Threshold is designed as a transitional ident, sitting between modern adult contemporary and understated contemporary pop. Rather than signalling arrival or resolution, its role is to mark movement – the sense of passing from one section of a programme to another without forcing a change in tone or energy.
The ident was originally commissioned to support the theme of Still Becoming for my edition of the Monday evening show, broadcast 5th January 2026.
During development, Threshold exposed one of the more nuanced challenges of working with AI: its instinct to resolve musical ideas too clearly. Early generations repeatedly pushed towards obvious endings or emotional payoffs, undermining the ident’s purpose as a moment of suspension rather than conclusion. Achieving the right balance required deliberately holding tension – shaping phrasing, dynamics, and structure so the ident suggested forward motion without tipping into climax.
Following its initial use, Threshold becomes particularly effective within the Monday Evening Wind-Down. Stripped of its original contextual framing, it has transitioned naturally into a dedicated Wind-Down ident – one designed to support movement between segments without disturbing the programme’s reflective arc. Its evolution reflects a recurring theme across the catalogue: that the most enduring jingles are often those that emerge from specific commissions, but earn longevity through practical on-air use.