Gabe Jacobs, co-founder of music discovery platform Cymbal, has launched Corus to connect listeners and film fans through shared taste rather than algorithmic recommendations.
Gabe Jacobs, co-founder of the music discovery platform Cymbal, has launched Corus – a social app designed to connect music and film lovers through shared taste rather than algorithmic feeds.
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Cymbal ran from 2015 to 2018 and used a Reddit-style chart and upvote system for music discovery. Corus takes a different approach, drawing more from Instagram and Letterboxd in its visual and social design. Users share favourite songs and films, connect with others who love the same, and discover new music and movies through people rather than recommendation engines. The app launched on 5 April and currently integrates with Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, SoundCloud and Deezer.
“Cymbal was great, but the focus moved away from the self-expression side of things and the social element. Corus is going to lean into that side of things. It’s going to be about connecting and celebrating the art we love that we share in common,” says Jacobs.
The platform runs on a free and premium membership model, with Jacobs committed to keeping it ad-free. Free users can share up to five posts per day, while premium subscribers get unlimited posting, profile customisation, playlist exports and access to a dedicated Favourites feed. The subscription model is designed to keep the platform sustainable without relying on advertising revenue.
Recent additions to the app include feeds highlighting trending discussions and notable releases from the previous 30 days. Jacobs has also flagged plans to explore ways for artists to generate income through the platform, though no specific details have been announced yet.
“It doesn’t feel like there’s a really comfy place on the internet to express yourself and connect to others over the art we love,” Jacobs says. “Current social media hurts to use and is full of ads, bots, and algorithms that pigeon-hole us. I want this to be different, more human and authentic. For me, I always felt I was being my most authentic when I shared the things I loved.”
Corus is available now at corus.fm.
