By Daniel Imwalle
jazz, pop, and Christian. The “Road Trip: Folk” playlist, for example, features songs from some personal favorites of mine, such as Fleet Foxes and Iron & Wine, but many of the artists featured were new discoveries for me. If you have little ones or small grandchildren, there are plenty of kid-friendly playlists and even lullabies to help bring the energy level down at bedtime. A playlist titled “Disney Sleep” transforms popular tunes from the Disney universe into sleep-inducing musical renditions. Finally, Apple Music offers its own spin on curated lists with both in-house and usergenerated selections. One of many enjoyable mixes available on Apple Music is “Cooking Music,” put together by the curators at PMB Music. The description of the playlist reads: “Food is better when music is involved. Mellow tunes, with a cozy and heartwarming ambience—because a silent kitchen isn’t one worth cooking in.” Most of the music included is jazzy bossa nova, acoustic, or reggae-infused, but all of it works well as part of the ambience of sizzling skillets, bubbling pots, and enticing aromas. For those looking for music to inspire prayer time and reflection, the playlist “Relaxing Religious Chants and Gregorian Hymns,” compiled by Deutsche Grammophon, features over two hours of tranquil choral music from various religious orders and church choirs.
ICONS
music
books
podcast tv & streaming
film
video
e-learning & online
LEFT TOP, MIDDLE, AND RIGHT: NETFLIX; RIGHT TOP AND BOTTOM: HBO MAX
s much as I love discovering a new artist or listening to an album start to finish, sometimes it’s nice to take a break and let someone else’s music picks take me on a sonic journey. Much like mixtapes back in the day, streaming playlists serve as a way to find new artists or rediscover old favorites, and they can fit just about any occasion. Some services curate playlists based on the type of activity you’re engaged in, from exercise to meditation to taking a road trip. Take Spotify’s “Soundtrack Your Home,” for example (open.spotify.com/genre/ at-home-playlists). With many people housebound these days, it’s important to try to maximize the potential of a space that alternately serves as an office, gym, classroom, and home. “Coffee Table Jazz” and “Stress Relief ” are two playlists in this group that do well as background for work or study, while “Workout Beats” is a great playlist for burning off COVID calories. Some of the other options are more educational and include podcasts, such as “Family-Friendly Fun” and “Stay in the Know,” which features more news-related content. Hop over to Amazon Music, and there is yet more to get immersed in. For those taking long car rides to vacation destinations, Amazon’s music experts have curated a number of road trip playlists that cover a wide range of genres, including country, folk,
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Playlists for Work, Play, and Relaxation
