How to Build a Sunday Playlist With a Point

A playlist becomes editorial when the second song changes how the first one is heard. Tempo matters, but subject matters more: awe beside longing, declaration beside stillness, a large room followed by one close voice.

Start with an idea that can be stated without naming an artist. Then choose songs that approach it from different traditions. Agreement is useful; contrast is what makes the sequence memorable.

The last song should not summarize the list. It should leave the listener somewhere the first song could not reach alone.