I used Apple Music's new AI tool to break out of my music rut - and it worked

Jada Jones/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

• Playlist Playground debuted in iOS 26.4.
• This feature allows users to create AI-generated playlists from a prompt.
• It's easy and quick, but not always a home run.

When I was younger, I spent lots of time discovering new music and curating playlists filled with songs that captured every mood I was in and activity I regularly engaged in, ranging from angsty melancholy to driving down the highway on a sunny day. As more adult responsibilities entered my life, I've had less desire to discover new music and more desire to find solace in my favorite tracks from the past; it's probably been years since I dedicated hours to a new playlist.

Also: Spotify vs. Apple Music: I've subscribed to both streaming services, and prefer this one

Enter Apple Music's Playlist Playground, a new feature in iOS 26.4, that uses generative AI to create a playlist from a prompt you provide. This prompt can include anything from "make a playlist with songs that have a similar vibe to Tame Impala's 'Breathe Deeper,'" to "create a playlist where every third word of the tracklist is the word 'love.'"

So, I let Apple Music create AI-curated playlists for me over the weekend, asking for ones to walk through the city, complete a high-intensity workout, and help me stay focused while finishing some weekend work. Here's how it went.

An after-work stroll through Atlanta

Jada Jones/ZDNET

I was running a few errands in Atlanta on Friday evening and needed a playlist to serve as background music during my main character moment. Years ago, when I was living and finishing my degree in Atlanta, I made a playlist for my afternoons walking around my downtown college campus, and the AI-generated playlist couldn't have been more different.

Also: The fundamental reason why YouTube with ads isn't worth it - even if it's free

I directed Playlist Playground to create a playlist for "walking through the streets of Atlanta on a sunny day." When I think of Atlanta and music, I think of dirty south rappers like Ludacris, OutKast, and Ying Yang Twins, or modern trap superstars like Young Thug, Gunna, Future, and Migos. In hindsight, I realize that my prompt was off, and my expectations of the AI weren't clear enough, as Playlist Playground has a different association of the words "music" and "Atlanta" than I do.

That said, my Playlist Playground featured selections from Harry Styles, Weezer, Maroon 5, and Katy Perry; all were songs that I like, but didn't quite fit what I was in the mood for at that specific moment. I'll pass on this playlist and stick to my own or turn to Apple's "Atlanta Hip-Hop Essentials" playlist.

A Saturday afternoon workout

Jada Jones/ZDNET

My gym playlist often goes stale, as I'm not someone who can listen to just anything when I'm mustering up the motivation to work out after a day at work. Rarely do I actually listen to music while working out, and I just need something with enough bass and beats per minute to push me through a heavy lift.

I find myself replaying Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow," Jennie's "Like Jennie," and Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra" throughout my hour-long workout, so I was due for some variety. After my Atlanta-themed playlist didn't go as planned, I realized I needed to be more specific with Prompted Playlists to get my desired results.

Also: Spotify vs. YouTube Music: I tried both streaming services, and this one was the better deal

Instead of simply asking for a gym playlist for a heavy lift Saturday afternoon, I specified that I wanted a high-intensity playlist featuring hip-hop and pop songs with a higher beats-per-minute (BPM). I got exactly that: "Guap" by Big Sean (146 BPM); "Time of Our Lives" by Pitbull & Ne-Yo (124 BPM); "MotorSport" by Migos, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B (138 BPM), plus 47 other songs. I checked each song's BPM on SongBPM.com, and according to Planet Fitness' website, the ideal BPM range for strength training is 120 to 140.

This gym-inspired Playlist Playground got the job done, and with nearly three hours' worth of songs, I had plenty of music to sustain my workout.

Sunday productivity, focus, and alertness

Jada Jones/ZDNET

My work playlist changes depending on the day; when I'm doing less intensive tasks, I can listen to my favorite music, but when I'm deep in thought while writing, lyrics can throw off my writing flow. However, when music is too soft and fades into the background too much, I get distracted and lose focus.

Also: Spotify's Prompted Playlists feel like a smarter way to discover music - how it works

I rarely turn to Apple's curated playlists during my heads-down work time, as they don't strike the balance I need to achieve optimal flow. So, I asked Playlist Playground to create a playlist featuring lo-fi beats, binaural beats, and coffeehouse jazz tracks that promote focus and productivity for my Sunday morning. The playlist included several songs from each genre, giving me 29 songs for one hour and 25 minutes of listening.

The variety of genres and tracks was great for me, and I listened to the entire playlist while I worked. I'll keep this one in my library.

My verdict

Apple Music's Playlist Playground feature is great for making a playlist in an instant for passive listening, such as when you need one for a gathering, to play in the background while working, driving, or exercising. Still, you'll need to be specific about the vibes, genres, artists, and goals you're aiming for to achieve your desired results.

Also: Spotify got another price increase, but I found a cheaper alternative (with the same Premium benefits)

If you like the playlists made by Playlist Playground, you can alter them by adding music from your library, choosing from Apple Music's suggested songs, changing the thumbnail, adding a description, and making it your own. However, there are times when a playlist is an intentional act, like making one for someone you love, one that accommodates everyone's tastes during a road trip, or a sing-along among friends. To accomplish that, context and memories are required, which the AI doesn't have.

If you're in a particular mood to hear certain songs, or associate songs, genres, or specific artists with feelings, the AI is less likely to be on the same page as you. You'll get songs that capture the general vibe you're describing, but to curate playlists that capture deeper thoughts, feelings, or memories associated with music, you'll have to do it yourself.