currently invite-only. U.S. users can join its waitlist.