Opening my email this week proved to be worth it for the first time in months: Spotify created a top 2017 songs specifically for me, along with a new playlist based off those songs. This is gold.

As an avid music junkie, I am always looking for new music that quenches my music taste buds. Although, I can be fussy with my music, there has been great music coming out consistently throughout 2017.

Reading through my list of top 100 songs I listened to, I was not surprised by many. Artists like The xx, Sylvan Esso, Grimes and Drake were sprinkled throughout, along with other songs I have been obsessed with throughout the year that are not new, such as “Living Zoo” by Built to Spill, “(Joe Gets Kicked Out of School for Using) Drugs with Friends (But Says This Isn’t a Problem) by Car Seat Headrest and “Desperado” by Rihanna (I became obsessed with this song after hearing it on an episode of “Girls”).

What was really awesome was the algorithm that Spotify used to make my own personal data for what I listened to. I listened to 8,272 minutes, 829 different songs and 335 artists. I explored 30 new genres.

My top artists included:

1. The xx
2. Lorde
3. Wilco
4. Sylvan Esso
5. Waxahatchee

Top Songs included:

1. “Dangerous” by The xx
2. “Replica” by The xx
3. “Flesh without Blood” by Grimes
4. “A Violent Noise” by The xx
5. “Performance” by The xx

        Not only was this a cool data-controlled perk that Spotify did for its users, but it also provides a chance for listeners to expand to different musicians. After going through my top 100 songs, I went through the playlist Spotify made for me, “The One That Got Away” which gave different artists and genres of music I have never listened to.  Artists like Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent and SOPHIE, will be gaining more attention on my trip to LA this Christmas break, and maybe one of them will become my new favorite artist.