Every year, between the end of Thanksgiving and the beginning of December, I keep an eye out for my Spotify Wrapped. When my Spotify Wrapped drops, I’m excited to go through and affirm my top songs, artists, and overall vibe. Usually, I’d say it’s pretty accurate. This year, however, I am unimpressed and confused.Â
Top Songs
No way is what appeared on my screen the correct data that Spotify collects! After all, I was there listening the entire year! I think I would know.
At number one sits “Devil’s Advocate” by The Neighbourhood. Sure, I listened to this one on a few rainy days while driving to work and a couple of times in October, but not enough to grant it the top spot of 2025.Â
Shockingly, my second most played song is Addison Rae’s “Fame is a Gun.” I like girly pop, baddie songs as much as the next person, but I only played this when the atmosphere garnered movie scene like music. And that was not as often as I recall.
The final three songs in the top five include ReneĂ© Rapp’s lead single, “Leave Me Alone,” “I’d Rather Die” by The Driver Era, and “Champagne Coast” by Blood Orange. Those make a bit more sense to me, but again, I don’t feel I listened to them to the point of getting in the top five. Having gone through a breakup earlier this year, I wholeheartedly thought that I’d be getting Ariana Grande’s “Hampstead” in the number one spot, or at least top five. I’m utterly befuddled.
Top Artists
This one wasn’t as terrible, but still missed the mark. My top artists started strong with Ariana Grande in her usual spot as number one. Following her was Lana Del Rey and ReneĂ© Rapp. Icons on icons, if you ask me.Â
The last two artists rattled me to my core. The Driver Era lands the fourth spot, with The Neighbourhood closing out at fifth. What has this year come to? It’s been years since a male artist or group has managed to even attempt gaining a spot in my top five. I pride myself on my top artists being all women every year. You can understand my alarm. While a song from each group made it on my top five, I was merely a casual listener. I thought that Dua Lipa would’ve made my top artists, especially since I saw her in concert this year! Talk about disappointment. Maybe even Selena Gomez or Demi Lovato would’ve made the cut, but no.
Artist Messages
For all that testosterone on my Wrapped, one would think that I’d receive an artist message from them, right? Wrong. I did not get a message from The Driver Era or The Neighbourhood. The audacity! From my top artists, I got a message from Reneé Rapp. Imagine my surprise when my following messages were from Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, Madison Beer, Demi Lovato, and Kesha.
If the messages of gratitude that I’m receiving are all from women, why is there a lack of them on my top lists? Especially considering that some of those women’s videos said “if you’re seeing this that means you’re in my top 0.005% listeners” or “if you’re seeing this I’m your top artist.” It cannot get more confusing than this. Â
Top Albums
The only thing I’ll really give Spotify Wrapped are my top albums. Though, given that these are my top albums, it does beg to differ as to why more songs off these albums weren’t on my top five songs. For this one, I’ll be hopping around the numerical order.
At number two, Reneé Rapp’s sophomore album BITE ME. As a new release, and a concert I went to, it makes sense it’d be on the list. I approve.
Speaking of new releases, Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead, takes the fourth spot. Right under that at fifth is her 2024 release, eternal sunshine.
In the middle of the new releases at number three is Ariana’s fifth album: thank u, next. Last and certainly not least, at the top is her sixth album, Positions. I’m a Positions truther, after all.
I certainly did not expect to see four of Ariana Grande’s albums on my list, but hey, real recognizes real.
The only other gripe I have is that I seem to be the only one who didn’t get a listening age. What’s up with that? Speaking with friends, I’ve heard that they don’t feel that their Spotify Wrapped is entirely accurate either. Hopefully Spotify hears the pushback and next year will be more accurate!