Since its launch in 2016, Spotify Wrapped has gracefully and colorfully arrived as an early Christmas present every year, providing users with a detailed analysis of their listening that year. 

When Wrapped drops, so do flurries of Instagram stories flaunting people’s top artists and songs. Some are overjoyed with their stats, others are less than impressed. With all the attention that Spotify Wrapped gets, is it really worth the hype?

Senior Annika Culver said, “I like Spotify Wrapped; I think it’s fun… it’s exciting to see your friends music and what they’re listening to.”

This is a common viewpoint, and junior Jenna Levine agrees, “I look forward to it,” she said.  

In regards to posting about wrapped, Culver said she thinks “people are excited to see what others are listening to.” Seeing others’ Wrapped can reveal a bit about who they are. “Sometimes you see people in the hallway and you’re just so curious about what they’re listening to,” Culver said.

Freshman Paul Aung thinks Wrapped could be a way for people to find common ground and bond over similar music tastes. He said posting on social media “showcases who you listen to and can draw people together. What if you have the same music taste?” 

Some are surprised by their results. Levine remarked, “sometimes I’m shocked because I don’t realize how much I’ve listened to a song.”

Spotify shows exactly what songs and artists people listened to the most, but it might not truly show what they liked the most. The top five lists of artists and songs may not be an accurate portrayal of someone’s music taste. Aung said, “I listen to a lot of artists, not just the one that’s my number one.” 

Seeing your friends’ Spotify Wrapped is a way for people to discover new music and explore new artists. Aung believes that Spotify showing listeners their top genres “allows people to explore more of it.”

On the other hand, Wrapped has the potential for people to become pretentious about their music taste. “Wrapped is all about bragging about what you listen to,” Culver observed, “the people who post are proud of their Wrapped.” Wrapped almost becomes a competition of who has the best taste in music. Culver said, “I’m scared people are going to judge me for music taste.” 

Overall, Spotify Wrapped might encourage users to be snobbish about their taste; however, it provides a way to share your favorite music, discover new genres, and see what others are listening to. Plus, it can be something to look forward to every November 30th.