WARREN SLOUGH | Culture
MAKING A POINT
Alex Devlin, 27 from Wellington, took to social media today to proudly share his Spotify Wrapped results, which showcased a meticulously curated lineup of artists no one else seems to know.
For the kiwis inclined to share their playlists, artists like L.A.B, Six60 and Taylor Swift were commonly included. However Devlin made a show of posting his own “wrapped” results to shine a spotlight on all the weird and wonderful bands he listens to, just to make the point of how different he is.
“My top artist this year was Velvet Echoes, this ambient dream-folk duo from Iceland. They only perform on fjords during the winter solstice—it’s super exclusive,” Devlin explained to our reporters from his Aro Valley flat.
Devlin’s second-most-listened-to artist, Petricor Flux, also raised eyebrows. “Oh, they’re this experimental post-jazz collective based out of a converted grain silo in rural Vermont. They release all their music on cassette tapes. It’s a vibe.
“It’s so authentic compared to, like, Six60’s factory-produced anthems.”
Asked about the widespread love for Six60, Devlin had more to say. “I don’t mean to sound harsh, but their lyrics are just… surface level.”
Despite his disdain for mainstream tastes, Devlin insisted he wasn’t judging others.
“It’s fine if people enjoy Six60,” he said, pausing to adjust his vintage scarf. “Not everyone needs to be deeply connected to their music. Some people just want… noise. And that’s okay for them,” he said in disgust after our reporters revealed Six60 were the most streamed local artist in 2024.
More to come.
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