Spotify’s Fresh Finds Rock Playlist: A Freshly Packaged Disaster

 

Spotify, what the hell happened? Your Fresh Finds Rock playlist should be a goldmine of groundbreaking, ass-kicking tracks, the ones that make us feel alive and remind us why rock is still breathing in a world of auto-tuned pop nightmares. Instead, what did we get? 126 songs. One hundred and twenty-fucking-six. That’s not a playlist, it’s a musical landfill. Feels like every intern, their cousin, and maybe even their third-grade teacher got to throw in a track or two for kicks.

Let’s be real for a minute—rock ain’t supposed to be this soft, this timid, or this damn boring. But Spotify seems to think otherwise. I’ve listened to the whole thing (for science, of course), and here’s the cold hard truth: most of this playlist sounds like someone found a pile of Smashing Pumpkins B-sides and tried to pass it off as the future of rock. Spoiler alert: it ain’t. What’s even worse? It’s not even rock and roll, not by any stretch. Where are the riffs that make you wanna throw a fist? Where’s the attitude? The rebellion? This is what happens when you let algorithms and corporate hacks pick the soundtrack for a genre built on not following the rules.

The Rare Gems in a Sea of Mediocrity

Now, before I totally rip this thing apart, I’ll give credit where it’s due. There are a handful of tracks that didn’t suck the soul right out of me. And trust me, finding them in this swamp of mediocrity was like panning for gold in a septic tank.

Here’s the short list of the artists who actually brought something to the table:

• Sweet Spine – In My Blood
  This track feels like it’s got some fight left in it. It’s gritty, it’s raw, and it doesn’t feel like it’s chasing some lame radio-friendly sound. Sweet Spine is keeping the blood pumping, unlike 95% of this list.

• Bloomer – sober/inertia
  Here’s a song with actual substance. It’s moody without being a total downer, and it doesn’t sound like it’s trying to be something it’s not. Bloomer gives us a vibe that sticks with you in a way that doesn’t feel forced.

• Combat – Full Speed Ahead
  Finally, some energy! Combat brings the kind of high-octane, no-nonsense rock we’ve been starving for. No half-assed, middle-of-the-road bullshit here. These guys know what they’re about, and it’s refreshing as hell.

• Carver Jones – Get Out of Bed
  Carver Jones nails that punkish, get-off-your-ass sound that’s been sorely missing from the rest of this bloated list. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to jump up and shake off whatever’s dragging you down.

• Child Of The Parish – For Your Love
  A bit on the experimental side, but in a way that works. It’s got layers and takes risks, which is more than I can say for 90% of what Spotify served up here.

• Fake Fruit – Mas O Menos
  This one’s got attitude—a little weird, a little chaotic, but that’s what makes it stand out. Fake Fruit is actually doing something different while staying in rock's rebellious spirit.

• Stateside – Thirty Mile Stretch
  A clean, driven sound with real edge. These guys clearly didn’t get the memo that they’re supposed to sound soft, and thank God for that. This one actually feels like a solid contribution to the genre.

• Shelf Lives – Where Did I Go?
  Catchy as hell, and it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard. Shelf Lives brings a modern rock sound that doesn’t reek of overproduction or trend-chasing. It’s honest, and that’s rare these days.

And the Rest? A Sad Excuse for Rock and Roll

The other 118 tracks? Most of them make me wanna crawl back to my old iPod just to escape this new-age nightmare. Rock is supposed to have balls, plain and simple. But most of this playlist sounds like it’s been stripped of any edge, any grit, and any fire. I don’t know if these bands are trying to impress their label or keep things safe for TikTok, but whatever the hell it is—it ain't rock. If this is what people think rock and roll is supposed to be, then we’re in deep trouble, my friends.

It's like they forgot what rock was meant for. It's music born out of rebellion, anger, passion, and pain—it's not supposed to lull you to sleep with some whiny, boring-ass ballads. This playlist is more like a therapy session for bored suburban teens than a showcase for the next generation of rock artists.

Spotify, Get Your Shit Together

Spotify, you’re supposed to be a MUSIC streaming company. You’re supposed to be the platform discovering the next big thing, not force-feeding us some beige, watered-down version of rock. If you need help, hire some people who actually give a shit about the genre. Maybe someone with actual ears for music. Because this? This C-minus effort ain't cutting it.

It’s like they threw a bunch of paint on a canvas and called it art, hoping we wouldn’t notice that none of it makes sense. Well, we noticed. And we’re not impressed. Your Fresh Finds Rock playlist is a reminder that, sometimes, too much of a mediocre thing is just that—too much.

Texas Blood Money’s Final Word

We’re Texas Blood Money Media, and we say what others won’t. This playlist? It’s a mess. It’s not rock, it’s not rebellion, and it sure as hell doesn’t represent what this genre should be about. We’re unique, we’re raw, and we sure as hell aren’t afraid to say it how it is. Rock music deserves better than this half-assed attempt at curation. So next time, maybe skip the whole "everyone gets a pick" thing and bring in some people who still believe in the power of rock and roll.

Until then, we’ll be sticking to the real standouts and waiting for someone to do the genre some justice.