I am a mixtape junkie. Since my adolescent years I’ve been hopelessly addicted to mixtapes. And sadly, I’ve only ever had two given to me. But I’ve made dozens.

Ask anyone who is in love with the art of the mixtape and they’ll tell you about the rules. And while I don’t pretend to know what other’s rules are, I know I certainly have my own stringent set. There is a delicate balance and subtle harmony involved with taking the creative work of others and using it to speak your own words.

So in honor of this season’s mixtape release, I’ve decided to publish a handful of my own mixtape rules.

1. Don’t lead with a weak song. You never want to open a mix with a song with no defined beginning (such as a song that bleeds from the one prior to it on an album) or even an anemic start. You get one shot to set the tone of the disc, make it good.
2. Don’t use two songs by the same artist, let alone two back-to-back. Unless you’re doing a genre-specific or artist-specific mix, this is taboo. You’re showing your fanboyishness and lack of resources if you cannot find another song to say what you want.
3. Build steam. The sign of a truly great mixtape is the emotional ride that it is built on. How songs are placed on the disc might just be the most important aspect of a mixtape’s success, and wrong order can easily ruin a good one. Thinking of a bell curve or another metaphor for a build-up is critical. Tempo, pace and impact of each song need to subtly bleed into one another, but not stagnate or overexcite the mood.
4. Don’t overstate your point. Brevity is your friend. Just like a conversation or a poem, if you can make your point in less time, do it. You want the mix to be enjoyable, not laborious.
5. Subtlety is your friend. I’m not a fan of blatant mixes, that choose thematic songs based simply on title or lyrics. If the songs are not chosen for what feeling they evoke rather than saying “HEY THIS IS WHAT I’M ABOUT!” then you end up with 60 minutes of songs that don’t fit like a puzzle.

and finally,

6. Don’t be a snob. Sometimes your so-indie and uber-underground songs can’t say what you want. Don’t be afraid of backlash from the Scene Kids. Putting a more mainstream song on the tape in place of an inferior but more obscure one is better. No one dies in the making of mixtapes (well, maybe in hip hop), so don’t be afraid to put that Jon Secada song on there if it really does the mix justice.

These are the rules I mix by. They might not be yours, and they’re not set in stone, but they’ve done right by me. Find a theme, a voice, something you want to express. Then strap on your most comfortable pair of headphones, find a well-worn chair, and get to taking notes. Someone out there might just appreciate your mix.