by Emma Grubbe | January 14, 2021 9:09 am
Once again, we arrive at my favorite time of the year. I’m not referring to the Black Friday shopping season, or even that the sun sets at 4pm every day. What I’m talking about is the time of year where everyone I know posts screenshots of their Spotify Wrapped- Year in Review.
In case you’re unfamiliar with it (which it’s hard for me to imagine), Spotify puts out an annual report for their listeners that shows their “most memorable moments of the year”. Listeners, like me, can see everything from their top genre, songs, artists, and however many new artists you discovered over 2020.
It’s amazing how everyone I know listens to such a wide variety of music, but sometimes the reports can be a bit… too true. In years past, I would get excited thinking that my own Top Artists would show how I progressed as a person- but no- from 2016-2019 my top artist was, ashamedly, The 1975.
Don’t get me wrong- I love The 1975. But it’s embarrassing that they were my top artist for 4 years. That’s one thing that I have a problem with Spotify- are they actually reporting my top artists or are they aiming in the ballpark of Indie/Rock/Pop?
One of the things that I don’t necessarily enjoy now that Spotify Wrapped is a thing is this: What if I want to listen to some really embarrassing music? Just for the fun of it? Then, when I post it on my Instagram, all of my friends will see that I listened to Yummy Yummy by The Wiggles for 789 minutes. What happened to listening to music freely and having a non-judgmental app for it?
Also, what’s with people posting their super “underground” bands and then bragging that they have never listened to the Top 50 in their life. Like, we get it, you’re original, but are you going to look me in the eye and tell me that you have never danced to Pop music?
This year, I knew better than to expect anything else. I still feel excited when others share their Spotify Wrapped, but sometimes people pride themselves too much on being tapped into “indie” music. To me, these posts feel like not-so-humble-brags that their music tastes are so much better than others.
I know it’s not that deep, but every year, my own Spotify Wrapped betrays me. Am I really listening to that much Hozier or Fleetwood Mac? I haven’t even touched Mac Miller’s music since July- why is he number 3?
But all honesty, it’s a really fun way to end the year. Music keeps people sane and brings them comfort. Why should people care if others aren’t on any new artist or throwback hits? The truth is Spotify Wrapped challenged the stories I broadcast on social media and stands in opposition to keeping music a secret. There are no “guilty pleasure albums”- just what you choose to spend your time listening to. And if that’s 4289 minutes of My Chemical Romance or 67,859 minutes of Nickelback, so be it.
Source URL: https://antler.express/5660/entertainment/spotify-knows-your-secrets/
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