This is weird and important.
When you go back to something, pay really close attention to your first listen.
I have no idea why this is, but the ideas and inspirations I get on the first listen are the most insightful and exciting that I have.
But they’re also the most fleeting and ephemeral as if in a dream.
So make sure you have a notepad and a pen to hand before you press play. Don’t stop it. Listen all the way through from beginning to end. And while you’re listening note down every thought you have on that first listen as fast as you can.
Whatever you do, don’t listen to it again until you’ve got all your thoughts down. I’d even suggest not listening to it again. Go do the stuff you are thinking about right now.
Apart from anything else, most people who hear your music will be hearing it for the first time too – you need to pay attention to how they’ll hear it.