And that’s when the series reveals its inventive approach and structure, which proceeds to examine the birth and growth of Spotify from a range of perspectives, each episode pivoting on a different character. The second one, The Industry, moves on to flesh out Per and his position. The Lawyer features Petra Hansson (Gizem Erdogan) as she endeavours to negotiate between the record companies, which she describes as resistant to change, and the tech pioneers, who are opposed to compromise.

The Coder focuses on Spotify’s gifted and idealistic CTO, Andreas Ehn (Joel Lutzow). The Partner profiles Ek’s flamboyant financier, Martin Lorentzon (Christian Hillborg). And bounding into the territory of prophecy, the audacious finale, The Artist, features musician Bobbi T, who’s also a former schoolmate of Daniel’s. Consistent with the opener, each episode has a zinger of a conclusion and the closer is stunning, in its own cheeky way also challenging what’s preceded it.

The prismatic perspective results in illuminating overlaps, with certain events revisited and cast in a different context. However, such repetition does nothing to inhibit the drama’s momentum, the camera frequently following fast-moving characters down hallways and through offices, creating an impression of irrevocable forward motion.

Particularly impressive and ultimately moving is the episode featuring Martin, a man of deep pockets, infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy. An instinctive rule-breaker, his drive to upend the existing order is different from, but equal to, Daniel’s. The union of the singular, doggedly determined visionary and his backer is beautifully rendered, representing that elusive sweet spot where big ideas productively meet commerce, where the loner ideas man hits the jackpot with someone who has the resources and the nous to back him.

Loading

While modernist in its methods, the series smoothly and intelligently weaves its stories into an enlightening whole, forming a vivid impression of life at the heady frontlines of the bloodless digital revolution.

Finally, The Playlist persuasively proposes that this radical change is comparable to the industrial revolution, particularly regarding the exploitation of workers, here identified as the musicians on whose creative output these empires, both the old guard of the music business and the young Turks of the emergent digital powerhouse, are built.

Amid this year’s impressive handful of rise-and-fall stories, this is more of a rise-and-rise tale, although it’s not without its casualties, damages and unhappy descents.

Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.