I stopped creating music playlists
In a time when everyone says AI has the potential to surpass humans, I choose human-made radio stations.
Simple Radio and the radio station NRJ, from France.
I have officially stopped creating song playlists on music platforms. I had a playlist to go for a run, another one for work, a couple divided by genres and artists I like, and then that one I sometimes play in the background while cooking… It started feeling like a task, and I was not enjoying it. In a world where algorithms decide what’s next in the queue and despite the rise of many digital platforms that promise to be simpler and better than the next one, I chose the radio.
In this article, we delve into the renaissance of radio, exploring why tuning in to traditional broadcasts and non-traditional web stations can offer a unique and fulfilling music discovery experience.
The Streaming Culture vs the Charm of Radio
Originally, the intent was to allow the user to use something already available, music in this case, and organize it as one wishes with an uninterrupted experience. On-demand content has become the norm, often at the expense of live or curated experiences.
Unlike pre-programmed playlists, radio stations offer a dynamic mix of genres, artists, and eras, curated by passionate DJs who bring their flair and personality to the airwaves. Even if the station does not have talk shows, listening to their voice saying the time, the name of the song, or just the name of the radio station, brings you together
Radio holds a special place in the hearts of music lovers for its ability to surprise and delight. It’s also about nostalgia and connecting with a medium that’s been around for ages.
A Sense of Community
One of the most compelling aspects of radio is its power to foster a sense of community among listeners. Tuning into a favorite station or program becomes more than just a solitary activity, it’s a shared experience that connects us across geographic boundaries and timezones.
For ex-pats or digital nomads, it’s the best way to stay in touch with their community anywhere they go. With platforms like Streema or its mobile version Simple Radio, tuning to the radio becomes the easiest way to listen to AM, FM, and web stations worldwide.
Radio encourages interaction and engagement, creating a virtual gathering place for music enthusiasts to come together and celebrate their shared passion.
Embracing Spontaneity and Variety
A playlist caters to our music to our existing tastes and stays like that, even if our liking changes. Radio challenges us to step outside our comfort zones and explore new sounds and styles. Whether it’s stumbling upon a hidden gem while browsing Simple Radio or discovering an unexpected cover of a favorite song, radio encourages us to embrace the thrill of the unknown in our music discovery journey.
Three Human-made radio stations
Radio Tatras International, from the Heart of Europe to the World. This station identifies as a Happy Radio 24/7, all their shows are human-made, with no AI or algorithms involved in their content creation.
NYE Underground, a radio station dedicated to Art Bell enthusiasts, brings you all the classics from the high desert, along with some of Art’s favorite bumper music.
Calm Pills is an ad-free, multi-artist ambient radio station, seamlessly mixed to help with relaxation, meditation, reading, or deep sleep. Mostly consisting of instrumental ambient sounds, natural soundscapes, and soft piano music, these mixes will help you completely relax your mind and body.
For many, radio evokes a sense of nostalgia, harkening back to simpler times when the crackle of static and the twirl of a dial were all it took to transport us to another world.
Let’s take this chance to escape the echo chamber of algorithmic recommendations and rediscover the magic of the airwaves. So the next time you find yourself scrolling through your digital library, why not take a break and tune in to the radio? You might just be surprised by what you hear.
