As the year draws to a close, a digital tradition has once again taken over social media feeds and office conversations across Australia. Forget just Christmas lights and backyard cricket – the annual release of Spotify Wrapped has become the definitive viral holiday ritual for music lovers.
Perth's Top Streams: Swift Reigns Supreme
The data is in for 2025, and Perth's listening habits tell a clear story. Taylor Swift has claimed the crown as the city's top-streamed artist, thanks to her latest album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'. In a notable ranking, the Canadian superstar Drake secured second place in Perth, outperforming his rival Kendrick Lamar, who landed in fourth spot despite their widely publicised feud.
Rounding out Western Australia's top five most-streamed artists were The Weeknd and Billie Eilish, both maintaining massive popularity despite relatively quiet years in terms of new releases.
When it comes to tracks, Perth couldn't get enough of the global hit 'Ordinary' by Alex Warren. The song, which amassed a staggering 1.3 billion streams on Spotify globally, was Perth's number one. It was followed by the viral 'The Days (NOTION REMIX)' by Chrystal and 'That’s So True' by Gracie Abrams in third place.
In a nod to the power of film soundtracks, the album from the Netflix film 'KPop Demon Hunters' was Perth's most-streamed record of the year.
Politicians and Sports Stars Unwrap Their Year in Music
The Wrapped phenomenon offers a surprising glimpse into the personal playlists of WA's public figures. Premier Roger Cook revealed an eclectic mix, with The Beach Boys topping his list. However, his chart took a sharp turn into progressive house and trance, featuring Japanese DJ Shingo Nakamura. The 60-year-old Premier's 'listening age' was calculated at just 19 years old.
On the federal stage, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese showcased his love for Australian rock, with Northern Territory band King Stingray as his top artist. Even the PM couldn't escape Taylor Swift's reach, as she ranked second on his list.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister John Carey proudly displayed his pop credentials, with Lady Gaga as his top artist ahead of her Australian tour. With a lineup of upbeat pop stars dominating his Wrapped, Carey humorously remarked, "Yeah I’m gay."
Local sports personalities also shared their stats. Fremantle Docker Luke Jackson ranked in the top 0.02% of global listeners for drum and bass DJ Sub Focus. Perth Wildcats player Elijah Pepper leaned into melodic rap with Drake, while former Wildcat Luke Travers proved a superfan of Nigerian singer Burna Boy, landing in the top 0.0008% of listeners worldwide.
The Unstoppable Rise of a Digital Tradition
Spotify first launched the Wrapped marketing campaign in 2016, transforming user data into a colourful, shareable summary of the year's listening habits. It has since exploded into a global year-end tradition. In 2025, the platform introduced new features like 'listening ages,' which prompted both amusement and mild existential crises among users.
The campaign's reach continues to grow. This year, Spotify launched its first-ever TV commercial for Wrapped in the UK, featuring artists like Central Cee and PinkPantheress. The promotion even included a real-life installation in London's Southbank, where singer Jade appeared in a perspex box – a clever nod to her hit song 'Plastic Box'.
As the final social media posts of 2025's Wrapped fade from feeds, one thing is certain: this modern ritual of musical reflection is now firmly cemented in Australia's cultural calendar, offering a unique, data-driven snapshot of our collective – and deeply personal – soundtrack to the year.
