Why does pre-Spotify Wrapped week feel like a lifetime?

Is there a more torturous week on the internet than pre-Spotify Wrapped week? Spoiler alert: there isn’t. Between the memes, the endless countdown posts, and the collective frustration flooding social media and forums, Spotify Wrapped has become the cultural reset we didn’t know we needed — until it makes us wait. And wait. And wait some more.

Over the past five years, Spotify has consistently dropped Wrapped like clockwork between November 29 and December 5. Yet here we are, on December 3, still refreshing our Spotify apps like maniacs while trying to convince ourselves, “Patience is a virtue.” Spoiler again: it’s not. Especially not when reports are swirling that Apple Music Replay 2024 has started rolling out. My colleague tells me he’s yet to see Apple Music Replay 2024 on his iPhone, though.

While Apple Music is letting its users indulge in early Christmas vibes with their Replay summaries, Spotify fans are left clawing at their screens, muttering “just drop it already” under their breath. And honestly, the constant teasing isn’t helping. Spotify’s cryptic posts, including that now-deleted teaser on X and Instagram (you’re not slick, Spotify — we saw it), are doing nothing but fueling the chaos. At this point, it feels like Spotify is dangling a carrot in front of a starving rabbit.

Social media is a goldmine of relatable frustration. “Spotify is testing our patience,” one user grumbled. “This is the longest week I’ve ever lived through,” another lamented, capturing the entire internet’s mood. “People are acting like addicts for this,” someone chimed in on Reddit, probably while refreshing the app themselves. And then there’s the ultimate insult: the self-righteous suggestions to bypass Wrapped entirely. “Request your streaming history from Spotify and import it to stats.fm. Spotify is overrated” one Redditor smugly offered.

Thanks, but no thanks. Wrapped isn’t just stats; it’s a moment. It’s the perfectly-packaged serotonin boost we’ve earned after a year of existential crises, questionable playlists, and that one week where we accidentally fell into a lo-fi beats rabbit hole.

But let’s be honest — Spotify Wrapped’s power lies in its ability to create FOMO, even before it’s out. By dangling just enough anticipation, they’ve managed to turn us into a frenzied, meme-making mob. It’s genius marketing, but it’s also kind of evil. Like, could we at least get a release date? Please?

As I sit here, anxiously awaiting the big reveal, I can’t help but wonder if this year’s delay is because Spotify’s now accounting for the full year. A nice thought, but the realist in me just thinks they enjoy watching us squirm. Either way, Spotify, if you’re reading this: stop playing games and just drop Wrapped 2024. My current top song is probably “Patience” by Sato Thai, but I’m running out of it.

And for those Apple Music users basking in the Replay 2024 glow? Enjoy it while it lasts. Spotify Wrapped is coming, and when it does, we’ll reclaim our rightful spot as the main characters of the streaming world. Until then, we suffer — together.