This happens EVERYTIME I use Spotify. Whenever i just play it from the notification shade or the app and not active on the Spotify app, the app simply mutes but continues playing the song.
As soon as I open the app again, it immediately resumes audio.
So now, I have to resort to keeping the app open. If i dont have to use the phone, open the app and lock the phone so that Spotify is always active, or if I am listening while using the phone, i have to regularly open the app to get the audio.