With Spotify Wrapped and Apple Replay being released recently, Red Knights are buzzing in the hallways, talking about who the best artists are to have on a top artist or album. Spotify Wrapped and Apple Replay are annual features that give users a personalized summary of their most listened to songs, artists, and albums over the past year. For some, it is a moment of pride, while others feel nervous sharing their playlists because of what music can say about a person.
Many Red Knights believe that one’s most-played songs and artists reveal a lot about their personality. “I have a very diverse style of music—rap, country, instrumental—it all depends on how I’m feeling. I think you can see a person’s personality change throughout the year by looking at their Wrapped or Replay. It’s like a time capsule of your moods and phases,” senior Ella Pasqua said.
Students have different takes on what music can say about an individual. It could show one’s personality or their feelings and can be fascinating to look back on at the end of the calendar year. “If you listen to energetic music like house music, you probably have a lot of energy. If it’s sad music, maybe you’re going through something. It’s a snapshot of where you are emotionally,” senior Judah Johnson-Nixon said.
Sometimes, Red Knights get insecure about the music that they listen to and taste in songs. Meanwhile, others are exhilarated to share their music taste with friends or on social media. For some, sharing their top songs feels vulnerable. “Sometimes I get scared to share my music with others about what I listen to, because it might not be popular or when they might not agree with my musical opinions,” senior Kate Cornell said.
There is an ongoing debate between whether Spotify Wrapped or Apple Replay is better. This dispute continues to divide music fans. Some students believe that Spotify Wrapped offers a more entertaining presentation. “I personally think Spotify Wrapped is better than Apple Replay even though I use Apple Music more. I think Spotify Wrapped is more interesting to see its displays in a more aesthetic manner,” senior Ella Pasqua said.
Other Red Knights argue that Apple Replay is superior as it offers weekly and monthly recaps. “Apple Replay gives you more consistent updates throughout the year, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the year to see your preferred music stats,” senior Judah Johnson-Nixon said.
As the year begins to come to a close, the real question isn’t just who your top artist will be but what that artist says about you in the past year of your life. Whether you prefer Spotify Wrapped or Apple Replay, both show the musical journey. For Red Knights, it is more than stats; it is a look back at the moods, memories, and moments that shaped the year.