Is this playlist for me?
If you enjoy any of the following, this playlist may be worth checking out:
- Stirring, anthemic pop with soaring melodies and lush vocal harmonies
- Dynamic arrangements with strong contrast between song sections. These songs unfold and expand in ways that may arouse an “opening up” feeling within you.
- High-level songcraft: sculpted melodies, powerful choruses and poignant lyrics
If I were just going to listen to one song, which should I pick?
Try Joni by Jordyn Shellhart. I can’t listen to it without that strange ‘opening’ thing happening that I mentioned above. The transitions between verse and chorus in this song are stunning. Musically, it’s a big, bold, dramatic tune, and characterizes the distinct quality at the heart of this playlist.
What genres are represented in this playlist?
Pop, Indie pop, Country, Baroque pop, Singer-songwriter pop, Chamber pop
What should I listen for?
Notice the moment of “lift-off” in the song, when it feels as if something within you is starting to expand. I experience this in the center of my body, and it corresponds with the unfolding of the song. Some of these songs start slow but at some point in every one, the intensity gets cranked up a notch. The song opens up like a plant blooming. The sense of contrast and scope is something to savor for listeners who enjoy this in music.
If I like this playlist, what other ones should I check out?
Ascent overlaps considerably with Songcraft in that both focus on the craft of songwriting in modern pop. There is special attention given to lyrics, melody and arrangement in these playlists, and the songs have a level of artistry that elevates them above the everyday pop song.
Both Ascent and Nimble have a “rising up” quality, but the character of this movement in Ascent is more gradual and emotionally charged. The vertical quality in Nimble is more playful, fleet-footed and elegant.
Ascent and Mega are similar in their “bigness” although with Ascent, the songs tend to build up to this and rely on songwriting to achieve the effect, whereas in Mega, they are often vast from the get-go and rely as much (or more) on sound-design. You may also find that Ascent has more of an uplifting quality and Mega more of an imposing one. Ascent is like watching a plant unfold as it reaches toward the sky; Mega is like walking into a clearing and discovering a giant monolith.
Last Updated on January 18, 2025
