Spotify's highly anticipated year-in-review feature, Spotify Wrapped, has left many users underwhelmed and disappointed this year. The feature, which typically provides users with a personalized summary of their listening habits, has been criticized for prioritizing an AI-powered podcast over other creative and engaging features that users have come to expect.

One of the main complaints is the lack of detailed stats and the exclusion of popular features, such as top music genres and top podcasts. Users have taken to social media platforms, including X, to express their disappointment and frustration, with many calling Wrapped 2024 a "flop" and an "underwhelming" experience. A top post on X, which has garnered over 108,000 likes, describes Wrapped as a "disappointment" and a "letdown."

Spotify's decision to partner with Google to turn users' Wrapped experiences into an AI-powered podcast has been met with mixed reviews. While some users are impressed by the technology, others have expressed unease and discomfort with the feature. Many users have also criticized the lack of "quirky interactive bits" and "silly personality assessments" that made previous Wrapped experiences so engaging.

Another point of contention is the exclusion of top podcasts from the Wrapped feature. According to Spotify, users must have at least two top shows in order for Top Podcasts to be included in their Wrapped experience. However, some users have reported that they did not receive this feature, leading to further frustration and disappointment.

The graphics and art design used for Wrapped 2024 have also received mixed reviews, with some users describing them as "mid" and "really simple." The lack of a direct link to the Wrapped 2024 playlist in the interactive experience has also caused confusion among users.

Some users have connected their disappointment with Wrapped to Spotify's earlier layoffs, speculating that the company's staffing cuts may have contributed to the downgrade of the feature. Spotify laid off 2,300 people in 2023, which CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged had impacted day-to-day operations more than expected.

Despite the backlash, Spotify has already begun working on next year's Wrapped feature, with teams from across the company contributing to the effort. However, the company has declined to comment on how it decided which features to include in Wrapped 2024, citing it as part of the "secret sauce" of the feature.

The controversy surrounding Wrapped 2024 raises questions about the role of AI in personalized features and the importance of user feedback in shaping the development of such features. As Spotify looks to improve and revamp Wrapped for next year, it will be crucial for the company to listen to user feedback and prioritize the features that matter most to its users.

In the meantime, users can only hope that Spotify will take their feedback to heart and deliver a more engaging and personalized Wrapped experience in the future.