The only thing keeping us going through finals week isn't the prospect of winter break, a real meal or even going out with the gang one last time — it's eagerly reopening Spotify until Spotify Wrapped finally pops up on the screen.
The next step of this highly anticipated ritual is then going on Instagram and judging everyone else's Wrappeds and convincing yourself that your taste is superior. Listening to "Rasputin" on loop while lying on the floor that one night did no damage to the playlist that was curated for you.
What was your listening age, again?
Finally, it is time to use my unbiased, stoic editorial judgement to rank the best of the best. The State Pressers who have written about music all semester are finally forced to be vulnerable.
READ MORE: State Press, wrapped: Top 5 reporter Spotify Wrappeds
Editor's Note: Names have been omitted to protect identities and keep you guessing.
6. bbno$, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish
This Wrapped is the perfect summary of necessities to get you through the semester. It is a well-balanced, fun blend of music that cannot disappoint. The AJR feature is a cliché, sure, but the Arcane and Billie Eilish balance it out nicely. Clearly, this reporter knows what balanced taste means.
5. Drake, Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean
Are the male manipulator vibes coming off this selection sufficiently obvious? Even if I could move past the Apple Music choice, I cannot look at Drake's music on someone's playlist and not wonder where this reporter's loyalties lie. The R&B & Soul music is restoring my faith a little, but tread lightly, and maybe consider listening to female manipulator music next year.
4. ROLE MODEL, Paramore, Clairo
This reporter's Wrapped embodies the spirit of the Echo perfectly. The indie pop points to some performative tendencies, but I'm willing to move past those for ROLE MODEL. Djo is also a perfectly respectable choice, and the combination of classic music and newer indie definitely gets points.
3. Charli xcx, Doja Cat, SZA
You can never go wrong with SZA or Doja Cat, but Ariana Grande is a red flag for me. The only exception is if you're listening to the Wicked soundtrack. I'll have to wait for clarification before making a judgment, I guess. In the meantime, Tyler, the Creator and the rap artists on this Wrapped are doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
2. A.R. Rahman, Beach House, Gorillaz
A Bollywood music feature on the Wrapped is evidence of superior taste, and that is just an objective fact. My being Indian has nothing to do with this reporter's excellent choice in music. While Beach House and Don Toliver are definitely cause for concern, I will happily pretend they're not there and focus on SZA.
1. Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys, Pritam
This Wrapped might look a little off-putting, but this completely anonymous reporter, who is not the desk editor at all, has asked to clarify that she shares her Spotify account with her brother, whose music taste is still developing. Let's go easy on the Taylor Swift feature and focus on how Kendrick is her top artist.
As was previously established, the Bollywood feature also indicates that this anonymous reporter has thoughtfully curated music taste. Her phone was often used to play generic party music when her friends came over. Sorry for having a life!
Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at ktale@asu.edu and follow @KasturiTale on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Kasturi Tale is the Echo desk editor at the State Press. She has previously worked on her own blog and has a background in creative writing.
