The Art of the Playlist
Throughout my life, I haven’t won many awards. I was a child of the ‘80s — a time before children were gratuitously given ribbons and trophies for simply showing up. I was also a child who dabbled in everything, never firmly landing in one area. I tried softball, choir, tap dancing, ballet, drama, photography — none of which felt like something I wanted to devote myself to (hence, no trophies).
Fast forward thirty years, and there’s one trophy that sits proudly on my desk. Its plaque reads, “Moodboard Master,” recognizing my skill for creating detailed vision boards. And even though it was just a silly gift from an art director, it means a lot to me. Creating a mood, a vibe, a feeling — is what I do best. But it’s an elusive, ineffable kind of talent. It feels a bit mystical, like saying I can read minds.
One of my favorite ways to capture a specific mood is with a playlist. An evocative playlist is a form of storytelling, and similar to writing a good story, you have to be delicate; you don’t want to give everything away. The first sentence should set the tone immediately in a compelling story, and the first song of a playlist should do the same. That’s one of the downsides of streaming playlists; listeners don’t often play the songs in order, resulting in a completely different experience than its curator planned. Would you read a novel out of order? No. So don’t do that with playlists. Treat them like mixtapes.
When I was a teenager, we didn’t have cell phones or the internet. My friends and I had to find creative ways to express our feelings. We wrote each other handwritten notes, letters and poems, but my favorite medium was the mixtape. I could convey more through music than words, and it felt more honest. With a highly-curated arrangement of songs, I could express what I struggled to say or fully understand. The goal was to connect with my listener through lyrics, tempo, and mood. It’s like what the character, Rob Gordon, in the movie High Fidelity (2000) says, “A playlist is a delicate art...you get to say what you want to say without actually saying it."
I purposely title many of my playlists as “mixtapes” because I want to give the listener a clue that this should be played like a cassette tape. A cassette mixtape requires active participation. The listener has to touch and engage with it. And when they flip from side A to side B, it’s an intermission. They’re entering the second act of the story. Even without the tangibility of a real tape, I curate my playlists with this experience in mind.
Here are my tips for creating a “mixtape” playlist:
Order Matters! Don’t just throw together a bunch of trendy songs or songs that sound the same. Sure, those general-pleaser playlists may be fun for parties, but a mixtape playlist is personal, even if anyone can listen to it! In your playlist’s description, state that it should be listened to from start to finish: NO SHUFFLING.
Mix It Up. You don’t want your mixtape playlist to be too literal and samey. Give yourself a general idea of what you’re trying to convey and then search for music that fits that mood (but for different reasons). In a well-told story, the sentences and flow don’t always sound the same; they’re varied and create tension. Try to arrange something that feels cohesive but also abstract. This sounds complicated, but it’s not rocket science. Keep experimenting until you find something that feels right to you.
Be Authentic. Even though you’re using other people’s art, a playlist is an extension of your style and sensibilities. If you’re unsure about your style, do some research. Don’t rely on “Top Hits” or one of Spotify’s curated lists. Take the time to discover new music and explore artists that you’ve never heard of. One of the benefits of sites like Spotify and Soundcloud is that it’s easier than ever to find cool music. I spend a lot of time exploring, and I save songs I like into their own section. That way, I can easily access them when I’m creating playlists.
Don’t strive to make a playlist that’s for everyone. It’s impossible. You want your uniquely curated selection of songs to speak to a mood, occasion, or possibly, a specific person. If you keep that in mind, not only will it turn out better, but your connection to it will be stronger.
If you think about it, this isn’t a bad way to approach most things in life. Maybe my mood-making skills will get me somewhere!
Since we’re talking about “mixtape” playlists, here’s a new one for you. It’s called “Mystery Mixtape” for its enigmatic theme. You’ll have to listen closely to come up with your own interpretation.
You can follow all of my playlists on Spotify.
