Thanks in advance for coming to my ted talk. Short answer (with major caveat): GHOST! See below*** Long answer: my 2 cents : Run, Work of Art & Bloodthirsty would be last or not in the playlist at all. Think about it like this: you're playing w/ ppl's expectations, and if you label a playlist Dark America/Americana folk, they're going to expect to hear that...the following three songs don't meet that expectation. If the below 3 songs are anywhere near the front/top of the playlist, they will hurt your chances of a listener getting past them to discover that there are some really great Dark Americana folk songs in here. - RUN - leans more pop Work of Art - leans more swing Bloodthirsty - leans more rock - long af intro, for over 45 secs its totally instrumental and a supervisor may (or may not) dig around for a sec to find where the vocals start if they like it. My top 2 would likely be : Thanks I hate it, Ghost***. Followed by, Demon's Run (featured version which is darker and vibier than solo version) and then shot Heard round the world. I would keep the playlist a tight 5 songs...maybe make it 6 and put work of art at the end since its fun but doesnt feel dark americana enough to put towards. ***Ghost notes***: this one would easily be the strongest if it wasn't for one obvious thing that is a dealbreaker. The key line of the song "why have you forsaken me?!" gets stepped on by sound design and a guitar lick (:35 and throughout). The guitar lick and sound design need to be automated down at this point to let vocal shine. This song could be the standout overall and between that and "Thanks I Hate It" I could hear on a show today. BUT that line getting stepped on is a deal breaker. ***Ghost notes (continued)***: Also, I strongly advise making (and leading with) a sound-design free edit- think about use in a tv show/film, you will likely be competing with sound design/effects and dialogue and anything that is distracting/competing to those core elements will likely lead to an automatic 'no' from a key decision maker, all other things being equal. (maybe leave in the shaker thing at :20 but even that should come down significantly and made darker in the mix)

@Londo Masterman excited to have you in there!

@Brian Davis I could a Sunday afternoon or evening

@Jonathan Chesbro say less. its on the way

Another note I want to add - instead of bringing that shaker down what if you moved it ahead like 1/8th note? Where its at now rhythmically pushing the beats down onto the down beat as opposed to keeping it in the pocket with the clave rimshots on the 'up beat' and then i think if you emphasize that shaker with a rim/kick or something to make it feel locked in with the rest that could help. Worth a try..

You could try something similar with the 808s, brass and flutes so they are not so rhythmically straight. Try moving them around by an 8th note. Remember you can try stuff and save it as a different version and still have this version if the vibe is off... Gimme that bounce! Another thing... i like how the 808 comes in ahead of the section....

@Virgil Cash hell yea! #albummode

@Kaleb Blackard @Tim Jeffcoat you can never be too organized honestly. but its easier to set up system ahead of time and stick to them then try to organize the mess afterwards. Sync is especially good for this, whether you pursue it as seriously as we are, it opens your eyes and mind up to the level of organization that is really needed to be successful in music and life in general/as an entrepreneur.