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The art of making playlists (and why you should do it)

I definitely can’t be the only person who has a deeply rooted emotional connection to my Spotify playlists.

CREDIT: weheartit.com

 

As someone with way too many specifically curated playlists to fit every mood, event, scenario, you name it, I’m listening to music with pretty much all my daily activities. As a matter of fact, I’ve got my “inner peace” playlist going as I’m writing this, for some calming inspo.


Playlists are a literal work of art and self-expression and here’s why.

Most people’s individual taste in music is like a little pathway into their mind in my eyes, and usually lets you understand a person way more deeply than most surface level conversations allow. Don’t get me wrong, a playlist is only as deep as the person who makes it is trying to be. There probably isn't as much thought and inherent meaning going into a playlist titled “gym” as one called “songs that make me feel like a kid again,” so maybe don’t get too caught up in trying to understand those.


On the other hand, carefully created playlists can be similar to writing poetry; it's a collection of song titles, lyrics, and sounds that attempt to recreate a feeling and convey something we conceptualize as relevant in our own lives. As individuals, we undoubtedly correlate different experiences to specific songs, but it's safe to say we all inherently interpret lyrics and songs in similar ways. Songs are like poetry in the way they are able to convey an emotion exactly in the way we want without having to make ourselves directly vulnerable to others. This is what makes analyzing music so interesting; the music we like speaks volumes about who we are without us actually having to speak.


How to make the most epic playlist roster ever.

Multifaceted people require multifaceted playlists. While throwing together a bunch of songs you like into a giant playlist is easy, it just doesn’t give that artistic effect and personal disposition I’ve been talking about. What I mean by “multifaceted playlists” is to not only organize by musical genre, but by literally anything your mind can think of. Playlists named after memories, movies, other songs, books or people are the gateway into finding new music and locking down on a distinct ardor you can relive by simply clicking on a playlist.


Think of a recurring feeling you often get, good or bad, then build a playlist around that feeling. Being sad, for example. Making a playlist to listen to when you’re sad typically makes you feel better, at least in my experience. You get to express your thoughts about negative emotions through carefully curated music, and you might be surprised how in touch with your emotions you’ll feel everytime you decide to play it. In doing this, I’ve oftentimes been able to turn negative feelings into expressive ones, while simultaneously appreciating the inevitable highs and lows of life through music.


Also, make sure you pick a cool cover photo from pinterest or your camera roll to really tie the vibes together. Ultimately, get creative with it, and don’t forget to stalk your friends/popular profiles for inspiration — like I do.


If you still need convincing, just know there is absolutely nothing better than having your own perfect soundtrack to go along with any mood, vibe, circumstance, event or memory in your life.


 

Athena Veghte is a Staff Writer at Rowdy Magazine. Some of her favorite things include thrifting, making super specific Spotify playlists, and iced chai tea lattes. She strongly dislikes people that go on their phones during movies. You can find her on instagram at @athenaveghte or contact her at athenaveghte20@gmail.com.

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