Spotify blocks notification bar - no way to turn off

[EvilVik]

In one of the recent updates a 'now playing' appeared in the notification bar. How do I get rid of it permanently?

It's there even if I turn off all notifications for Spotify. I can hide it if I long press it, but it comes back with the next song. 

It's also a completely useless feature, just FYI. 

[johnstavola]

I think it is also an issue with the Android dot notifications with the latest update.   Here is an example - when I have spotify playing, the widget takes up majority of the notifications space so I only see the latest notification.... vs. not having spotify playing I see the latest 3 notification.   

[mikemanpl]

@Joan It is uploaded as a short to youtube. I have asked my friends, they are able to play it. Can you please chceck again?

@johnstavola: This is exactly what it is. Yours is not animated with colourful icon and dummy equalizer like mine. Either way, it's useless and I'd really like to have option to switch it off from the notification bar.