The Art of the Hyper-Specific Playlist: Turning Random Moments Into Fun, Memory-Packed Soundtracks

Reggaeton

“This playlist is all my fav reggaeton” - Alanis M

What is this playlist for?

This playlist is what I grew up on family parties, cookouts, all of it. It’s my mix of old-school Latin favorites and the current artists I love it nice that I can have them all in one.

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you? Paint it.

It takes me back to summers in NYC before I moved to PA. My tío and tía would come over, cousins from both sides showed up, and we’d have a big cookout. I’d invite school friends, my tío would pop the fire hydrant for the kids on our block, and we’d play in the water until the sun went down then eat carne asada, corn, and tacos. These songs bring me back to that with big speaker is blasting reggaeton.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

My family keeps me connected to my heritage, and I’m really close with all my cousins. My church community was a huge part of my childhood too.

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

This playlist honestly triggers pride about being Latina, feeling confident, and a little nostalgic. It makes me feel connected to my community.

Imagine this playlist as a person or a living thing. What do they look like and what are they like?

I would imagine it as a hibiscus flower

Throwback Class of 2019

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

I turn to this playlist when I need to feel grounded. When I’m overwhelmed, I try to remember past experiences to find stability. The songs feel nostalgic, and by the end, they bring me back into the present clear-headed but still tender.

What is this playlist for? What situation do you usually listen to this in?

The playlist is old and full of songs I listened to in high school. A memory that stands out is going Christmas shopping with my friends, sleeping over, waking up early, and playing this playlist while driving to breakfast at a diner. Now I play it to remember that time.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

My high school friends. I always think back to spirit week, the annual Color Day competitions, getting ready in the music room before winter concerts, and in the locker room before tennis matches.

Imagine this playlist as a person. What do they look like and what are they like?

This playlist is a younger version of myself—> Class of 2019.

i don't feel like trying

“when pretty isn’t pretty enough” - Nailea K

What situation do you usually listen in?

I listen after a long day, especially on the train during my commute. Late at night, around 1:12 a.m., my mascara is smudged, the Word document is still open, and my iced coffee is sweating on the table. Before a party, I sit at my vanity and let one full song hit before I switch to another. Most of the time, I listen while lying in bed.

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you?

It takes me back to my freshman dorm early fall, cinderblock walls wrapped in fake vines. The window’s cracked and the city smells like wet pavement. It’s 6 a.m., my roommate’s asleep, and I’m curled up in the beanbag with chipped lilac polish and one dead earbud hanging. I drifted off here two hours ago because I didn’t feel well enough to lie flat in bed. Rain hits the glass. Class is in two hours, and I know I won’t make it.

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

I let the critical voice in my head try harder, be smaller, be confident, and at the same time allow myself the space to not feel okay.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

An ex runs through this playlist. Tame Impala’s “Expectation” always snaps me back to freshman year the long-distance breakup after being together since middle school.

Imagine this playlist as a person. What do they look like and what are they like?

This playlist would be my cat curled beside me in bed during the breakup present through every moment.

bothered

"a man who wronged me is balding" - Maddie M

What is this playlist for?

This is to process a messy past relationship filled with cheating and gaslighting. I try to let myself be mad on purpose so I can move on.

What emotion does this trigger?

At the time, I was trying to manage the deep loneliness I felt in that moment, isolated from my friends and hobbies.

Now, looking back, I feel sorry for that version of myself.

When do you listen to it?

Walking off the ick: Headphones on and walking aimlessly in the city.

Gym body cleanse: Running on the treadmill, lifting weights, intense workouts to get the adrenaline out.

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you?

Back to my old apartment living room I shared with my boyfriend at the time, the one I decorated all by myself and bought all the furniture for with my own money. Sitting on the couch on a Friday night inside by myself. Most Fridays in that relationship looked like that. I'd shower, put on this playlist, and time would disappear until I dozed off.

Imagine this playlist as a girl who's suffering from chronic "boyfriend air," and how it affects her appearance and mind.

Boyfriend air - supposedly becoming less physically attractive or less happy with her appearance after spending time with a boyfriend.

WINTER WONDERLAND

“I dream about Christmas in the middle of June.” – Gianna V

What is this playlist for?

This playlist is for the holidays. It’s the one I go to as soon as the Christmas season starts.

When do you listen to this playlist?

Literally all November and December. One moment that stands out is putting up Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving, and it’s something I’ll listen to while Black Friday shopping for all my Christmas gifts.

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you? Paint it.

It takes me back to doing The Nutcracker every year at my ballet school in Philadelphia as a kid. That tradition was such a big part of my childhood, and the music always brings me back to that stage and that magical feeling.

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

Excitement. It makes me think back on the year I had and look forward to the next one.

Imagine this playlist as a person or a living thing. What would it look like?

It reminds me of a ballerina, since doing The Nutcracker was such a big part of Christmas for me growing up and still is.

big dreams

“This playlist is for setting clear intentions and centering myself”- Addriana V

What situation do you usually listen in?

I listen to this playlist when I’m walking home, especially when the weather starts getting warmer again. I also listen to it during my closing shift at my part-time retail job. On weekend mornings, I use it as a reset to get myself looking forward to the day so I don’t just lie in bed the whole time.

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

This playlist is gratitude and abundance. I usually put it on when I want to feel grounded in the present and thankful for the people around me.

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you?

It points me forward to graduation, a summer trip with friends, sharing an apartment, holidays with cousins nearby, and a career that fits: becoming a pediatric nurse.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

My dad. He’s a single parent, and keeping him close matters to me. When I listen to this playlist, I slip into abundance and gratitude, and it reminds me of him. He’s the steady voice of affirmation and reassurance in my life.

All of my friends are in this playlist too. They are the stabilizing forces I need.

Imagine this playlist as a person. What do they look like and what are they like?

A cocoon: a warm blanket of loved ones around me always reassuring, always supporting.

Kpop

“This playlist is for my K-pop obsession.” - Lisa H

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

It brings me back to the concert every time. I had post-concert withdrawals, and this playlist was how I coped.

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you?

It takes me back to BLACKPINK’s “Born Pink World Tour,” especially the August 26, 2023 show at Dodger Stadium. I spent the summer in California with my cousin, saved up for good seats, and the opening pyro during “Pink Venom” was unforgettable.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

My idols—>BLACKPINK.

Imagine this playlist as a person or a living thing. What do they look like and what are they like?

A: A firefly field, because it reminds me of the flashing crowd lights during the concert.

now that we don’t talk

“i feel like a lot of my all the relationships

and friendships have changed.” - Yomary K

What situation do you usually listen in?

Inbox Archaeology: Late at night to fall asleep to or background noise to cook to.

Laundry Fold Therapy: Sunday evening, while doing chores or laundry

This playlist is a time machine. Where does it take you?

Sophomore spring, we’re lying on her lawn on a blanket at golden hour. She’s been my best friend since fourth grade. This playlist takes me back there a lot she’s the longest, most stable friendship I’ve had.

Who’s silently inside this playlist, and what track carries their story?

I made this playlist while thinking about how my relationships changed. Things feel different with my parents, and my high school friendships have thinned. It makes me miss the old versions of us, but it also reminds me we’re all changing and sometimes that means drifting. Mostly, it stirs a steady yearning.

Imagine this playlist as a person. What do they look like and what are they like?

Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Summer 25

“This playlist is a mix with my siblings and cousins we made it on for a road trip to California in the Summer” - Esmarelda M

What emotion does this playlist trigger?

This playlist triggers serotonin.

What is this playlist for? What situation do you usually listen to this in?

This playlist really has everything we wanted. We made it to keep everyone engaged and not have people sitting with their headphones in the whole time, so it’s just meant to keep the trip fun and not boring.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

All my siblings and cousins. “I think I got lucky having friends built into my family.”

My aunt: After the trip, we got to California and stayed at my cousin’s house. I used to spend every summer there as a kid when I lived in California, and being there again with my siblings and cousins brought back a really fun time.

Who is silently inside this playlist? What track carries their story?

This playlist makes me feel like I’m in a desert during summertime in California, camping out with my siblings. Sitting in fold-up chairs, with the air smelling like sunscreen.

Imagine this playlist as a person or living thing. What do they look like and what are they like?

I imagine this playlist as a palm tree