Twitter rumoured to launch music app over the weekend

Next up on the jukebox — Twitter Music.

The microblogging service plans to launch its new standalone music application on Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter.

(Update 7:59 pm PT: Of note — another source claims that the app will indeed launch this weekend at Coachella, though not necessarily on Friday.)

The app suggests artists and tracks to users based on a number of personalized signals, including the Twitter accounts a user follows on the microblogging service. Users will be able to listen to clips of music from inside the app, using third-party services like iTunes and SoundCloud; they will also be able to watch music videos provided by Vevo, the music video service owned by Universal Music and Sony.

Earlier today, Twitter acknowledged that it had acquired We Are Hunted; last year, Twitter bought the music recommendation service and put its staff to work building the new app.

Timing of the launch couldn’t be more appropriate. It’s the weekend that kicks off Coachella, the huge music festival presented in the middle of the California desert every year, attracting some of the music industry’s top talent.

Twitter did not respond to a request for comment.