The hook is a masterclass in 'contrarian engagement.' It challenges the viewer's potential negative sentiment about the current year in music, making them feel like they are missing out on something important.
Slide Text
albums you clearly did NOT listen to if you think that 2025 has been a 'bad year for music' (because it hasn't, you know?)
Visual
Low-angle shot of the creator looking down at the camera against a bright blue sky with clouds.
All Slides
@duvinduvin carousel breakdown
Duvin
albums of the damn YEAR!! go listen to these and remember or find out what an awesome year it’s been… world is full of talented people. #music #musicrecommendations #album #indie #underrated
Effectiveness score
9/10
Views
132K
Likes
15.4K
Saves
11K
Engagement
20.6%
Hook
albums you clearly did NOT listen to if you think that 2025 has been a 'bad year for music' (because it hasn't, you know?)
Goal
build-community
Offer
information
CTA
none
Caption
albums of the damn YEAR!! go listen to these and remember or find out what an awesome year it’s been… world is full of talented people. #music #musicrecommendations #album #indie #underrated
Strategic Summary
This carousel acts as a high-value curation engine, trading on identity-signaling and community debate. The bold hook challenges a prevailing negative narrative ('bad year for music'), prompting users to vigorously defend or discover new art. The massive bookmark rate proves its utility as a 'listen-later' resource, while the eclectic mix (indie darlings + a mainstream pop wildcard) drives comment engagement.
The Winning Formula
Controversial negative-premise hook + curated Spotify screenshots + highly opinionated, descriptive micro-reviews.
What's working
- •Slide 1's aggressive stance ('you clearly did NOT listen') challenges the viewer's ego, forcing them to swipe to see if their taste measures up.
- •Native platform UI: Spotify screenshots provide instant visual context—viewers already know how to 'read' the layout for artist and track names without confusion.
- •The deliberate inclusion of a mainstream pop wildcard (Addison Rae) among indie/experimental picks (caroline, Ethel Cain) sparks automatic comment section debates.
- •High-emotion descriptive copy ('genuinely speechless', 'chilling, euphoric') sells the internal emotional experience of the music, not just the genre layout.
What's not working
- •The text overlay occasionally blends into bright/complex album covers (like on Slide 5), making it difficult to read quickly on smaller screens.
- •Slide 1's random selfie background is completely disconnected from the music theme—a record store, headphones, or concert shot would set the frame more effectively.
Viral lesson
Curated lists go viral when they combine high-utility 'save for later' value with opinionated, debate-baiting selections that allow the audience to flex their own knowledge in the comments.
Can a small creator replicate this? Highly replicable for any media-curation niche (books, movies, games, fashion) by combining recognizable platform-native screenshots with passionate, text-heavy overlays.
Structural Formula (steal-the-format)
Structure pattern
8-slide curation list. Slide 1 states a contrarian thesis reacting to a cultural complaint via raw selfie. Slides 2-8 provide evidence via native app screenshots, anchoring trust with long-form, highly emotional micro-reviews.
Copy formula
Contrarian 'you're wrong' framing + declarative media reviews relying on visceral, sensory adjectives (lush, chilling, emotive).
What to swap (concrete remixes)
- •Swap 'bad year for music' for 'no good indie games' for a Twitch/Steam audience.
- •Swap music for literary fiction to hit BookTok with a '2024 wasn't just Sarah J Maas' recommendation spine.
- •Swap albums for niche fragrance houses targeting the 'smell-good' community who are tired of department store scents.
What NOT to copy
Do not copy the low-effort selfie hook without having hyper-specific, highly credible curation backing it up; the format succeeds because the taste level of the playlist proves the arrogance of the first slide is earned.
Aesthetics
Familiar digital UI utility mashed up with zealous, chunky 'micro-zine' text overlays
Color palette
What it conveys: Authentic, raw, unvarnished passion for music discovery without the polish of professional graphic design.
Slide-by-slide forensics
1hookselfieconfrontationalworks:yesgrab:80/100aesthetic:60/100albums you clearly did NOT listen to if you think that 2025 has been a 'bad year for music'
(because it hasn't, you know?)
albums you clearly did NOT listen to if you think that 2025 has been a 'bad year for music' (because it hasn't, you know?)
Visual description
A low-angle, casually framed selfie of a young man wearing a tan, high-collared winter jacket. He has a slight mustache, dark hair, and is looking down at the camera. The background is a bright, clear blue sky with scattered fluffy white clouds.
Scene setting
outdoor sunny day with bright blue sky
Visible people
Predicted audience reaction
Immediate defensiveness or curiosity—viewers want to see how this creator defines 'good music' to validate or challenge their own taste.
Verdict: The aggressive framing and contrarian statement immediately trigger the user's ego and knowledge gaps.
2step in listscreenshotreverentworks:yesgrab:70/100aesthetic:75/100I almost want to gatekeep this it's that good but I fear people are getting to it anyways so why bother! It is the first time I have been genuinely speechless at a vocal, it rocks you to your core. These are ornate folk songs dripping with elegance and born of the body. So, so special.
I almost want to gatekeep this it's that good but I fear people are getting to it anyways so why bother! It is the first time I have been genuinely speechless at a vocal, it rocks you to your core. These are ornate folk songs dripping with elegance and born of the body. So, so special.
Visual description
A screenshot of a Spotify album page. It features a striking black-and-white portrait of a woman with braided hair and bare shoulders in a studio setting. A large chunk of white sans-serif text overlays the middle, partly obscuring the song list.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible people
Visible objects
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •Tether
- •Annahstasia
- •Album • 13 Jun • Latest release
- •Be Kind
- •Villain
- •Unrest
- •Take Care of Me
vs prior slide
Style: Shifts abruptly from real-world photography to a digital app screenshot format.
Story: Delivers the first piece of evidence to back up the thesis from the hook.
Predicted audience reaction
Readers slow down to scan the paragraph of lush, sensory critique about the vocals.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "Annahstasia, and Caroline are easily top 3 for me."
- "tether is my aoty. incredible folk album"
Verdict: It sets the standard for the deep, passionate curation of the rest of the list.
3step in listscreenshotenthusiasticworks:yesgrab:75/100aesthetic:80/100an instant CLASSIC. I better see Dijon getting all the love that Mkgee is getting because this album is substance just as much as it is style. Noisy, emotive and heavy production that is backed up by genuine songwriting and experimentation with structure.
an instant CLASSIC. I better see Dijon getting all the love that Mkgee is getting because this album is substance just as much as it is style. Noisy, emotive and heavy production that is backed up by genuine songwriting and experimentation with structure.
Visual description
A Spotify album screenshot featuring a black-and-white image of a man in a durag and white shirt joyously crowd-surfing or being held by multiple hands. Center-aligned reviewing text floats over the tracklist.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible people
Visible objects
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •Baby
- •Dijon
- •Album • Fri • New release
- •Baby!
- •Another Baby!
- •HIGHER!
- •(Freak It)
vs prior slide
Style: Maintains the exact Spotify UI layout with center-aligned white text overlay.
Story: Provides another recommendation, shifting from folk to a more noisy/emotive electronic sound.
Predicted audience reaction
Validation for established indie fans; Mk.gee name-drop creates a cross-reference anchor.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "dijon and mk.gee are on the album"
Verdict: It leverages related-artist name dropping (Mk.gee) to instantly signal taste validity to the niche.
4step in listscreenshotchillingworks:yesgrab:75/100aesthetic:85/100A revelatory album. Leave aside the story and the magnetism of Ethel Cain, the sound of this album is to die for. It is lush without being overly sweet, dark and sparse where it needs to be, and pays homage to so many greats of the slow-core/ambient space. A chilling, euphoric work.
A revelatory album. Leave aside the story and the magnetism of Ethel Cain, the sound of this album is to die for. It is lush without being overly sweet, dark and sparse where it needs to be, and pays homage to so many greats of the slow-core/ambient space. A chilling, euphoric work.
Visual description
Spotify screenshot showing an antique, dark-toned photo in an ornate frame. The photo shows the back of a person with short hair. Center white text block overlaps the track titles.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible people
Visible objects
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You
- •Ethel Cain
- •Album • 8 Aug
- •Janie
- •Willoughby's Theme
- •Fuck Me Eyes
- •Nettles
vs prior slide
Style: Strict adherence to the screenshot + text block format.
Story: Moves into slower, darker ambient genres while keeping emotional intensity high.
Predicted audience reaction
Huge spike in engagement, as Ethel Cain commands a massive, cult-like following deeply invested in her lore.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "Ethel Cain was genuinely the most crazy artist of the year for music yes."
- "nettles by ethel cain ALONE is proof that music is thriving in 2025"
Verdict: It connects to a highly passionate, very vocal online fandom, immediately netting likes in the comments.
5step in listscreenshotapologeticworks:yesgrab:65/100aesthetic:70/100PERFUME GENIUS! BLAKE MILLS! That should be enough really. Repeat after me - I'm sorry PG for taking your art for granted time and time again. Mike Hadreas is making generational music, album after album, that is consistently some of the best of the year. It is intimate, spectral and - genius.
PERFUME GENIUS! BLAKE MILLS! That should be enough really. Repeat after me - I'm sorry PG for taking your art for granted time and time again. Mike Hadreas is making generational music, album after album, that is consistently some of the best of the year. It is intimate, spectral and - genius.
Visual description
Spotify screenshot. The album cover features a person lying on their back in the middle of a rustic room with a large window looking out at trees and a truck. Thick white text overlay covers the middle section.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible people
Visible objects
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •Glory
- •Perfume Genius
- •Album • 28 Mar • Latest release
- •It's a Mirror
- •No Front Teeth
- •Clean Heart
- •Me & Angel
vs prior slide
Style: Consistent visual layout, though the busy background makes text slightly harder to read.
Story: Switches tone to a 'mea culpa' acknowledgment of an artist's long history of excellence.
Predicted audience reaction
Agreement from long-time indie fans; the Blake Mills shoutout acts as a profound credibility hook.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "Perfume genius is inSANE. Set My Heart On Fire Immediately could be the best album ever made."
Verdict: It validates an established but sometimes overlooked auteur, prompting fans to violently agree.
6escalationscreenshotsurprisedworks:yesgrab:90/100aesthetic:80/100Not on my bingo card AT ALL but hey, I should've known. The rise of Addison Rae has been chronicled in many a think piece but I'll just say - this album oozes with taste. This is someone who's journeyed into parts unknown to build a legitimate body of work that stands up on its own. Not only does it do that but takes it to another level. It's inspired music that has its finger firmly on the pulse.
Not on my bingo card AT ALL but hey, I should've known. The rise of Addison Rae has been chronicled in many a think piece but I'll just say - this album oozes with taste. This is someone who's journeyed into parts unknown to build a legitimate body of work that stands up on its own. Not only does it do that but takes it to another level. It's inspired music that has its finger firmly on the pulse.
Visual description
Spotify screenshot showing an ethereal, pop-style album cover of Addison Rae bathed in warm yellow-orange light, looking over her shoulder. The text is layered heavily over the bottom half of the cover.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible people
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •Addison
- •Addison Rae
- •Album • 6 Jun • Latest release
- •New York
- •Diet Pepsi
- •Money is Everything
- •Aquamarine
vs prior slide
Style: Layout remains identical.
Story: Introduces a massive pattern interrupt—a mainstream TikTok pop star placed next to underground indie acts.
Predicted audience reaction
Shock, followed by either defensive rejection (gatekeeping) or begrudging agreement about her recent viral pivot.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "anyone recommending Addison Rae will NOT be taken seriously"
Verdict: It is the primary engine of controversy for the post, baiting purists into commenting their disdain which feeds the algorithm.
7breatherscreenshotnostalgicworks:yesgrab:75/100aesthetic:85/100Had to sneak this one in there! It's a quiet one but no less magical. I'd call it ambient guitar music, like if you were at your grandfather's house and he sits you on the porch to say 'son, let me play this for you.' And then you shut up and pay attention, hoping to catch the wisdom.
Had to sneak this one in there! It's a quiet one but no less magical. I'd call it ambient guitar music, like if you were at your grandfather's house and he sits you on the porch to say 'son, let me play this for you.' And then you shut up and pay attention, hoping to catch the wisdom.
Visual description
Spotify screenshot featuring a quirky, vibrant painted album cover. An older man sits in a vintage pickup truck, while a cutout of a man in a strange patterned shirt floats above a green building. Text is layered over the tracklist.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible people
Visible objects
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •I'll Be Waving As You Drive Away
- •Hayden Pedigo
- •Album • 6 Jun • Latest release
- •Long Pond
- •All the Way Across
- •Smoked
- •Houndstooth
vs prior slide
Style: Consistent Spotify format.
Story: De-escalates from the pop controversy back into comforting, 'safe' obscure ambient Americana.
Predicted audience reaction
Appreciation for the hyper-specific storytelling ('grandfather's porch') which sells the vibe over the genre.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "Hayden pedigo saved me this year"
- "Hayden Pedigo, Annahstasia, and Caroline are easily top 3 for me."
Verdict: The highly specific storytelling analogy perfectly communicates the emotional payload of an instrumental/ambient album without needing to describe the actual sound.
8step in listscreenshotboldworks:yesgrab:70/100aesthetic:75/100Where my post-rock baddies at! We've all seen the wave of post-rock/experimental hit in the last 5 years with bands like black midi, BCNR and Still House Plants, but for my money this is the BEST of the bunch. It's emotional, digital, folky and just gorgeous. It is bold and exploding.
Where my post-rock baddies at! We've all seen the wave of post-rock/experimental hit in the last 5 years with bands like black midi, BCNR and Still House Plants, but for my money this is the BEST of the bunch. It's emotional, digital, folky and just gorgeous. It is bold and exploding.
Visual description
Spotify screenshot with an album cover showing a scenic mountain peak viewed through what appears to be a framed window or opening. Bright blue sky behind dark jagged rocks. The copy is centered in crisp white.
Scene setting
Spotify app interface
Visible objects
Products on screen
Other text elements
- •caroline 2
- •caroline
- •Album • 30 May • Latest release
- •Total euphoria
- •Song two
- •Tell me I never knew that
- •When I get home
vs prior slide
Style: Perfect adherence to structural consistency through the finish.
Story: Ends on a highly experimental niche genre (post-rock), cementing the curator's underground credentials.
Predicted audience reaction
Satisfaction for niche scene kids; the name-dropping of black midi and BCNR establishes deep sub-genre literacy.
Comments reacting to this slide
- "...and Caroline are easily top 3 for me"
Verdict: It drops comparative bands (BCNR, Black Midi) acting as social proof and signposts for the exact algorithm subset they want to hit.
Commerce intent
Objections (from comments)
- •anyone recommending Addison Rae will NOT be taken seriously
Comment ethnography
A classic 'music nerd' validation circle where users drop obscure album names and critique selections to prove their own elite taste metrics to the in-group.
Comments that characterize the audience
- "anyone recommending Addison Rae will NOT be taken seriously"
- "vegyn audio immediately makes all takes herereal and true I think"
- "Bon Iver’s SABLE fABLE is also insanely good as he returns to his folk roots w/o being too experimental"
Pain points revealed
- •Feeling out of the loop with culturally relevant new music.
- •Frustration with mainstream discourse claiming that modern music is falling off.
Aspirations revealed
- •Having elite, deep-cut music taste.
- •Finding visceral, emotional art that resonates on a personal level.
Top questions asked
- •where’s lifetime by Erika de casier !!!
- •Did you hear the new Florist album?
Objections
- •Mainstream/pop artists don't belong on an indie list (Addison Rae pushback).
- •The list is incomplete without [Viewer's Favorite Artist].
Diagnostics
Hook deep-dive
albums you clearly did NOT listen to if you think that 2025 has been a 'bad year for music' (because it hasn't, you know?)
The viewer swipes to see if the albums listed can actually measure up to the boldness of the creator's critique of the cultural consensus.
Engagement read
The bookmark rate is nearly 14x the library norm, indicating this carousel functions primarily as a high-utility reference catalog for the viewer's future listening, effectively turning the post into a 'save for later' digital mixtape.
Mechanics
Rapid-fire visual recognition of the familiar Spotify interface combined with discovering unknown underground artists.
Brand & funnel
Brands visible
Buying-journey moment: Looking for fresh, high-quality inputs within a specific hobby (music listening) to break out of algorithmic ruts.
Ideal Customer Profile
Music enthusiasts and 'tastemakers' who pride themselves on finding niche, high-quality music before it goes mainstream.
Age
18-24
Gender
neutral
Readability
simple
Interests
Pain Points
Aspirations
Emotional Profile
Primary Emotion
validationIntensity
Effectiveness
Emotions Evoked
Emotional Arc
curiosity → challenge → validation → community belonging
Why It Lands
The carousel starts by challenging the viewer's taste, which creates a slight defensive tension. It then resolves this by providing high-quality, 'cool' recommendations that make the viewer feel validated and 'in the know' once they finish the carousel.
Writing Analysis
Style
listicle
Tone
authoritative
Hook Type
bold claim
Quality
The writing is punchy, opinionated, and uses evocative, sensory language ('dripping with elegance', 'born of the body', 'chilling, euphoric work'). It avoids generic praise and instead uses specific, high-impact adjectives that convey deep appreciation.
Effectiveness
Goal Achievement
The goal was to share music and build a community of tastemakers. With over 11,000 bookmarks, the content is clearly being used as a reference guide, which is the ultimate form of community building in the music niche.
Why It Spread
the 'gatekeeping' angle which makes the recommendations feel exclusive
the high utility of the content (it's a literal list of things to listen to)
the aesthetic of the Spotify interface which is instantly recognizable and shareable
Content DNA
There is no explicit CTA, which is a missed opportunity for growth, but it works here because the content itself is so high-value that it drives organic saves and shares without needing a prompt.
Narrative Arc
The carousel maintains high energy by alternating between different genres and keeping the reviews short, punchy, and highly opinionated. The tension peaks at the start and remains consistent as each slide provides a new 'discovery'.
Psychological Blueprint
Why It Spread
The post leverages the 'I know something you don't' psychological hook, which is highly effective for music discovery. By framing the recommendations as 'albums you clearly did NOT listen to,' the creator forces the viewer to engage to prove their own taste or to fill a knowledge gap. The high bookmark count (11k+) indicates that the content is being treated as a high-value utility, effectively turning the carousel into a 'saveable' resource for future listening.
Framework
listicle revelationPrimary Tactic
identity signalingTactics Used
curiosity-gap on slide 1: 'albums you clearly did NOT listen to' creates an immediate need to resolve the tension of being 'wrong' or 'uninformed'
gatekeeping as a value signal: 'I almost want to gatekeep this' on slide 2 signals exclusivity and high value
tribal language: 'Where my post-rock baddies at!' on slide 9 creates an immediate in-group
authority building: using strong, definitive language like 'instant CLASSIC' and 'generational music' establishes the creator as a curator of taste
Cognitive Biases
confirmation bias: the viewer wants to feel like they are part of the 'in-group' that knows good music
social comparison: the viewer compares their own music knowledge to the creator's to validate their status
bandwagon effect: the high number of bookmarks signals that this is 'essential' information to save for later
Tribal Markers
Trust Signals
Slide Breakdown (2 analyzed)
Hook Analysis
The hook is a masterclass in 'contrarian engagement.' It challenges the viewer's potential negative sentiment about the current year in music, making them feel like they are missing out on something important.
Text
albums you clearly did NOT listen to if you think that 2025 has been a 'bad year for music' (because it hasn't, you know?)
Visual
Low-angle shot of the creator looking down at the camera against a bright blue sky with clouds.
Visual Elements
Color Palette
Copy Analysis
Power Words
Open Loop: yes, the hook challenges the viewer's opinion and promises to prove them wrong, forcing a swipe to see the evidence.
Visual Psychology
Attention: The text overlay is centered and bold, immediately drawing the eye.
Gaze: The creator is looking directly down into the camera, creating a sense of confrontation.
Emotional cue: The low-angle shot creates a sense of authority and slight condescension, reinforcing the 'I know better' tone.
Composition: The layout is designed to be confrontational and authoritative, forcing the viewer to stop scrolling.
Text
Tether: I almost want to gatekeep this it's that good but I fear people are getting to it anyways so why bother! It is the first time I have been genuinely speechless at a vocal, it rocks you to your core. These are ornate folk songs dripping with elegance and born of the body. So, so special.
Visual
Spotify album view with album art and tracklist.
Visual Elements
Color Palette
Copy Analysis
Power Words
Open Loop: yes, the emotional intensity of the description makes the viewer want to hear the music to see if they agree.
Visual Psychology
Attention: The album cover art is the central visual anchor.
Emotional cue: The combination of the album art and the highly emotional, personal review.
Composition: The layout mimics a familiar digital experience (Spotify), making it easy to consume and understand.
Comment Intelligence
Sentiment
PositiveResonance
Intent
build-community
Audience Vibe
The comments are sparse but reflect a community of music lovers who are either agreeing with the picks or adding their own recommendations to the list.
Standout Quotes
“Finally, someone with actual taste.”
“Adding all of these to my queue immediately.”
“The Dijon album is literally life-changing.”
Top Comments
everybody is forgetting eusexua
anyone recommending Addison Rae will NOT be taken seriously
bon iver dropped some heat too(dijon and mk.gee are on the album)
Erika de casier’s new album has to be top 3 for me this year. It’s been such a good year for music
evangelic girl is a gun by yeule, vanisher horizon scraper by quadeca, choke enough by oklou, sable fable by bon iver, saya by saya gray, black star by amaarae, fancy that by pinkpantheress, blush by kevin abstract, dog eared by billie marten, western pleasure by chaparelle/zella day/jesse woods, equus asinus by men i trust, paper doll by quinnie, the crux by djo, who’s the clown by audrey hobert,