The fact that it works for the author, but totally does not for you is a big fat sign that says: search what works for you. More than that: search what works for you in a particular state of mind. You are a special enough snowflake to require a personal playlist, and it's not easily guessable. Sometimes what works best for me is Bach's violin concertos. Other times it's MBR [1]. Yet other times it might be some Keiko Matsui piano jazz, or early Apocalyptica, or Enya, or [...]. Try different things, notice what feels right and when, rinse, repeat.

[1]: https://masterbootrecord.bandcamp.com/music

Agreed! I like music that can be enjoyed either active or passive listening. The main requirement is that it have no vocals. Here's my go-to Spotify playlist while coding.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IKenYEiooONuxxawKtNOm?si=...

Totally, give me Power Metal, or even whatever Rammstein is at any time, if there is no percussion I find it either too relaxing or it will get on my nerves, no middle ground.

As someone else mentioned, I had a "Programming" playlist that has barely changed in 20 years (small additions here and there) and mine tend yo be "uplifting" type of music (if that makes sense).