How to Get Lo-Fi and Chill Music on Spotify Playlists

To get lo-fi or chill music on Spotify playlists, pitch tracks that hold one steady mood from start to finish, then contact curators whose playlists are built for the same moment, such as studying, sleep or late-night listening. These playlists are often played for hours in the background, so a track that fits the flow matters more than a big moment.

Know what listeners use the playlist for

Lo-fi and chill playlists are usually built around an activity or a mood. Before you pitch, decide which one your track suits:

• Study and focus: steady beats, no sudden changes and little or no vocals
• Sleep and relaxation: slower, softer and often without drums
• Late night: warmer, moodier and sometimes jazzier
• Coffee shop or work: light, upbeat and easy to leave on

Then check the playlist's recent additions. A study playlist and a sleep playlist can both say "chill", but they rarely want the same track. Delaynote groups these by moment, so you can browse study, sleep, focus, chill and late night playlists separately.

Start with the lo-fi directory, then look at beats, ambient, IDM and downtempo and lounge.

Check your track against the playlist

Play your track straight after two or three songs already on the list and listen for:

• Volume: does it suddenly sound louder or quieter?
• Changes: is there a drop, a loud fill or a vocal that breaks the mood?
• Texture: does the warmth, tape noise or vinyl crackle sit close to the rest?
• Intro and ending: does it start and finish smoothly enough to sit between other tracks?

If it stands out, pitch it to a different kind of playlist. Background listeners tend to skip a track that pulls their attention.

Make sure every sample is cleared

Lo-fi often uses samples, and that can cause problems after release. Before you pitch, make sure you have the rights to every sample, or replace it with your own playing or a properly licensed sound. A track removed over a rights claim can lose its playlist placements.

A short lo-fi pitch

Subject: Instrumental lo-fi for [Playlist Name]: "[Track Name]"

Hi [Curator Name],

I'm [Artist Name], a lo-fi producer from [Location]. "[Track Name]" is a [tempo] BPM instrumental with [one detail, such as a warm Rhodes loop and soft vinyl crackle], and I think it would suit [Playlist Name] next to [Artist on Playlist]. It stays calm all the way through, so it should sit well in a long listening session.

Spotify: [Link]

Thanks for listening, [Your Name]

Change the details so they are true for your track, or use our free pitch email generator. With full access, you can save your songs and pitch any curator in the directory with the email already filled in.

Tips for lo-fi producers

Release consistently. Many lo-fi curators add new tracks regularly, so a steady flow of releases gives you more chances to pitch. Use our pitch deadline calculator to plan each one.

Pitch the editors before each release. Use Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release. Editors only accept songs that haven't been released, and a pitch in that window can also get the track onto your followers' Release Radar.

Check a playlist before you trust it. Some background-music playlists grow quickly. Our playlist quality checker shows the recorded follower history and a bot check for playlists in the directory. Avoid anyone who promises streams for money, because Spotify warns against those services.

Think about vocals carefully. Some chill playlists welcome soft vocals, while study playlists often avoid them. Check the playlist first, and send an instrumental version if you have one.

FAQ

Do lo-fi playlists accept vocal tracks? Some do, especially chill and late-night playlists. Study and focus playlists often stick to instrumentals, so check the recent additions first.

Are small lo-fi playlists worth pitching? Yes, when the mood fits. Background playlists can bring repeat listening, and a well-matched small list is a sensible first step. Read more on what placements can do.

Can I pitch a track that's already out? You can't pitch it to Spotify's editors, but you can contact independent curators. Read how to pitch after release.

For the full process, read how to get your music on Spotify playlists.