Approaching the end of the year, most of us not only have the fresh start of a new year to look forward to, but also the anticipation of looking back at ourselves in the past year. Namely, looking back at the songs that we have listened to through Spotify Wrapped (or Apple Music Replay, or its alternatives). Whenever this colourful, data-presenting feature is revealed on music streaming platforms at the end of the year, people would immediately rush over to review what their own data looks like. Typically, the platforms would include data such as the most listened to artists and songs in the previous year. Looking at this presented data then, our minds would instantly ascribe a time period, a person or a place as the reason why these songs and artists became so prominent.
The ability for music to evoke memories is referred to as the ‘music-memory connection’. When we listen to music, what happens is that the hippocampus region in our brain will process that music and its emotional content to encode them as memories. Additionally, the music will also activate the amygdala, which combined with the hippocampus will further strengthen the encoding of the memories. Music then has the power to become a time capsule and this is an ode to retrospection by way of music.
To expand on the term ‘retrospection’, music can be described as similar to the act of writing in our diary, an act which most of us abandoned once we stepped into the angst of teenhood. Once we reach the end of our diary, we would flick through the pages and recollect the memories that each page represents. This is reflected in music where once we reach the end of the year, we go through our favourite songs and be reminded, if not of the memories, then of the emotions of the time period that each song represents. This is what retrospection is all about: “the action of looking back on or reviewing past events or situations, especially those in one’s own life” (Oxford Languages).
When we find an affinity for a song, we tend to play it over and over again. This affinity may have been because of the relatability of the lyrics, the flow of the melody, the emotions behind the vocals or a myriad of other reasons. When listened to repetitively, it is natural then that the song would eventually find its way to accompany us in moments that seem significant. For instance, imagine that at a time of difficulty you kept on listening to the same artist. At the time, it would have seemed like every thought and every moment was dedicated towards gruelling over the minute details of life’s challenges. However, once the difficult moment passes, the object of so much agony may be forgotten even if its lessons have been embedded in you. Fast forward to Spotify Wrapped release day, you are reminded of the artist, and the memories associated come rushing back and you laugh at your past self who could not see beyond the present time.
It is therefore a very special thing that retrospection can be prompted for everyone through year-end music summaries. Everyone’s experiences with their own Spotify Wrapped (or its equivalence) is different, but some degree of retrospection is always included. Say that someone is perplexed at their most streamed song being one that they do not particularly love; by retrospection, it turns out that the song was played incessantly because it was their nephew’s favourite song or the song was left on replay when they accidentally fell asleep while studying for final exams. As a result, we can all understand ourselves and our relation with everything around us better. Because living in our own skin, we sometimes don’t recognise the fact that we’re ever-changing and ever-growing.
Look at our Spotify Wrapped as a narrative that describes us in the past year. In between the fun graphics, you get to see the ups and downs, the people you surround yourself with, the standout moments of your year and delightful serendipity. Sure, some people may say that utilising these year-end wraps for retrospection is making out something to be way ‘deeper’ than it is but in an age where everything feels fast-paced and there is no time to stop and take a breather for contemplation, these small opportunities are important. There are absolutely no arguments against knowing ourselves better. When our relationship with someone progresses from strangers to friends, spending time together with them becomes more exciting and effortless. Similarly, when we become more acquainted with ourselves, we are less harsh on ourselves and previously difficult life decisions are not so difficult anymore.
Not just music, retrospection can also be extended to other media that we engage with. Observe the movies or books that we like and how it relates to us. Consumed art is not just art, they are also an extension of ourselves. The world is confusing enough as it is, so if we could maybe understand ourselves better each year, everything would make more sense.
So, what does your Spotify Wrapped tell about you?
Reference
- (2023) The correlation between memory and music
