Happy Spotify Wrapped day to those who celebrate.
I have literally never had a Spotify Wrapped that is anywhere near indicative of what I’ve been listening to. For at least the last two years it has grabbed some random record that I listened to a couple times and decided that I listened to it over and over and over again. Not that these are bad records or that I’m embarrassed to have listened to them, it’s just…not…true?
Last year it was Percy Mayfield who is cool, but I certainly did not listen to an entire album of his more than I listened to, say, the new Ovlov album. This year it decided that I had listened to the Ahmad Jamal Trio’s “The Awakening” so much that all of the songs on the record are the top 5 songs I listened to this year? I dunno.
Also in looking through my top 100 tunes it has “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun at #12. I don’t dislike that song for a mid 2000s synthpop confection and I probably even listened to it a few times but to have it as my 12th most listened to song of the year is just shockingly off.
Anyway, I’ve combed through the Top 100 of my Spotify Wrapped and tried to align a slightly more true version, at least according to my memory:
Blood and Fire - Niney the Observer
This was actually pretty high up on my list which makes sense because it was literally on every single reggae radio station that I put on all summer. I actually really like this song (and referenced it in a BN a while ago about a PJ Harvey demo) but I think it might start getting thumbs down-ed if that’s even a thing you can do on Spotify.
Hit the Breaks - PLOSIVS
I listened the fuck out of this record when it came out. Catchy, garage-y San Diego punk supergroup. This isn’t my fav song on the record but it was the highest in my Wrapped because it’s the opening track.
Wrong’em Boyo - the Rulers
I listened to this tune a bunch because I’ve been trying to research who the fuck “The Rulers” were and there’s almost zero info about them out there. This tune is better known for the cover version on the Clash’s London Calling but I really love the OG, especially the kind of random opening rendition of the trad blues tune “Stagger Lee” at the beginning.
Another Morning Stoner - …And You Will Know Us by The Trail of Dead
Another song that was just literally on every punk/emo/rock radio station that I put on for most of the year. Love this record to death and also this song. Kind of don’t need to hear it again for a while.
Reflections of Divine Love - Stuff
I bought this record on vinyl out of a 99cent bin in Oakland years ago and it’s a fucking jam. Bunch of session musicians just fucking around when they weren’t backing up far bigger acts. Sounds like the outro music from 90s SNL. Groovy, jazzy instrumental funk rock. Perfect for parties.
Want - Jawbreaker
Jawbreaker nostalgia hit me hard this year. I love this song. Debated covering it with Belonging so I listened to it a fuck load.
C’est La Vie No. 2 - Phosphorescent
Totally random tune that just showed up on some playlist I was listening to. Super catchy mopey white guy indie stuff. I put it on repeat when I’m feeling maudlin.
Thorn in My Side - Quicksand
Saw Quicksand last year and got super into this record. I had always loved their first record but had sort of written this one off as a mushy mess. The more I listen to it the more I like it. Especially this song and Landmine Spring.
Vibes is Right - Barrington Levy
Found this tune via a DJ set by dancehall merry pranksters Equiknoxx’s Gavsborg. It fucking rules. I’ve noticed that this was a vibe on a particular type of 70s/80s roots reggae records where they would close out the album with a super long, plaintive tune with no drums. It’s not dubby per-se but just kind of…vibe-y? Another good example is “Fools Die” off Peter Tosh’s “Wanted…Dread or Alive.”
Cloak & Dagger - Burna Boy feat. J Hus
Afrobeats ruled my 2022. I got totally obsessed with the genre and jammed it to the point that Anna started giving me shit about it. Still very much on that tip, although I think I have sort of had my fill for a bit. This song fucking rules though. Will drop a playlist of afrobeats in Big Nothing before too long.
So there you have it. Less annoying graphics. Less “understanding the assignment.” But some jams from my Spotify Wrapped nonetheless.
That’s all for today. Thanks for listening.