I think I’m doing much the same thing as you - Spotify playlists of single songs so I can easily get back to the album. Like right now I have a 2025 Music playlist with about 100 tracks on it - the 100 or so albums I’ve listened to this year. Then I’ll have a 2025 Definites and 2025 Contenders playlist for albums that I know are gonna be on the AOTY list or in the discussion.
I did used to keep a matching spreadsheet of that main album list for each year and would categorize each one for AOTY purposes. But it’s easier for me because all of the music I’m listening to each week, whether discovered on Spotify or elsewhere, goes into the Spotify playlist (unless it’s a Bandcamp only album in which case it’s in my wishlist there). The spreadsheet was really good for helping me to ensure I give red album sufficient listens. If it’s not categorized as “out”, “definite”, “likely”, etc then it means I need to go back and spend more time with it.
Lastly, I have a 2025 Singles Waiting for Albums playlist so when I hear new tracks that I really enjoy then I have a place to store them to remind me to go look for the album when it comes out. I cull tracks off that playlist once the album comes out. That playlist ends up being the source of my favorite singles of the year.
To many people I talk to it sounds like a lot, but for now it works for me.
yes, i think i failed to mention that those "best of" lists get curated down by the end of the year. i had that "song overflow" for a while which was like a temporary weighstation for songs BEFORE i sorted them into playlists but i even got rid of that because it just added more work for me in the end. i'd rather throw everything into the pile and winnow it down later. the end of year rush is unavoidable regardless.
My problem is that I was heavily into Music League for a couple of years, which means I have dozens of Spotify playlists created by Music League and specific to the topic and round. And then there are my personal playlists of songs I was considering posting for each round. They go on and on, and I’m afraid to delete them because there are often great discoveries hiding in them.
you mean you're worried about deleting them if you switch from Spotify? you can always transfer them over somewhere else. or you're saying they continue to grow?
I mean they continue to grow, and there are so many lists, and they’re not in any kind of order. I have my own discovery playlists and older songs playlists, but when I go to find them I have to sort through dozens of playlists called “Guatemala,” “June 2022,” “Rock Time Machine,” etc… I guess my point is I’m even less organized than you are. 🙂
That was a good read! Sadly my vinyl is similarly unorganized and some of the spines are completely unreadable which makes it hard to find specific things sometimes. With all the music you listen to, do you ever feel like you don't get to know it well enough?
I think I’m doing much the same thing as you - Spotify playlists of single songs so I can easily get back to the album. Like right now I have a 2025 Music playlist with about 100 tracks on it - the 100 or so albums I’ve listened to this year. Then I’ll have a 2025 Definites and 2025 Contenders playlist for albums that I know are gonna be on the AOTY list or in the discussion.
I did used to keep a matching spreadsheet of that main album list for each year and would categorize each one for AOTY purposes. But it’s easier for me because all of the music I’m listening to each week, whether discovered on Spotify or elsewhere, goes into the Spotify playlist (unless it’s a Bandcamp only album in which case it’s in my wishlist there). The spreadsheet was really good for helping me to ensure I give red album sufficient listens. If it’s not categorized as “out”, “definite”, “likely”, etc then it means I need to go back and spend more time with it.
Lastly, I have a 2025 Singles Waiting for Albums playlist so when I hear new tracks that I really enjoy then I have a place to store them to remind me to go look for the album when it comes out. I cull tracks off that playlist once the album comes out. That playlist ends up being the source of my favorite singles of the year.
To many people I talk to it sounds like a lot, but for now it works for me.
yes, i think i failed to mention that those "best of" lists get curated down by the end of the year. i had that "song overflow" for a while which was like a temporary weighstation for songs BEFORE i sorted them into playlists but i even got rid of that because it just added more work for me in the end. i'd rather throw everything into the pile and winnow it down later. the end of year rush is unavoidable regardless.
My problem is that I was heavily into Music League for a couple of years, which means I have dozens of Spotify playlists created by Music League and specific to the topic and round. And then there are my personal playlists of songs I was considering posting for each round. They go on and on, and I’m afraid to delete them because there are often great discoveries hiding in them.
you mean you're worried about deleting them if you switch from Spotify? you can always transfer them over somewhere else. or you're saying they continue to grow?
I mean they continue to grow, and there are so many lists, and they’re not in any kind of order. I have my own discovery playlists and older songs playlists, but when I go to find them I have to sort through dozens of playlists called “Guatemala,” “June 2022,” “Rock Time Machine,” etc… I guess my point is I’m even less organized than you are. 🙂
ha ha I like the really personal methods of organization like that though
That was a good read! Sadly my vinyl is similarly unorganized and some of the spines are completely unreadable which makes it hard to find specific things sometimes. With all the music you listen to, do you ever feel like you don't get to know it well enough?