2024 Playlist Project

Coping with an overwhelming catalog, impossible to flip through.

Mar 15, 2024

The Project

Growing up, the music I listened to involved the local country music station and burned iTunes CDs from my older sister. Music listening has changed exponentially since then. We went from purchasing and borrowing physical music to downloading music onto devices to streaming from anywhere, anytime, with a simple username and passcode.

Although it is more accessible, we have run into another problem as a result, an overwhelming catalog, impossible to flip through.

This year I set out to diversify and grow my music taste and knowledge. To do that, I have developed a system. Not a perfect system by any means, but one that is efficient. Here is how it goes.

Anyone that pops up on my social media, kindly requesting a listen gets screenshoted and put into a photo album.

Towards the end of each month, I go through the album and add either the song they were promoting or the most interesting title/most streamed song by that artist. From there, I look through collaborations or playlists from that artist.

In addition to this, some artists I follow post recommendations from time to time. This can be projects they had a hand in, or simply a song that has meaning to them. There are many other ways I collect songs for the monthly playlists, but this is just to name a few.

Share Things I Want to Talk About, But No One Listens.

This project is ongoing; there isn’t a finish line. It is about growth and support, not falling into the same music patterns. With this in mind, I try to keep only new artists and music on the playlists. I intentionally keep songs from artists I already follow off of the playlists. It is ongoing; there isn’t a finish line.

Next comes the best part, the first listen through. Sometimes I will do a first listen, get 20 seconds into a song, and immediately remove it from the playlist. Other times, I will listen a few times and eventually decide the song should be removed.

By the end of the month, the songs on the playlist have been fully approved, achieving a spot on the final monthly playlist.

With all of this written, here are standouts from the first three months of 2024.

January:

Remember When - Wasia Project

Released: November 13th, 2023

Review: I have listened to Wasia Project quite a bit this year. All of their music has something to offer the listener. This song is no different. The vocals are haunting in the beginning, soft and quiet. The ending, however, juxtaposes the humble beginnings.

Throughout the song, they layer production and instrumentation. The last minute of the song adds the final layer: the stringed instruments. The strings come in with the tempo, accompanied by stronger vocals, driving the final point of the song.

February:

Teenage FBI - Harrison Boe

Released: January 1st, 2024

Review: This song from start to finish has you cheesing and belting, while simultaneously tearing up. How can a three-minute, upbeat song, beat you up so badly? Well, this one achieves it.

During my first listen to February’s playlist, this was an immediate standout. The whole idea of the song is something that many young people relate to, including me. My favorite part of this song is the abrupt stop in the chorus. This, coupled with the solid strums of the guitar is so addicting.

Share Things I Want to Talk About, But No One Listens.

March:

Als Ich Ein Kind War - AnnemMayKantereit

Released: March 3rd, 2023

Review: Of the first three months, this is my favorite song. From start to finish, this song takes you on a musical journey. Although this song is in a language I don’t speak (German), I have found a translation. The title in English is “When I Was a Child”. The song goes on to speak about the influx of technology use by kids.

When I was a child, there was no internet
There was no screen next to the bed

The artist adds and subtracts different instruments and vocal styles throughout the 4½-minute song. Throughout the song, there is one constant, the percussion. This paired with the deep vocals keeps you guessing the entire time.

Music and Healing

By using this system, I have found such interesting artists, doing unique things within their individual genres. Most of the time artists aren’t only making something for their listeners, they are healing something within themselves. With humans being humans, oftentimes each of us goes through similar things.

Sharing music soothes the soul, and makes us feel less alone. If a musician can go through the same problem and find a way to heal, so can you.

I will continue this segment later in the year as the monthly playlists are polished. This project is going well so far. I have listened to a ton of new artists this year, but there is still a long way to go. That being said, if you have any music recommendations, drop them in the comments! Until next time…

Things I Want to Talk About, But No One Listens.