Welcome to the most dangerous, most widely participated-in academic review I have ever written. I did not choose it — it chose me.
There are few things more vulnerable than Spotify Wrapped. I would say the only things that top it are 3 a.m. conversations in parking lots or taking a scalpel and exposing your organs. This is how we find out who has taste and who doesn’t, who’s actually been a different person this whole time and who’s not doing OK.
I don’t listen to a lot of mainstream music, at least not while it’s popular. I like to wait until the hype around things dies out a little bit before I get interested in them.
Basically, I’m not qualified. If you want to read content from someone who understands what’s actually happening in the music scene go check out Queue it Up with Kay.
NOTE TO THE STAFF: after this kind of response turnout, I expect this from all of you for every Academic Review AND Staff Picks moving forward. This is proof you do see the Slack messages. Next time I ask for snowman pictures, I better see them on my desk by noon.
Paul Czarnecki | Editor-in-Chief
I don’t know who any of these artists are, so I will be going off vibe. City and Colour (British spelling, nice) seems neat. Blind Pilot sounds like Twenty One Pilots, but you shouldn’t be flying a plane if you can’t see. I don’t know what’s going on with mxmtoonwhatever. Ricky Montgomery is a boring name, but the Decemberists is a cool name. Points off for Apple Music. 5/10.
Nick Smith | Managing Editor
A lotta names I recognize here, which is refreshing. Kendrick appears to be having a moment this year, so I suppose that’s a point. And good for Billie, I don’t know. Points firmly off for Kanye. 6/10.
Ellie Myers | Associate Editor
Listen. LISTEN. Katzenjammer is incredible, and all of you are sleeping on them. They are a Norwegian girl band that broke up in 2016. Ever wanted to hear every genre of music in one album? They got you.
And I will not be defending “Cats,” as it’s an incredible musical with no flaws. It needs no defense. Did I mostly listen to it because I had to sing songs from it for school? Yes.
And the Gray Havens make music FOR THE LORD, so in MY book, that’s A THOUSAND points. 1,010/10. I do not make the rules. (Another thing I do not have is the music taste to effectively review other people’s music taste.)
Tori Smith | News Editor
Our first Chappell Roan appearance! Welcome to my favorite artist’s favorite artist. Fleetwood Mac and Hozier are excellent additions. This is a respectable wrapped. 8/10.
Zee O’Donnell | Features Editor
I used to hate Taylor (or at least not understand why people liked her so much), but then I babysat an 8-year-old who made me watch the eras tour, and, honestly, it kinda won me over. So, Taylor may pass. Chappell may also pass, and I don’t know who the other three people are so they can mooch off the other two. Never heard of the Crane Wives before, but it sounds cool. 7/10.
Lillian Davis | Photo Editor
I didn’t know oranges could be emotional. I thought they could only be annoying. I don’t recognize a single name on here except maybe the Black Keys, and I don’t even know how I know them. I will be rating based on color. The blue gives a nice contrast to the orange, but the green sits a little bit weirdly, so the points are canceled out. Also, points off for Apple Music. 6/10.
Kate Marlett | Copy Editor
I can’t honestly say that I was expecting Celine Dion from anybody this Wrapped, but I feel fine about it. I’m glad people are still listening to Meghan Trainor too, I like her. BTS doesn’t surprise me, knowing Kate, and I don’t know the other two well. So let’s go 6/10.
Rhianna Smith-Burns | News Reporter
Very femme-forward and thoughtful storytelling selection. Lots of Taylor here. As said before, she has won my respect. That said, I haven’t listened to TTPD much because I didn’t think it sounded dramatic enough for a title like that so points off. I have no quarrel with the other two ladies. Points off for Apple Music. 7/10.
Kaylie Foster | Features Reporter
Uh oh, Kaylie! -17/10.
Livi Davis | Features Reporter
Some cool people here. First Ariana appearance, which we love after “Wicked.” I recognize Suki Waterhouse from the album review Livi wrote earlier this semester, and I will add a point for that. Lots of lowercase going on in the song titles, which is interesting. 8/10.
Ava Knox | Features Reporter
I feel like we’re seeing some cool dudes on here. I respect that. And all of them (except the Killers) are familiar to me. I like Hozier. 6/10 (I’ve been giving a lot of 7s, and I gotta mix it up, so I’m going backward).
Abigail Katharin | Features Reporter
Abby comin’ in with the country representation. I think the only song I can name by any of these people is “excuse me you look like you love me,” which is Ella Langley, I believe. And I would like a point for remembering that. I have nothing against country. 5/10 (same sitch. I’ve been giving a lot of 6-8 range, it’s nothing personal).
Noah March | Sports Reporter
I’m blonde on blonde! And Bob Dylan is good. Although, I honestly don’t know if I can name any of his songs now that I think about it. 7/10. Oh, I almost forgot to take points off for Apple Music. 4/10.
Josiah Dolan | Photographer
This seems chill. I like Coldplay. And Michael Giacchino?? Do we have a fellow movie soundtrack listener?? 9/10.
Anysia Hovel | Photographer
Welcome to the team, Anysia! A decent selection here, I think. But, again, I only recognize a couple names. I think what we have here is enough to trust you as a member of staff. It seems pretty chill. 7/10.
Laura Eurich | Scribe Faculty Advisor
This is actually fire. What a lineup. “Vienna” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” are two of my favorites ever. Laura has the best music taste of all of us. 11/10.
Photo via The Scribe archives.