Although the way that people listen to music has changed significantly in recent years, with the rise of streaming and on-demand services, the impact of album sequencing on the overall listening experience has not diminished.
Album sequencing refers to the order in which the tracks of a musical album are arranged. The purpose of album sequencing is to create a narrative or flow for the listener, guiding them through a journey from beginning to end. The order of the tracks can affect the listener’s experience and impact the overall impression of the album.
Great album sequencing can enhance the themes and emotions conveyed in the music, creating transitions that smoothly move the listener from one song to the next and taking the listener on a journey, building a sense of anticipation, excitement, or even catharsis over the course of the tracklisting.
Artists, producers, and record label executives often spend a significant amount of time and effort carefully considering the order of the tracks to ensure that the album has a cohesive and meaningful narrative. The intended track order may even be changed after the album has been recorded and finalized in response to feedback from collaborators, A&R team members, and test audiences, or to achieve a newly desired flow.
The impact of streaming on album sequencing
Streaming has changed how artists think about album sequencing because it has changed how people listen to music. In the past, when people listened to albums on CDs or vinyl records, they would typically listen to the music from start to finish, as the album was intended to be experienced. However, with the rise of music streaming, listeners have more control over the order in which they hear the tracks. They can skip around, repeat songs, or shuffle the tracks, disrupting the album’s intended flow and narrative.
In response to this shift, some artists have started to think more creatively about how to sequence their albums, knowing that the traditional model of beginning-to-end listening may no longer apply.
For example, some artists think about their albums as collections of individual songs that can stand on their own — and appeal to a wide variety of editorial playlists — rather than a continuous narrative. Others experiment with including interludes, skits, or other non-musical elements to break up the album into distinct sections — not a “new” practice, by any means — and create a new flow for the listener.
The importance of album sequencing may have changed in the streaming era, but it is still a critical aspect of the album-making process. It can greatly impact the listener’s experience and perception of the music and help to differentiate an artist’s work and make it more memorable and impactful.
Beginning on the right note
The first track of an album can be very important in total consumption. It can serve as a hook to draw listeners in and encourage them to keep listening, or conversely, if it fails to grab their attention, it can cause them to lose interest and stop listening altogether.
In many cases, the first track is considered the most important in setting the tone for the rest of the album and establishing the overall mood and aesthetic of the music. For this reason, many artists put a lot of thought and care into choosing the first track and ensuring it strongly represents their overall vision for the album.
The first track is also a significant opportunity for artists to make a statement and set the tone for the rest of the album, and as such, it should be chosen carefully and thoughtfully.
Mistakes to avoid during the sequencing process
When sequencing an album, there are several mistakes that artists should try to avoid making to create a cohesive and engaging experience for the listener:
- Lack of flow: One of the biggest mistakes is having tracks that don’t flow well together. The album should have a logical progression, moving from one song to the next in a way that makes sense and enhances the overall experience.
- Overusing interludes: Interludes can be effective in breaking up an album and creating a new flow, but they can also be distracting if used too often or incorrectly. Interludes should serve a specific purpose and add to the overall listening experience rather than just taking up space or disrupting the flow.
- Ending on a weak note: The last track of an album often leaves the strongest impression on the listener — assuming they make it that far — so it’s crucial to choose a strong closer. A weak final track can detract from the overall experience and leave the listener feeling unsatisfied.
- Ignoring dynamics: Albums should have a balance of different types of songs and moods, with a variety of fast and slow, loud and quiet tracks. Too much of the same type of song can quickly become monotonous and boring for the listener.
- Ignoring pacing: The overall pacing of the album is also important. Too many slow songs in a row can be draining, while too many fast songs can be overwhelming. A well-sequenced album will have a natural ebb and flow to it.
- Neglecting to consider the album as a whole: The album should be viewed as a whole entity rather than just a collection of individual tracks. The sequencing should reflect this, creating a cohesive and meaningful experience for the listener.
By avoiding these mistakes, artists can create a well-sequenced album that engages the listener from start to finish and leaves a lasting impression — even in the streaming era.
