My Year in Music Before Spotify Wrapped Arrives

 

It is December, and even though Spotify Wrapped has not officially landed yet, I have already released mine in my own head. I realised something funny as I looked back on my year in music. I have been using the same phone for five years, which also means I stayed with Apple Music for all five of those years. That is a long commitment in this age of constant switching. This year I finally decided to try Spotify. It has been a major evolution, and I must admit that I miss my Christmas playlist on Apple more than I expected. I might even return to Apple just for that playlist alone.

My church playlist is another thing I have loved this year. Songs like Yeshua, Blessings and Holy Forever by CeCe Winans having been played constantly and not forgetting the Don Moen songs too. Spotify has its charm, but I still find myself missing the simplicity of Apple Music. This is nostalgia talking but the feeling is real. This is probably not even the right time to talk about music apps.

Last year my favourite album was GNX by Kendrick Lamar. I have replayed that album so many times that I could probably recite half of it without trying. I am genuinely happy he has been nominated for Album of the Year and I hope he wins. My most played song in 2024, though, was from Taylor Swift. Track twelve from her album, LOML, lived in my mind rent free.

This year has fell short in music. I have a fresh list of favourites but I must confess that I have not enjoyed the music scenery as much. Everything felt a little slow until August when artists suddenly started dropping new albums again. I barely listened to Morgan Wallen and my relationship with country music has been distant ever since Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood stopped holding my attention and Taylor shifted into new creative territory. Maybe I need to go back and rediscover what I have missed. And Zach Brown has a few good ones. He was on my 2023 list with the song, I remember Everything featuring Kacey Musgraves who also didn’t release anything this year. Deeper Well is still in session according to her calendar. We need to wait till 2027 if she follows that three year thing she does.

There was also far less alternative music that pulled me in compared to the previous years. In 2023 I had boygenius, The National and Lana Del Rey all fighting for my year end list. And last year had Bon Iver songs floating all over my headphones. This year began slowly, as I mentioned, although The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow album kept me grounded in January. Then FKA Twigs came in with her album Eusexua which is truly a masterpiece. The Eusexua Afterglow, which is is a successor, has left a mark on me.

Somehow I also fell into a Sade phase and the people in my house are probably tired of hearing the Lovers Rock album. By Your Side has taken over my mornings and it will definitely appear in my Wrapped. I always say that my favourite songs are not necessarily my most played songs and that still holds true.

This year my list is also a little biased because there are barely any African songs on it. Last year I had Tyla’s song and in 2023, Me and U dominated until Taylor released Is It Over Now. If Spotify Wrapped were based on December alone then Go Girl by Summer Walker with Latto would probably win. Her new album is good although I still prefer her previous one.

I also want to give a special mention to Wolf Alice. The Sofa would have topped my chart if not for Wi$hli$t, which is a cheesy pop song that somehow stole my attention. Fate of Ophelia was another song so beautifully made that I loved it the more I listened.

My favourite album this year came from Bon Iver. Sable, Fable is a classic and it’d enter the records. There is something about the language of that album that feels beyond ordinary expression. The six year break since their last album was clearly worth it because this new one feels like a world of its own. I also want to appreciate Lorde for Shapeshifter. In 2021 Solar Power was my favourite album despite the critics and I still stand by that. It is truly a weed album!

Sam Fender did not hit second place for me this year the way his 2021 album, Seventeen Going Under did. I enjoyed People Watching but I think I will wait for the deluxe edition before I make my final judgement. I am also happy to have discovered Olivia Dean. Her song, Lady Lady grows on me every time I play it even though I cannot explain why Man I Need feels too pop for me.

And I cannot forget Jade from Little Mix. Her album surprised me in the best way. It is genuinely good, and she delivered something worth celebrating. Unfortunately, the Grammys snubbed her on the list of best new artist. Two of the albums I have been listening to all year ended up being nominated for Album of the Year. Clipse made the list, and so did Mutt by Leon Thomas. I am in an Uber on my way to the hospital, listening to Mutt, and I gotta admit: the album is absolutely divine. It was a right decision to add it to the list. The title track itself should have been on my favourites list, but I did not play it enough times for it to qualify. I had to struggle a bit to choose what truly belonged on my list, which only proves one thing. I really do listen to albums that are that good.

So, below are my lists: favorite albums and songs of 2025. Share yours in the comments and tell me which ones you have heard. I want to know what songs you loved this year and which albums stood out for you.

PS —  The cover image represents my feeling when I listen to music.