Explore The Ecosystem of the Best Deezer Editorial Playlists

There are tons of news coming out of Deezer's offices. Always on the positive side of things. The French streaming platforms were at the forefront of the artist-centric payout system, making sure everyone, including indies are fairly compensated for their work.

As of lately, Deezer has been the first streaming platform actively combating AI-generated music, not only by labelling it, but by demonetizing it entirely. A move that feels right in an industry that’s increasingly struggling to draw a clear line between innovation and exploitation.

In this article, we cover a feature that I personally find the heart and soul of every DSP - its playlists. Deezer has three types of playlists - the ones managed by the editorial team, user, and algorithm-generated ones. After a brief dissection of the Deezer Editorial ecosystem and why playlists are a core feature, I will be guiding you through my favorite Deezer editorials and the selections of their curator's team.

If you use Deezer, feel free to say hi and check out our own playlist selection, you can do it here. We update them quite regularly.

The Essence of Deezer Editorial Playlists

The concept of a playlist is far from new. Today's follow-up to a mixtape is a key feature in every major DSP, and Deezer is no exception. This collection of tracks, organized around a specific topic, serves essentially as a vessel. In reality, the existence of playlists, however, goes beyond organizing music. In a world where products develop and evolve as quickly as ever, the quality of the editorial playlist is a vital part of the decision-making process for users (and potential future subscribers). Editorial playlists turned DSPs into modern world curators and put them up on the map alongside blogs and music publications. They also serve as an additional advertising possibility - something Deezer utilizes quite well (read further).

Most importantly, they are the true connection between a streaming platform and its listeners, so I believe that making sure users fall in love with those curated selections is vital for the success of every major player in this business.

Deezer's editorial playlists are built around a genre, mood, activity (and bonus, which I haven't seen elsewhere) - events or festivals. They also curate a dedicated Lofi section, which has a superb amount of various instrumental chill playlists. That's not something new. What's new, however, and what sets Deezer's editorial playlist apart from anyone else is the fact that it's fully transparent who the curator behind each playlist is.

I love the fact that each curator has a specialized mood or genre, and they manage multiple playlists you can easily explore. As someone who has been using it for years now, I can definitely say that each team member has their own branding, and after some time, you kind of get to know their taste, and it feels like a ride on a plane they're piloting. Hope this makes sense. In my book, that's a really smart move on their side and a clear differentiation from anyone else.

Besides focusing on building the curator's branding, one other thing that's different here is their sponsored editorial playlists. Introduced by Deezer Brand Solutions, they serve as a new advertising alternative for brands. For the first time, advertisers can take over Deezer’s editorial playlists and engage with fans and listeners.  Obviously, brands need to be careful and select editorials that best capture their target audience.

Emilie Proyart, VP of Advertising Sales at Deezer, shares, The ability to sponsor our curated editorial playlists opens up new opportunities for brands to connect to relevant and engaged audiences. Deezer’s playlists are curated by our expert editors, and the sponsorship option provides brands with the opportunity to stay close to the music with complementary visual and audio ads. We are already working with brands in France, Turkey, and Egypt, and look forward to offering this solution to more companies around the world.”

The Best Deezer Editorial Playlists

I couldn't find the actual number of editorial playlists, but now I'll share some of my favorite editorial playlists and the curators behind them.

All of those are frequently updated, so you'll always be at the forefront of finding new music with them.

Soul Coffee

50 tracks for when you're taking a break during the day.

Soul Coffee, curated by Yannick, is one of the smoothest selections you'll ever find on tha platform. The playlist delivers the ultimate feel-good chill experience. Get ready for a beautiful blend of classics like D'Angelo or Erykah Badu with artists at the forefront of soul and r&b music like Arlo Parks, Hiatus Kaiyote, Alfa Mist, Raveena, and SiR.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Soul to Chill and Feel Good Soul & Funk.

Lounge

Atmospheric and relaxing beats 🐚

If you're searching for a way to spend a lush and spaced-out afternoon while enjoying 2024's summer haze - look no further than Laetitia's Lounge selection. Smooth, yet groovy instrumental / electronic / house selection that adds the perfect positive flavour to any hot day out there.

chill lofi

Study or relax to the best lo-fi sounds around.

If you've been around Stereofox for a while you'll not be surprised to find a lo-fi and chillhop selection in here. We also release lots of beats on our label, so it's one of the scenes I always keep an eye on. Curated by Alice - one of the most active editors on the platform, Lo-Fi & Chill strikes the perfect balance between spacious and zen sounds and those light groove beats that are a perfect soundtrack to a summer afternoon drink. I was really happy to see some friends on the playlist (at the time of writing this) - Kupla, Psalm Trees, FloFilz, Cap Kendricks, and quickly, quickly are just a few of the familiar faces you'll see on our website as well.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Lofi Japan and Lo-Fi Hip-Hop.

Jazzy Hip-Hop

When Jazz meets Hip-Hop. This is the the Jazzy Hip-Hop Vibe.

Still riding the beat vibe, but it's time to up the BPM a bit and add some smooth bars. That's where Ayoub's Jazzy Hip-Hop truly excels. As soon as I found this playlist, I spotted some of my favorite artists and frequent visitors in our feed. It was love at first listen. Ol' Burger Beats and Vuyo, MF DOOM (RIP), Blue Lab Beats, Damu The Fudgemunk Madlib, and actually our label mate Alcynoos, who we released with on our own label.

Ayoub also curates Women of Rap, and Queer Hip-Hop. All of them are equally stellar and a must-check-out!

Digging this? Make sure you also check Rap at Work and Hip-Hop Beats.

Chill Beats (electronic)

The soundtrack for when you want to take a step back and chill.

As I keep writing this and dig around my favorites and saves, I realize the true benefits of seeing who curates the playlist. While all these editors are just people on the internet, with time, you kind of learn their taste and know what to expect. It also really helps as it makes it easier to know who to turn to depending on your mood. Also, huge respect for curating Women of Electronic where he showcases the talented female producers pushing the genre boundaries forward.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Afterhours and Poolside Electronic.

lofi jazz

Where jazz meets electronic music.

My favourite dinner with friends kinda playlist. Also curated by Yannick, the playful, yet comfy selection is a lovely background for long conversations while chilling at home with your favourite people. From Miles Davis and Jorja Smith to Joey Pecorano, Saib, and Badbadnotgood - each track offers a unique take on the feeling of chill. All of that with a nice evening jazz taste.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Blues Coffee and New Jazz Generation.

Dream House

Discover the rough and atmospheric edges of house.

Any playlist that starts with Kllo is a win in my book. Antoine's Dream House is both hazy and dynamic. Lane 8, Black Coffee, dj poolboi, Jacques Greene, Ben Bohmer, Kollektiv Turmstrasse… I feel this playlist very much resembles our Essential Electronica. Beautifully lonesome electronica which I often listen to when traveling alone or on my morning runs.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Bedroom Electronic and Lofi House Focus.

lofi r&b

A perfect Lo-Fi selection for you to focus, study or chill.

Smooth and wavy r&b, perfectly intertwined with some lofi inspired beats. A recipe for chill (and sexy) night, curated by the r&b curator legend Fábio. Expect artists like Steve Lacy, Solange, and H.E.R.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Chill R&B

Dancing On My Own

Chilled beats to help you relax.

Curated by Laetitia, Dancing On My Own is your go-to place for positive emotions. This playlist of chilled electronic music effortlessly creates a tranquil ambiance, perfect for unwinding and finding inner peace. The smooth blend of house rhythms and captivating beats offers a serene escape from the chaos of everyday life.

Digging this? Make sure you check Electronic Hits & Afterhours

Selected Ambient

A selection of the best ambient music out there.

Curated by Georges, this one is a source of pure bliss. Exploring the depths of one of the most spacious and relaxed genres, this selection will ease your mind and elevate it from all the stress we've been surrounded by lately.

Digging this? Don't forget to explore the Ambient Essentials playlist.

Instrumental Hip-Hop

Press play on the best instrumental hip-hop tracks.

We're riding the instrumental hip hop wave, and we can't go back shore before riding Ayoub's Instrumental Hip-Hop wave. The playlist features some of my favourite beatmakers Cookin' Soul, invention_, and Konteks, to name a few.

What I appreciate about this selection is that it offers a rather rich view on the genre in terms of style and production, and I bet everyone will find a gem to add to their library.

Digging this? Lo-Fi Hip-Hop could be your best new friend.

Lazy Indie

Cosy alternative tracks to spend the day with.

This can't be a real selection without some indie! Georges - Deezer's Indie & Alternative Editor has a number of playlists, but Lazy Indie is a great start for those who, like me, grew up with Foals and Bon Iver's first albums. I love how encompassing the selection is, meaning you can expect some psychedelics like Khruangbin and Alt-j, as well as some more indie-pop stuff similar to The 1975.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Feel-Good Alternative and Indietronica.

Sunny R&B

Our favourite R&B hits for some Summertime Magic vibes.

You know the kind of intimate and uplifting aura you get when you fall in love? That's how I would describe the Sunny R&B playlist. Honestly, this feels like the soundtrack of an endless summer with your favorite person. Kali Uchis, KALLITECHNIS, Childish Gambino, Kaytranada, and Jhené Aiko's music will make sure the honeymoon high vibe never goes down.

Digging this? Make sure you also check Chill R&B and Lo-Fi R&B.

I think I just scratched the surface when it comes to the best Deezer editorial playlists, but I hope these little blurbs help you navigate this ocean of great music.