What Really Makes a Good Playlist?

[YoshL]

So I've had to create a playlist for myself for when I'm going to work. My commute is about 45-55 minutes depending on traffic, and this setlist is 47~ minutes long at the moment. If I arrive at work early, i'll sit and listen to the rest of my setlist.

Basically, I really need music to stay focused on my driving for some reason. I can't drive in silence, unless there's a massive downpour, and the sound of rain fills my ears. Also, it's really dangerous for me because in the absence of constant aural stimulation in the car, I start to fall asleep. That's not good when driving. All of this has really caused me to think of what actually goes into building the perfect playlist for something like this. In all, I just went through my library, found the songs that I liked, placed those, and then thought about where I would be at that point in the drive, and what kind of song I would need/would want to listen to. From all of that, this playlist was born.

======Local Intro (I'm on local roads around now)=========

01- Stinger - The Flashbulb

For the opening of the playlist, I didn't want a song that would put me to sleep, but at the same time, I also wanted a song that really could perk my brain. For this reason, I decided to go with some sort of IIDM. My second criteria for the first song, and really every single other song in this playlist, I needed a song that I could listen to literally every single day, and not get tired of. In the end, it came to a decision between...well, mostly flashbulb songs. passage d, stinger, and ripoff were the main contenders in the end. Passage D however was just a bit...too smooth and sleep inducing. It's a phenominal Flashbulb song but it just didn't feel like the right choice. Also, it gets a bit boring after a while. Ripoff was also a bit mellow, until like, the last moments of the song, where it becomes fairly abrasive, which was a bit too much for me. So, being the only one left, and one that works really well, was Stinger. Very satisfied with this intro song, although there's always room for change.

02- Zombie Sunset - Dev/Null

The second song of the set, after a little warm-up from some IIDM needed to be the real wake-up call. Like, if the first track was your alarm gently rousing you from sleep before hitting snooze, this needed to be the parent screaming in your ear, in a loving warm manner....kinda. Anyways, what better to do this than with some sandpaper Dev/Null? Zombie Sunset has this musical depth beyond the shitfest of percussion that really captivates my attention, and somehow (at least for me) manages to draw my attention away from that spam of sounds. Perfect second song for getting fully functioning.

03- Captain Murasa's Ketsu (Ass) Anchor

IOSYS. Enuff said. Well, actually....
This was originally going to be the full version of Captain Murasa, but I couldn't find a good quality version of it, so I'm just sticking with the cut version. Anyone know of a HQ download, please tell me, I'd really appreciate it. Anyways, this was my third pick, intended for screeching out lyrics that I don't even understand. Something about shoving anchors up...yeah. It's interesting, trying to have to process "words", with no actual meaning behind them. It's one thing to be belting out Friday, because it's not like you comprehend your words as gibberish. Belting out Japanese feels so different, and really puts some cognitive strain on a non-native speaker's mind, especially something like this. Plus, this happens to be my favorite IOSYS song, so that works out well. *duck screaming noise*

04- Evans - DJ Yoshitaka

Here's my first weak pick i think. While it is intended to be a bit of a cool down from the yelling and singing and such, it's a bit too much of a cooldown. While I do enjoy the song, I don't like it as much as I used to. There really aren't enough "moments" in the song to keep me interested. There's the couple breaks (like the breath) at the end, but that's about it. Of course, I take that breath when it comes cause it's a really cool moment. I'm just looking to maybe take out this song and put in a better one at some point.

========Highway Section (On the highway, don't feel bad about blasting bass)========

05- Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Matsuri (OVA OP)

Listened to this first from osu! not the anime. Instant love. And then full version. wow. just, wow. So i have the full version of the OP in my setlist at 5, because it's just such a good OP. Just, the ending is a tad bit lacking. I feel like the final chorus could have been milked to be even more intense. It's still a really good song though.

06- Plasmatextor - virt -

Originally I had this song in the 8th spot in the playlist but I really wanted a chiptune at this point. It was just...an innate want for chiptune, so I put Plasmatextor in here. I seriously just love the feel of this song, how it's really smooth and yet there's a sense of urgency in the beginning that I can't ever shake off. I just, really enjoy chiptunes for their complexity through simplicity. I seriously can't even believe that this thing was made through Famitracker. The fact that each of the sounds, whether it be the bass or melody or backing chord stuff all have their own melodic line that's so interwoven that it sounds like one piece is a wonder to me. Also, belting out the solos are not optional for me. It's why I can no longer play this file for score, because I'll just distract myself x3

07- Clash - Caravan Palace

I want to thank Carlos for bringing Caravan Palace to my life. First, Star Scat, then Bambous. Then out of nowhere, I hear Clash. Found full version. YES>>>>>>>>>>>>ELECTRO SWINGGGGGGGGGGGG. It's times like this where I really appreciate the fact that I've usually been on the highway at this point and can enjoy the mad bass synth line that I'm in love with.

08- Hyadain no Joujou Yuujou

The reason why I have so many songs where I can sing really loud is because I really can't do it any other time. At home it's embarrass. At work...no. So I'll just take advantage of being alone in between and blast animé music while belting it out as well. While it's a really good song, and has it's amazing moments (take note, this is the FULL OP, not the cut version. Go listen to the full if you haven't), but it suffers from the same symptoms as #5 on my list, where the ending isn't as epic as I want it. Might think of replacing this.

09- Game Time - Zomboy

I needed at least one song where the bass would just overwhelm me. It's just a unique feeling to be vibrating from really low sounds. Clash doesn't satisfy this enough, so I brought in Game Time, because it's not only a dubstep song, but there's actually like, cool musical ideas in the song, rather than just being like IMMA WUB AND THEN DO THIS WUB EXACTLY THE SAME AGAIN THEN DO IT AGAIN and repetitive crap on me. Game Time is, a tad repetitive, but not enough to make me bored.

10- New Lights - kors k

I really can't say much about this. There's moments that captivate me. The song is so incredibly dynamic. Favorite kors k track. He delivered hard with this.

11- Hyadain no Kakakata☆Kataomoi-C - Hyadain

In this setlist of Anime openings, this one wins for being happiest and most upbeat and wow. Like, the normal OP (short) is phenomenal. The full version? absolutely. freaking. GENIUS. Like, wow. The first time I listened to it, I kept being so insanely surprised by the stuff that kept happening. Things were kept fresh, even though they were repeated parts. The ending ACTUALLY DELIVERS WOW THANK YOU YES. Usually at this point, I'm at the end of the highway, which is great.

=======Local End (sound down again, trying to be considerate lol)=======

12- SINister Evolution - TAK

Same vein as Evans. The bass is overwhelming, but I kinda want to replace this with a calmer song, seeing as I'm usually getting to the end of my trip by this point. I appreciate the bass, but it's the same section repeated twice. meh, this isn't a strong pick, but oh well.

13- Soko ni Aru Mono - Tokine

In this setlist of Anime openings, this one just wins. Like, wow. Coming from a fanimation for the touhou fandom, just wow. Like, this isn't even like a friggin band or a group. It's just an independent person who was like yo this OP hell yeah I'm even going to sing it and sound amazing holy shit. Like, the melody is so warm and yet it flows all over the place without spilling out of its banks and becoming erratic. It sounds so unlike most other anime OPs, being so flowy and warm, and guh i just love it so much. Again, it's not an option to not sing this. It's just too good, and it's so great for when I'm almost at work, and want to feel happy and ready for the day.

14- Staring at My Spaceship - virt

Chiptune and orchestrated background. Virt, and backing orchestra. as;ldfkja;sldk if this isn't the most jizztastic conglomeration of sounds I don't know what is. This song gets me friggin ready for work, or wherever I'm going, no questions asked. The uplift and energy is so strong with this one, and yet it ends on a very calm note, still full of energy. I seriously can't think of a better closer than this.
====================

All in all, this is a really solid playlist. However, I'll be open to (actual) suggestions to add/replace to this playlist. I kind of want maybe 1/2 more songs in here to buffer for traffic (I had 10 minutes to spare today b/c of traffic), and probably replacements wherever those are needed.

I love this playlist, simply because it's inundated with my all time favorite music, and it really serves to energize and ready me for work.

In the end, I'm wondering if anyone has really put much thought into creating a playlist, and for what purposes. Maybe even if certain songs serve better purposes for certain situations, or whether songs have better synergy with each other. For example, I don't think a death metal song, as good as it is, belongs in this play list.

(also, looking for recommendations and such, always open to expanding my musical love)

[Ohaider]

Music that's there but music you don't need to think about and doesn't create a distraction
Also, caravan palace is the bomb

[Crazyjayde]

Originally Posted by Ohaider

Music that's there but music you don't need to think about and doesn't create a distraction

Colour Haze

[Pseudo Enigma]

Originally Posted by Ohaider

Music that's there but music you don't need to think about and doesn't create a distraction

This works. But if it's like that, Yosh will just fall asleep.

I don't build playlists though, I just put entire folders of music on shuffle and stuff. EG. VGM folder, Remix folder, Trance folder. Whatever.

[xVaLoRx]

just put this on repeat and you'll be fine

[Choofers]

great idea: listen to a short album/EP on your drive to work

this could be an old favorite of yours, something you just started listening to, or a completely new album altogther

[Jonlovesddr]

i stopped using playlists when i discovered the wonder of full albums

[Choofers]

yeah basically

[mi40]

i actually listen to only one and have ever listened to ONLY ONE song while driving

that is 808 state's pacific 808 (grooverider mix)

listen and you'll understand

[YoshL]

Originally Posted by Ohaider

Music that's there but music you don't need to think about and doesn't create a distraction
Also, caravan palace is the bomb

caravan palace concert in DC today, right where i live. Can't believe i'm missing it. live instruments and swing dancing? guh

Originally Posted by Pseudo Enigma

This works. But if it's like that, Yosh will just fall asleep.

I don't build playlists though, I just put entire folders of music on shuffle and stuff. EG. VGM folder, Remix folder, Trance folder. Whatever.

I used to do this, for a while i just decided to have the ODI 3, but it just got really annoying scrolling through each of the songs as I drove.

Originally Posted by xVaLoRx

just put this on repeat and you'll be fine

not a fan ;<

Originally Posted by Choofers

great idea: listen to a short album/EP on your drive to work

this could be an old favorite of yours, something you just started listening to, or a completely new album altogther

Same issue as ODI 3, i'll just get bored really fast. Like, the new Blitz Lunar album was phenom, just not good for me driving. I almost fell asleep listening to it i remember. Wasn't fun

Originally Posted by mi40

i actually listen to only one and have ever listened to ONLY ONE song while driving

that is 808 state's pacific 808 (grooverider mix)

listen and you'll understand

first minute, i'd be so asleep lol. This is like, a bit too smooth and soothing for me i think

[iironiic]

I like to listen to piano music when I do Chinese deliveries haha. Not sure about your preferences on piano haha.

[YoshL]

that's actually something that i kinda forgot about. Piano pieces, when they're legitimately good, might work out. I'm not talking something like, revolutionary etude or moonlight mov. 3 or soemthing, but maybe some game related thing. idk

[korny]

Deep house lounge

[Ohaider]

Originally Posted by korny

Deep house lounge

This always helps me with homework

[WSCB]

Have you tried any D&B albums? Maybe Universus by ShockOne (pretty fun listen) or What I've Always Waited For by Nu:Logic (quite a bit of variety with many beautiful tunes)? D&B is music I like to listen during the nighttime and it always keeps me awake. A good playlist is based on personal preferences so just take your favorite (or interesting) songs and place them in any grouping you want.

[top]

dnb is cool for a little while. it's my favorite type of music, however after too long it starts to seem repetitive and gets a little too crazy, if you catch my drift

[yo man im awesome]

Resistance 4, do it

[WSCB]

Originally Posted by top

dnb is cool for a little while. it's my favorite type of music, however after too long it starts to seem repetitive and gets a little too crazy, if you catch my drift

I understand. It's a great thing D&B is a diverse genre.

[YoshL]

yeah, i've tried D&B, and it really doesn't work out for me

[Wayward Vagabond]

I make playlist and i try to make everything fit and transition smoothly. though i typically make them for parties and special drives. regular daily drives i just rotate entire albums on my phone either weekly or every other week.