The Hard Work Behind Great Playlists

How easy it is to turn on the radio or play a start playlist, such instant pleasure. There is a simple beauty in tuning in and not having to select what you want to listen to, all the while knowing you’ll be pleasantly surprised by some of the upcoming selections. But how do playlists get to this sublime point? It’s no secret that there’s a lot of hard work and deep knowledge of music behind any seemingly effortlessly great playlist. So how does music find its best placement on radio or on DSPs? Are music selectors connecting to the audience with new tools or is this an art that remains unchanged since the very very first great playlists? Are there new listening formats we should be aware of? And how do the more scientifically constructed playlists created by algorithmic or AI compare to human selection? And which choice is more beneficial for acts looking to break through media clutter and get themselves some much-deserved attention?