Spotify's annual Wrapped data reveals that Australian music fans overwhelmingly prefer international pop and smut-themed audiobooks, with no local artists appearing in the top five favourite albums or songs. The global top artists for Australia were Taylor Swift, Drake, Morgan Wallen, the Weeknd and Billie Eilish, while local favourites included the Wiggles, the Kid Laroi, AC/DC, Hilltop Hoods and Tame Impala.
Australia's top global songs were Ordinary by Alex Warren, That's so True by Gracie Abrams, Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish, Back to Friends by sombr and APT. by Rosé & Bruno Mars. Homegrown hits included Vance Joy's Riptide, Crowded House's Don't Dream It's Over, Sonny Fodera's Somedays, the Kid Laroi's Nights Like This and the Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition.
Spotify's algorithm has been criticised for disadvantaging local artists. Former Spotify chief economist Will Page found that between 2021 and 2024, the number of Australian artists streamed in Australia declined by 20%, while revenue from Australian music increased 25% but the share going to local artists shrank by 30%.
This year, Spotify introduced a 'listening age' feature, which surprised some users like Icelandic singer Laufey (calculated as 85) and Grimes (nonagenarian). In podcasts, The Joe Rogan Experience topped the global chart, while Casefile True Crime led locally. Audiobooks were dominated by dragon and fairy smut, with Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros at number one.
Globally, Bad Bunny was the top artist for the fourth time, and Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars' Die With A Smile was the top song with over 1.7 billion streams. Morgan Harrington of The Australia Institute noted that streaming has eroded the national audience that once allowed unique Australian artists to thrive.
