There is a slight strategy sometimes, but only if the opportunity arises.
You can in theory save a colour bomb. If you advance a level just before or during a crescendo, you could fire that on the new level and effectively advance 2 levels at once.
But yea it seems to be just plain speed. Keep the combo going and you will race through the levels. Level 2 should arrive before the first crescendo for example.
Do the points go up the higher level you're on? (I assume so)
I got 184k, but I'm really struggling with the stock tiles, they are horrible! I want 'Miami' pieces back