Every year, 713 million Spotify listeners look forward to their “wrapped,” which shows users their top artists, songs, music genres, and much more. This shows users their digital identity reflection and acts as a cultural movement. It can make music lovers feel understood, connecting music to self-identity. This year, Spotify introduced a new feature called “clubs”. Spotify says that “Your club captures the emotional qualities of your year in music.” Each track you listen to is tagged with descriptors. These descriptors roll up into six possible clubs and categorize listeners into a specific one. These clubs are the Cloud State Society, Grit Collective, Club Serotonin, Full Charge Crew, Cosmic Stereo Club, and Soft Hearts Club. Your club can help you identify your music taste with your mood and feelings, but it can also uncover aspects of your personality and deeper parts of yourself.
If you think you’re in the clouds, just wait till you meet the Cloud State Society. They find peace through music and can be described as empathetic, imaginative, and chill. In this society, you use music as a tool to either soothe or energize, whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert. You are incredibly in tune with your emotions, and your music reflects that openness. Cloud State Society members bring a state of zen to every room they walk into. A club that also enjoys positive tunes, but on a higher level, is Club Serotonin. If bliss had a playlist, you’d see every member of this club streaming it on repeat. Club Serotonin “thrives on good vibes.” They are very social and feel energized and connected to others. Studies from Blue Cross Arizona show that “upbeat tunes correlate with increased energy and positive emotions.” It’s easy to say that these members are the happiest in the room and can bring light to other people’s lives.
A Club that’s polar opposite to those two clubs is Grit Collective; they use their music taste as a form of defiance. Through their music, they create a self-identity that resists authority and societal expectations. Introverts might be drawn to the non-conformity, and this hardcore music can be used to manage inner feelings. Extroverts tend to prefer this music to boost energy and rock out. They are deeply passionate, showing traits like perseverance, high motivation, and a willingness to delve into the difficult or niche. Another high-energy club is the Full Charge Crew. They are committed to the endless party and bring the hype to every group they are in. Their music taste reflects their constant excitement and extraversion. Members of this crew might use energetic music as a release for intense emotions.
Members of the Cosmic Stereo Club can be described as “out of this world.” These listeners are said to traverse terrestrial barriers with music, engaging in playlists that take you to another dimension. Listeners who are a part of this club enjoy pushing the boundaries of music genres. The psychedelic vibe of this music also reflects traits that their listeners might have, like being creative, down-to-earth, and thoughtful of others. A club similar to this one is the Soft Hearts Club. These members believe vulnerability is the key to great music. They prioritize emotional connections and kindness, and are easily moved by others’ feelings.
Ally Hammonds describes herself as “very outgoing,” but she also admits that she is “vulnerable with her emotions.” This shows how music taste can be the opposite of how people portray themselves.
Music can be used as a tool for all to process deep emotions and thoughts, express their personality and interests, or just to simply enhance the moment even more. Spotify Wrapped shows listeners how their music reflects themselves, and it can create an identity in their taste. Whether you have a mix of different genres and vibes, the new clubs express to all users the deep meanings behind our preferences. These Wrapped clubs prove that our playlists say as much about us as our personalities do. Whether you’re in the Grit Collective or Soft Hearts Club, your soundtrack reveals what makes you, you.
