The year is 2022 and, as Kate Bush so eloquently put it, the "whole world's gone mad." So naturally, we're holding onto the joy and heart thunder of the Stranger Things-prompted "Running Up That Hill" renaissance for dear life — and Spotify has noticed.
If you've missed it, here's the gist: on Stranger Things 4, Volume 1, it's revealed that Max (Sadie Sink)'s favourite song is the Hounds of Love cut. Notably, listening to it on loop on her Walkman is also the only way for her to be pulled from a potentially deadly blackout state and saved from the wrath of Vecna, an evil creature that feeds on teens' shame and trauma.
Now that Bush's 1985 masterpiece has hit No. 1 on the charts, the folks over at Spotify realized that the rate at which the youths are now streaming the 37-year-old track had a lot of potential for personalization. As much as "Running Up That Hill" is for everyone, what songs would be best suited to saving you from Vecna?
It's the question on everyone's lips, and the streaming platform is giving you your answer: they've partnered with the hit Netflix series to make every listener a personalized Upside Down Playlist.
Updating daily, the automated mix combines your past and recent favourite songs that are inspiring, empowering and high-energy. You'll be further immersed in the Upside Down through additional tracks recommended by the Stranger Things team (read: songs by the likes of the Clash, Smashing Pumpkins and Dead or Alive, featured on the show's soundtrack). New songs from the series will be added after the Stranger Things 4, Volume 2 premiere on July 1.
The playlist also serves to reveal some sneaky Easter eggs about the next episodes. If you visit the playlist's homepage on your mobile device, wait 11 seconds and see what surprises await. Apparently, it will keep appearing for your first three visits, then transition to every 11th time. (See what they did there?) There's also a little something-something on the full-screen Now Playing view on Androids, as well as the progress bar when listening on your desktop.
In terms of the accuracy of what songs you think might actually possess the power to snap you out of a trance, I can attest that there are definitely some misses — but, hey, admittedly a few hits.
Go on, send that link to your emergency contact. You never know!
If you've missed it, here's the gist: on Stranger Things 4, Volume 1, it's revealed that Max (Sadie Sink)'s favourite song is the Hounds of Love cut. Notably, listening to it on loop on her Walkman is also the only way for her to be pulled from a potentially deadly blackout state and saved from the wrath of Vecna, an evil creature that feeds on teens' shame and trauma.
Now that Bush's 1985 masterpiece has hit No. 1 on the charts, the folks over at Spotify realized that the rate at which the youths are now streaming the 37-year-old track had a lot of potential for personalization. As much as "Running Up That Hill" is for everyone, what songs would be best suited to saving you from Vecna?
It's the question on everyone's lips, and the streaming platform is giving you your answer: they've partnered with the hit Netflix series to make every listener a personalized Upside Down Playlist.
Updating daily, the automated mix combines your past and recent favourite songs that are inspiring, empowering and high-energy. You'll be further immersed in the Upside Down through additional tracks recommended by the Stranger Things team (read: songs by the likes of the Clash, Smashing Pumpkins and Dead or Alive, featured on the show's soundtrack). New songs from the series will be added after the Stranger Things 4, Volume 2 premiere on July 1.
The playlist also serves to reveal some sneaky Easter eggs about the next episodes. If you visit the playlist's homepage on your mobile device, wait 11 seconds and see what surprises await. Apparently, it will keep appearing for your first three visits, then transition to every 11th time. (See what they did there?) There's also a little something-something on the full-screen Now Playing view on Androids, as well as the progress bar when listening on your desktop.
In terms of the accuracy of what songs you think might actually possess the power to snap you out of a trance, I can attest that there are definitely some misses — but, hey, admittedly a few hits.
Go on, send that link to your emergency contact. You never know!
