Spotify Wrapped Anxiety – A Musical Retrospective
For the past decade, Spotify has been treating its users to their own musical retrospective of the year. This ritual is eagerly awaited among many music lovers, who see it as an opportunity to learn more about their own and other people’s tastes in music. But for some, it’s become a source of anxiety.
“This is possibly the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me,” writes Megan, who goes by the handle @neckdeepslive on X. This phrase accompanies a screenshot of her Spotify Wrapped, featuring five tracks from the soundtrack of the “Wonka” movie.
On Wednesday, millions of users discovered a personalised rundown of the music, artistes and podcasts they listened to most on Spotify in 2024. And every year, it’s the same story: some congratulate themselves on being part of the “0.0001% of listeners” who listen the most to a particular artiste, while others feel a certain shame at discovering their true musical preferences.
Indeed, our musical tastes say a lot about who we really are. In research published in 2022 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Cambridge University scientists claim that musical tastes unite people with common personality traits, whatever their origin, language, culture or place of residence.
Extroverts are more attracted to positive, upbeat, danceable contemporary music, while curious and open-minded individuals supposedly prefer more complex melodies, whether jazz, classical compositions or classic rock.
Of course, these are general trends, and everyone uses music in their own way.
Fear of Judgement
But some people are apprehensive about publicly revealing what music they listen to – a feeling referred to as “Spotify Wrapped anxiety”.
Some types of music are more open to criticism than others, leading users to worry about being exposed to stigma or shame when revealing their preferences.
“Some listeners may feel that their taste in music or musical choices may be up for judgement from those who see them in a completely different light, which can be a source of anxiety,” psychologist Dina El Adlani told Stylist magazine in 2021.
This stems from the fact that some types of music are more open to criticism than others. For example, so-called mainstream pop is often perceived as being of lower quality than independent music. However, the success of Taylor Swift, an emblematic figure of the genre, proves the contrary.
Still, by sharing your musical retrospective of the year on social networks, you run the risk of exposing yourself to stigma or shame if your preferences are not socially acceptable. Some internet users choose to laugh it off, poking fun at their supposed “bad taste” in music.
“Guys, I’m not able to take a screenshot of my Spotify Wrapped, but it’s full of super niche underground alt critically acclaimed artists that none of you have probably ever heard of, I pinky promise,” posted Anoushka, aka @addera11ange1, on X.
While many will agree that this ranking is indicative of their music listening habits, it’s important to remember it’s also the result of algorithms and how they work. Spotify relies on our listening time to determine our musical tastes, assuming we listen most often to what we like best – which isn’t always the case.
So it’s best to take Spotify Wrapped with a grain of salt: it reveals your preferences, yes, but with conditions at play – and only for the past 12 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spotify Wrapped offers users a glimpse into their musical preferences, but it also highlights the anxiety some may feel about sharing their tastes publicly. Ultimately, music is a personal experience, and how we engage with it should not be dictated by societal norms or algorithms.
FAQs
1. What is Spotify Wrapped anxiety?
Spotify Wrapped anxiety refers to the apprehension some users feel about publicly revealing their music preferences through the annual Spotify Wrapped feature.
2. How does Spotify determine our musical tastes?
Spotify relies on algorithms that analyze users’ listening time to determine their musical preferences.
3. What are some common trends in musical tastes based on personality traits?
Extroverts are more drawn to positive, upbeat, danceable contemporary music, while curious and open-minded individuals tend to prefer more complex melodies such as jazz, classical compositions, or classic rock.
4. Why do some users feel anxiety about sharing their music preferences?
Some types of music are more susceptible to criticism, leading users to worry about being judged or stigmatized based on their musical choices.
5. How can users navigate Spotify Wrapped anxiety?
Users can approach Spotify Wrapped with a sense of humor and remember that musical preferences are subjective and personal.
6. Is Spotify Wrapped an accurate reflection of one’s music tastes?
While Spotify Wrapped provides insights into users’ listening habits, it is important to consider that algorithms play a role in determining the results.
7. What should users keep in mind when sharing their Spotify Wrapped results?
Users should remember that musical preferences are diverse and subjective, and sharing one’s Spotify Wrapped should not be a source of shame or anxiety.
8. How can users use Spotify Wrapped as a tool for self-discovery?
Users can use Spotify Wrapped as an opportunity to explore new music genres, artists, and podcasts that align with their interests and preferences.
9. What role does societal perception play in music preferences?
Societal perceptions can influence how users perceive their own music tastes and may contribute to feelings of anxiety or stigma when sharing their preferences.
10. How can users enjoy music without worrying about judgement?
Users can embrace their unique music tastes, explore a variety of genres, and remember that music is a personal experience that should be enjoyed without fear of judgement.
Tags
Spotify, Spotify Wrapped, Music, Anxiety, Personal Preferences