Spotify users gutted over ‘lazy’ Wrapped & threaten to switch to alternative

THIS year’s Spotify Wrapped event has left listeners feeling hard done by, with users confused over a “lazy” theme and missing features.

Since its launch in 2016, Spotify Wrapped has become an internet sensation, with users plastering screenshots of their roundups on their social media pages like badges of honour.

Millions tune into the annual event.

But many have been left outraged by a lack of top genres and fun trivia about their favorite songs or artists in their Wrapped.

Folks are also confused why it did not have a section for top podcasts.

“It was sooo underwhelming this year,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Ugh no genres, no top albums.”

“This year’s Spotify Wrapped felt so rushed and lazy,” said a second user.

Another added that it “makes me wanna move over to Apple Music… is it really that good over there?”

A fourth person replied, saying: “I’m thinking about it too… apparently the audio quality is better.

“[Wrapped] feels so lifeless and dull this year, plus it didn’t show our top genres.”

Apple Music is largely considered Spotify’s top rival – and has come up with its Wrapped-inspired Replay which shows your music stats from the past year.

While Apple doesn’t cough up any trivia, it does break down your top genres, your top artists by month, top songs by month and more.

One rumour circulating online suggests Spotify’s layoffs last year have directly impacted the Wrapped experience this year.

People are saying that Spotify replaced much of its Wrapped team with artificial intelligence (AI).

However, there is no evidence of this.

The only AI used in Spotify Wrapped appears to be the AI DJ, AI Playlist and AI Podcast feature, which accompanies your usual Spotify Wrapped.

Although, the gobbledygook ‘genres’ Spotify offered users has not helped the allegations, according to several tweets from listeners.

Users were given a seemingly random assortment of words in place of genres, such as “grandmother old school soul motown”, “pumpkin spice rollerskating pop”, “mallgoth rock out metalcore” and “pink pilates princess strut pop”.

Spotify has adopted what appears to be ‘internet speak’ to convey its genres this year, which can only be understood by the chronically online.

“Spotify Wrapped has lost what made it so dynamic in the first place,” another user added.

“The city mapping and zodiac sign integration etc made it fun and immersive.”

While a sixth listener tweeted: “Wrapped was such a BUST compared to years prior.

“I’ve saved screenshots of all my wraps and this one was by far the most unoriginal and bland use of my data.”