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Playlists used to be fun. Convenient. A vibe. But somewhere between skipping 7 songs in 2 minutes and realizing I didn’t even like half of my own “favourites,” I snapped. Playlists, I love you, but you’re annoying.
So I’m doing a 30-day challenge: Albums over playlists. Start to finish. Like a person with attention span and emotional range. (At least in theory.)
Albums over Playlists – Why I’m Doing This to Myself
First of all: I miss music. Not background noise. Not that one track I overplayed to death. Actual music, with flow, buildup, weird interludes, and track 9 that ends in existential dread but makes sense in context.
Second: I’ve somehow forgotten how to listen properly. The moment a song doesn’t hit immediately, I’m already 12 seconds into something else and honestly, that’s on me. I want to slow down and stop treating music like an elevator playlist I’m curating mid-breakdown.
Also, I need to broaden my musical horizon. There are entire albums, artists, genres I’ve completely ignored because they didn’t show up in my algorithm. Maybe it’s time to change that. Maybe I’ll hate jazz fusion. Or maybe I’ll be reborn. Let’s find out.
The Rules (Loosely Enforced by Me)
- No playlists. Not mine, not yours, not Spotify’s “Sad But Productive” mix.
- Full albums only. No skipping songs, even the weird outro one.
- Any format allowed. CD, digital, vinyl, cassette, whatever..
- Unknown albums encouraged. At least a view of what I listen to should be new to me.
- One post every 7–10 days to document the chaos.
Optional bonus rule: Don’t judge myself if I hate a classic. (Sorry in advance, The Beatles.)
What I Hope Will Happen
I hope I rediscover music as something immersive—something I actually experience, not just tune out while replying to emails or avoiding my to-do list. I want to really pay attention to lyrics again, instead of zoning out until “the good part” drops. Maybe I’ll find new favourite albums I didn’t know I needed. And let’s be real, I want to prove to myself that I can finish something without pressing “skip” like it’s a reflex. Also, let’s just admit it: there’s something delightfully punk about refusing to let Spotify dictate my emotional state for the day.
What Might Actually Happen
Of course, this could all backfire beautifully. I might have a full-blown existential crisis around album four when I realise I’ve forgotten how to sit still. There’s a solid chance I’ll accidentally play Slipknot during breakfast and wonder why my coffee tastes like rage. I might cry to a folk album I didn’t see coming and feel personally attacked by a banjo. And I’ll probably discover I’ve been misusing my ears and my patience for at least a decade.
Let’s Do This
So yeah. Day 1 is done. Album one was… interesting. (Spoiler: review coming in the Week 1 roundup.) I have no plan, no real genre strategy, and a healthy amount of self-doubt but I do have snacks, time, and a slightly stubborn sense of curiosity.
If you want to join me, start today. Pick any album. Sit with it. Let it annoy you. Let it surprise you. Just promise me one thing: don’t shuffle.
Your Turn – Recommend Me Something!
Got an album I have to hear? Something underrated, overrated, weird, wild, or wonderfully emotional? Drop it in the comments! I’d seriously love your recommendations, old favourites, hidden gems, total chaos… I’m open to all of it (except maybe flute-only prog rock. No promises there).
