Nobenber Has Come (and gone)

Hello team,

For those confused by the title, look up "November Has Come" by Gorillaz. Actually maybe don't. But just know it's a reference.

As you are all aware, today is one of the most important days of the year. I'm sure everyone leapt for joy upon seeing their Spotify wrapped notification this morning, and I know we all felt the same excitement as we clicked the small green notification and awaited judgement.

Spotify wrapped day is one of the highlights of my year. Every year, long dead group chats spring back to life for a glorious day of oversharing and awkward vulnerability. Embarrassment and discomfort are on full display as people hem and haw about why their top artist was Taylor Swift, why their top song is called "Put Your Big Toe in the Milk of Human Kindness", or why they have 1,300 minutes listening to Kanye when last year they said they "just can't keep supporting such a misogynistic person."

You all know my opinion on "being basic". Who cares if you like Taylor Swift? Embrace jamming out to the Radio Top 10! Don't let people gatekeep your joy! I could not care less what people listen to or what they enjoy.

But... Every year I find myself giggling with delight as I watch the people around me dissolve into insecure husks - unable to cope with the reality of their listening habits.

With every "oh I share this account with other people" and "my kids make me play this song all the time" I find my smile growing. The hoops people jump through to justify their statistics, and the clear discomfort people have with sharing their musical opinions, fill me with some sort of sick satisfaction.

I totally understand why people feel awkward sharing this part of themselves, there's something inherently vulnerable about music. Music can occupy a very personal and emotional space for many people, and sharing it can feel like sharing a part of yourself. The hesitation to share and the desire to save face are perfectly natural.

And let's be clear, I'm not above any of this myself. This year I was shocked and horrified to learn that my top song was "Parallel" by OVERWERK. This is entirely because this song was played on repeat as background music on Halloween. Despite my recognition of this, the reaction I had was visceral. I felt the immediate desire to scream to the world that this is not who I am and not a reflection of what I like.

But let's be real, Spotify knows me better than I know myself. And the fact is that I did play "Parallel" 47 times in one day. Does the reason matter? Just because it was for an event doesn't mean it didn't happen. This is a part of me. I have to live with this.

We all have these parts of ourselves. The parts we don't like to share, but that make us who we are. Whether you're announcing your "basic-ness", highlighting your insecurities, flying your freak flag, or simply opening yourself to new people, Spotify wrapped day invites us to embrace the full spectrum of humanity, both within ourselves and in those around us.

So, after all this, I reiterate that today is one of the most important days of the year. Take the opportunity today to experience humanity in a way you only can through Spotify wrapped. Relish in the existential discomfort of today. Find the beauty in the utter despair of realizing you have listened to the Cars soundtrack more than you've listened to your own kids' voices.

And of course, send your Spotify wrapped so we can all have deep insight into who you are as a person. Not as you present yourself, or as you wish to be, but who YOU, the person, are.

- Ben