Find your evening station
Density, voices and changes of mood: three useful clues beyond the word chill.
The name of a mellow channel gives you only a first impression of its programme. Listen to a few tracks in a row and notice the density: how many instruments sound at once, how prominent the drums are and how often a bright melodic phrase comes forward. Reading and an evening devoted to music may call for quite different recordings.
Pay attention to voices. One station may favour instrumental beats, another songs, spoken fragments or short vocal passages. If words distract you from what you are doing, look for a more instrumental station. If you want stories and familiar choruses, give a channel that reaches beyond your usual lo-fi selection a chance.
Do not rush to switch stations after one unexpected track. Sometimes contrast makes the return to a softer sound especially enjoyable. If the programme's mood still does not match yours, find the name of an artist you liked through the official playlist and try a neighbouring channel. A good station leaves room for discoveries of your own.
Keep listening
From airy chillhop to jazzy keys and rough-edged instrumental beats, find your own shade of a gentle rhythm. Choose a station.