Apple Music playlist editors

Image Credits: Apple Music

Apple Music is targeting Gen Z users in its battle with Spotify. On Friday, Apple launched 10 new Apple Music playlists focused on the music interests of Gen Z users — including one playlist that features the latest tracks to go viral across social media apps like TikTok. Other playlists feature emerging artists and sounds, experimental or cross-genre selections or music by mood — like playlists for getting energized to go out or one to destress, for example.

One of the more interesting additions from this new group — at least from a technology perspective — is the new editorial playlist, “Viral Hits.” While Apple doesn’t specifically mention TikTok by name, the short-form video app’s influence is apparent.

TikTok’s music-laden memes and trends today heavily influence what younger users are listening to. The app has also long-since proven its ability to break new artists and send tracks, both new and old, to the top of the streaming charts across Spotify and Apple Music, as well as the Billboard charts, at times.

With the “Viral Hits” playlist, Apple will round-up the songs that are making the leap from social media channels to “the broader cultural stream,” the company explains.

“Social media hasn’t just changed how we communicate, but also what we listen to and how we hear it,” says Apple.

Image Credits: Apple Music, screenshot by TechCrunch

Because of the nature of viral trends, there’s no set schedule as to when the “Viral Hits” playlist will update. Instead, Apple Music editors will update the selections throughout the week, as needed.

Currently, there are 98 songs representing nearly five hours of music on the playlist, including many tracks that are also now on Apple Music’s top charts. But the tracks on “Viral Hits” aren’t ranked by number of plays they’re receiving — it’s an editorial selection, not a chart.

Apple isn’t alone in formally acknowledging the power TikTok has over popular music. Spotify last week launched a new feature for artists that would allow them to promote tracks that were going viral on TikTok.

Image Credits: Apple

In addition to “Viral Hits,” the other new Apple Music playlists aimed at a Gen Z demographic include the following additions:

• Superbloom: Apple describes this playlist as a “new home for young, risk-taking visionaries who think about music differently.” The selections will feature artists who often have developed grass-roots followings across social media, where they’ve experimented and sparked trends.
• Lifted: This cross-genre playlist is a melting pot of music Apple describes as “a little underground, but too dynamic for the mainstream to ignore.” Tracks will range from the poppy end of the spectrum to hip-hop, R&B, and indie rock, Apple says.
• Wildflower: This playlist will feature emerging voices across a mix of hip-hop, R&B, dance, indie pop and rock.
• Glow: An upbeat playlist of “feed-good, mood-boosting” tracks.
• The Nerve: This playlist features “downcast hybrids” of hip-hop, pop punk, emo and grunge that are “a little too raw for broader audiences.” Apple says the music can be “bleak.”
• The Sound: A playlist featuring the best in new rock.
• Verified Hits: Another cross-genre playlist, this one featuring hit songs from genres including pop, indie, arty R&B and electronic.
• Catching Feelings: Music for chilling that’s a little slow, moody, mellow and low-key.
• Do Not Disturb: Music on this playlist aims to help listeners not feel alone when dealing with mental health issues, like the ups, downs, crashes and the coping, says Apple.

Apple says the new playlists were created specifically with the needs of Gen Z users in mind, describing this young group as “tech savvy, social media mavens” as well as “rabid music lovers.”

In addition to the Gen Z playlists, Apple Music released 24 brand-new playlists aimed at helping users center and find a few moments of calm. These playlists follow what has been a tense week in the U.S., particularly, due to the 2020 presidential elections and their delayed results.

Are you looking for the best Apple Music playlists? I hope this helps you!

Full disclosure - I am an Android user. That being said, because of the essence of what we do here at Sterefox, I subscribe and use both Spotify and Apple Music when it comes to music discovery, and yes Apple Music is available for Android.

When I first installed the app it took me a while to figure out what's the best way to find editorial content and which are the playlists that deserve the most attention. I somehow wish someone had guided me through the world of official Apple Music playlists and had shared the best gems with me.

Because that didn't happen, I thought of using the lockdown and share with you my personal findings when it comes to the best-curated playlists on the platform. Also, if you use Apple Music, feel free to follow us and our playlists here.

BEATstrumentals

BEATstrumentals is hands down one of the best low-key groove selections by the Apple Music team. The playlist, which gets a frequent weekly update, is a collection of chillhop and lofi beats, perfect to plug in the background and space out while nodding your head.

Whether they're derived from jazz, funk, soul, or ambient music, these chill hip-hop beats from around the world provide a soothing soundtrack for breezing through to-do lists, focusing on work, or unwinding after a long day.

LOOPS

If you follow Stereofox, you should know that some of us are diehard electronic music fans. While that might be one of the most generic terms I could have used, there's this specific segment of electronic music we feature and I think LOOPS is pretty much exact replication of our taste. In their latest update, the guys include Four Tet, Kllo, Caribou, Maribou State, Yaeji, Bearcubs, Tycho... the list goes on and on, but definitely artists we love, follow and feature. A definite rave vibe.

The history of electronic music is synonymous with innovation—in sound, technology, and ideas. Whether in the underground or in the spotlight, the artists featured here are always pushing forward, either inventing bold, new styles or finding fresh ways to flip old, familiar favorites.

Pure Focus

We can't be talking about electronic music and miss those ambient-driven sounds which help us when we need to focus on a task. And yes, the world is not just chillhop when it comes to studying. Apple Music's Pure Focus is a playlist of haunting and captivating sonic waves that will elevate you.

Sharpen your senses with this mix of introspective electronic soundscapes.

The Lounge

Time to step into The Lounge. Dope rhythms, downtempo and tight beat grooves are definitely going to be your guide into the world of cool electronics. The 100 tracks playlist always has some cool surprised along the way, so in terms of vibes and BPM you shall definitely not be surprised.

Here's a mix of downtempo indie rock, jazzy electronic, and outré hip-hop that holds the vibe without rocking the boat. Whether you're reading, cooking, or just lying back and chilling out, put this on and let it ride.

Midnight City

Midnighty City's name speaks for itself. If you're looking for that sweet spot where indie dance, funk, and electronic dance music live, you will find home here. Little Dragon, Flume, TOKiMONSTA, Grimes, Disclosure, Tame Impala - the list is diverse, but definitely

Night isn't just a time—it's a feeling, a place where cares dissipate into dream. Mixing left-field dance-pop and indie electronic, here's a set that keeps the pulse up without losing its sense of wee-hours imagination and play.

Bedtime beats

While I do use Headspace, there's one place on Apple Music where I know I can find an escape when it comes to channeling negative energy out of my brain before going to bed. Bedtime beats. Awesome artwork and a wide selection of beat lullabies for those who love lofi and chillhop musc.

The moon’s up, the hour’s late, the world’s asleep. Look, it’s been a long day—no need to belabor the point. Here’s a mix of low-key instrumental hip-hop for unwinding and falling asleep.

R&B Trends

Since we're talking bedroom, in case you're looking for your next sexy time soundtrack, you gotta head to R&B Trends. Subtle beats and silky soulful vocals, you'll be in the company of H.E.R., emawk, Frank Ocean and alike.

R&B is one of the more dynamic spaces in modern music—and this is where you'll find the boundary-pushing artists leading the conversation. Taking cues from hip-hop and electronic, but still anchored by tradition, here are the tracks pointing the way R&B is heading

New Fire

Yeah, selecting New Fire was a no brainer. The Apple Music guys have added Thundercat, Childish Gambino and BROCKHAMPTON in their latest update (by the time I write these lines). Since we're sliding in the hip hop waters, you definitely shouldn't sleep on this playlist.

The name of this playlist says it all: These tunes are super-fresh and scorching-hot. It's your place to keep up with the best new hip-hop, R&B, and dance.

Conscious Hip-Hop Essentials

We can't talk about hip hop and skip the classics. Lots of old school vibe when it comes to Conscious Hip-Hop Essentials. The best thing about this playlist is that besides legends like GZA, Common, Wu Tang and Gang Starr, you'll hear heaps of new talent like Noname and Oddisee.

Hip-hop has been a political hotbed since its inception, broadcasting messages about equality and oppression that were as powerful as the beats, flow, and delivery. In the beginning, there were artists like Grandmaster Flash reporting on the conditions of the communities where they lived. Then groups like N.W.A. and Public Enemy came onto the rap landscape in the mid-’80s issuing direct challenges to authority figures like the police and politicians. And while the ferocity of messaging hasn’t died down, the lens has widened, with artists like Common and Slum Village delivering rhymes about romance as resistance.

Apple Music Playlists

The editorial staff at Apple Music are constantly expanding and venturing into different topics, so I feel this page will be a constant work in progress. In addition, the team added their Replay playlists in November 2019 and I've heard some pretty good feedback so far.

Those playlists are not created automatically and you will need to enable them from your Apple Music account. In addition, you can grab your 2020 Replay mixes from this page.

Got your favourite playlists on the platform? Feel free to send us a message! Feel free to follow us and our 10 playlists on Apple Music here.