diff --git a/PRD.md b/PRD.md
index 34ef33d..35fa3ee 100644
--- a/PRD.md
+++ b/PRD.md
@@ -639,4 +639,21 @@ Test files often contain working code snippets that can be adapted:
 - **ALL developers** must follow this directive
 - **ALL test files** must be in `src/tests/`
 - **NO EXCEPTIONS** to this rule
-- **IMMEDIATE CORRECTION** required for any violations 
\ No newline at end of file
+- **IMMEDIATE CORRECTION** required for any violations
+
+## Performance Optimizations
+
+### Default Artist Sorting
+- **Enabled by default**: Songs are automatically sorted by artist name before processing
+- **Performance benefits**: 
+  - Better database query efficiency (similar artists processed together)
+  - Improved caching behavior
+  - Cleaner log output organization
+- **Optional disable**: Use `--no-sort` flag to preserve original order
+- **User experience**: Most users benefit from sorting, so it's the default
+
+### Multiple Artist Candidate Search
+- **Intelligent artist selection**: Tries multiple artist candidates when first choice doesn't have the recording
+- **Recording-aware prioritization**: Artists with the specific recording are prioritized
+- **Fallback strategy**: Up to 5 different artist candidates are tried if needed
+- **Comprehensive search**: Searches names, aliases, and fuzzy matches 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/cli/main.py b/src/cli/main.py
index a14ce6d..d0de05c 100644
--- a/src/cli/main.py
+++ b/src/cli/main.py
@@ -31,10 +31,11 @@ from ..core.factory import DataProviderFactory
 class MusicBrainzCleaner:
     """Enhanced MusicBrainz Cleaner with interface-based data access."""
     
-    def __init__(self, use_database: bool = True, base_url: str = DEFAULT_MUSICBRAINZ_URL, force: bool = False):
+    def __init__(self, use_database: bool = True, base_url: str = DEFAULT_MUSICBRAINZ_URL, force: bool = False, no_sort: bool = False):
         self.use_database = use_database
         self.base_url = base_url
         self.force = force
+        self.no_sort = no_sort
         
         # Create data provider using factory
         self.data_provider = DataProviderFactory.create_provider(use_database, base_url)
@@ -75,10 +76,19 @@ class MusicBrainzCleaner:
             print("Error: Source file should contain a JSON array of songs")
             return {}
         
-        # Apply limit if specified
+        # Sort songs by artist for better performance and organization
+        original_count = len(all_songs)
+        if not self.no_sort:
+            print("🔄 Sorting songs by artist for optimal processing...")
+            all_songs.sort(key=lambda song: song.get('artist', '').lower())
+            print(f"✅ Songs sorted by artist")
+        else:
+            print("ℹ️  Preserving original song order (sorting disabled)")
+        
+        # Apply limit if specified (after sorting)
         if limit is not None:
             all_songs = all_songs[:limit]
-            print(f"⚠️  Limiting processing to first {limit} songs")
+            print(f"⚠️  Limiting processing to first {limit} songs (from {original_count:,} total)")
         
         total_songs = len(all_songs)
         print(f'📊 Total songs to process: {total_songs:,}')
@@ -259,6 +269,10 @@ MusicBrainz Data Cleaner - Clean and normalize song data using MusicBrainz
 USAGE:
     musicbrainz-cleaner [options]
 
+DEFAULT BEHAVIOR:
+    Songs are automatically sorted by artist name for optimal performance.
+    Use --no-sort to preserve the original order.
+
 OPTIONS:
     --source FILE              Source JSON file (default: data/songs.json)
     --output-success FILE      Output file for successful songs (default: source-success.json)
@@ -266,6 +280,7 @@ OPTIONS:
     --limit N                  Process only the first N songs (default: all songs)
     --use-api                  Force use of HTTP API instead of direct database access
     --force                    Force reprocessing, ignoring all existing MBIDs
+    --no-sort                  Disable artist sorting (preserve original order)
     --test-connection          Test connection to MusicBrainz server
     --help, -h                 Show this help message
     --version, -v              Show version information
@@ -292,6 +307,9 @@ EXAMPLES:
     # Force reprocessing (ignore all existing MBIDs)
     musicbrainz-cleaner --force
 
+    # Disable artist sorting (preserve original order)
+    musicbrainz-cleaner --no-sort
+
 REQUIREMENTS:
     - MusicBrainz server running on http://localhost:5001
     - PostgreSQL database accessible (for direct database access)
@@ -334,6 +352,7 @@ def parse_arguments(args: List[str]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         'use_api': False,
         'test_connection': False,
         'force': False,
+        'no_sort': False,
         'help': False,
         'version': False
     }
@@ -352,6 +371,8 @@ def parse_arguments(args: List[str]) -> Dict[str, Any]:
             parsed['use_api'] = True
         elif arg == '--force':
             parsed['force'] = True
+        elif arg == '--no-sort':
+            parsed['no_sort'] = True
         elif arg == '--source':
             if i + 1 < len(args) and not args[i + 1].startswith('--'):
                 parsed['source'] = args[i + 1]
@@ -437,7 +458,11 @@ def main() -> int:
             return ExitCode.USAGE_ERROR
         
         # Process the file
-        cleaner = MusicBrainzCleaner(use_database=not parsed['use_api'], force=parsed['force'])
+        cleaner = MusicBrainzCleaner(
+            use_database=not parsed['use_api'], 
+            force=parsed['force'],
+            no_sort=parsed['no_sort']
+        )
         cleaner.process_songs(source_file, output_success, output_failure, parsed['limit'])
         
         return ExitCode.SUCCESS