We live in a fascinating era of endless streaming platforms and algorithms and discovering new music seems both thrilling and an overwhelming journey to embark upon. When a single tap of a button can avail a heap of millions of songs, it might become a herculean task to ensure we are not stuck in a loop of the same artists and genres. How are you supposed to search for what you want if 100,000 songs are uploaded to streaming platforms every single day?
In a survey on 5,000 people in France, UK, Germany, USA, and Brazil, Deezer found that 65% of the participants almost exclusively listen to music they have been listening to for years. Whether you are one of those people or not, if you want to discover new music, artists, and genres, and dig out some hidden musical gems, this is just the article for you.
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Look No Further
Sometimes things that we really need are, surprisingly, right within our grasp. The playlists, and bookmarks that we saved so fondly in our devices but never bothered to take a look for the second time, who knows what treats they have in store for us.
Your quest for new music can possibly begin from things you once deemed worthy. You saved them for a reason, right? Try to go through them first, and if you manage to find a few, now you have some artists or albums to explore. After you are done with this, you can move on to the next step.
Streaming Platforms And Algorithms
Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube have changed the game when it comes to how we access music now. These services are always incorporating new features in accordance with users’ needs and convenience. One of their features is to introduce you to new artists and songs through personalized recommendations.
Taking advantage of these platforms’ algorithms can unlock a treasure vault of music. For example, take Spotify’s “Discover Weekly.” Every Monday, Spotify generates a fresh playlist based on your listening habits. Apple Music offers something similar as well.
Such recommendations based on your previous listens and preferences would expose you to tracks that you may not have come across otherwise. It’s one of the most well-known ways to find new music. And also YouTube’s Auto-play and Related Videos suggested by its algorithm can lead you down interesting musical rabbit holes, from live performances to niche genres and underground acts.
Curated Playlists
So far so good. However, walking along this path of discovering new songs might turn into an endless loop of frustration. You might start feeling that suggested songs are becoming too much “made for you.” If you ever cease to find something fresh and exciting, “curated playlists” are what would rejuvenate your enthusiasm.
A curated playlist is a powerful tool for music discovery. Both streaming services and independent users create playlists that introduce new music to listeners which more often than not focus on specific genres, moods, or themes. You can explore playlists that focus on specific genres you’re interested in, such as indie rock, hip-hop, electronic, jazz, classical, or world music. These playlists often highlight both well-known tracks and hidden gems. Or they can be tailored to particular moods, activities, or even times of day.
Credit: BRZA
You can work on a collaborative Playlist as well with friends, family, or even strangers. Joining such a playlist is actually a fun way to see what others are listening to, and with the power of friendship you can potentially be exposed to artists and tracks.
Blogs and Websites
Another great way of finding your new aural addiction is through music blogs and websites. If you’re a dedicated music fan, you might already have the habit of reading reviews or keeping tabs on emerging trends in music. It is easy to find blogs that would serve you in many different ways. Some focus more on particular genres, while others provide a broader view of the spectrum of musical content. You can choose your poison however you want.
Pitchfork, Stereogum, Consequence of Sound, NPR Music and NME are some of the most popular sites that frequently feature reviews, interviews, and articles about both mainstream and underground music; and also “Best of” lists of new albums and songs that are worth listening to. Bandcamp has a Daily blog that offers articles about rising artists, genres, and recommendations for hidden gems. Like Bandcamp, SoundCloud has been at the forefront of promoting jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and indie artists for years.
If you have a specific interest in a certain genre or subculture–like jazz, indie rock, or experimental electronic music–many specialized blogs focus solely on those. Keep an eye on the music press, you can stay up-to-date with the latest trends and hidden treasures in the world of music.
Moreover, keep an eye on TopTuneTales, your go-to music blog for songs, artists, and albums for discovering new music.
Social Media
Social media dominates our virtual and real life, and thus it has become an excellent place for discovering new music. Artists, fans, and influencers share their music, recommendations, live sessions, and viral songs on these platforms, and if we take into account how many hours we are spending on them, the chance of finding new music is alarmingly high.
Songs often go viral on TikTok and Instagram through trends, memes, and challenges. Some of these trending songs often make their way to the top of charts and playlists. Many artists use Instagram to share new releases, behind-the-scenes content, and sneak peeks of upcoming projects. By checking out these artists you are bound to find your next new favourites. You can also follow hashtags to get recommendations and discover lesser-known artists.
Twitter is another platform that needs to be mentioned if we are talking about artists sharing updates about new releases. And if you fancy opinions from your internet peers, Reddit is the place you want to check. Subreddits on music are excellent places to find recommendations from other ardent music enthusiasts. Members of these communities are passionate about sharing and discussing songs and albums. So staying active on TikTok can lead to discovering the latest hits early on.
Radio Stations and Podcasts
In the olden days, radio was the most common medium for news and entertainment and it still is. In your journey to discover new music, it might just be a unique option as well as an efficient one, especially since this medium has been upgraded so much over the years. Prominent online Radio Stations like “Pandora,” “Last.fm,” and 8tracks are popular for their personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists and genres. Moreover, these stations often feature interviews and reviews of artists, albums, and songs.
Podcasts have become one of the biggest platforms in this day and age. There’s an abundance of podcasts dedicated solely to music. Like radio, these offer interviews with artists, composers, and producers. Podcasts are also viable options for coming across new music.
Live Shows and Festivals
I think all of us can agree that nothing beats live shows and festivals if we are talking about experiencing music. So, it might not be an exaggeration to claim the best way to discover new music is in person. These days live shows and festivals offer serendipitous opportunities to find emerging artists who are gaining fame and followers but have yet to achieve mainstream recognition.
Small, independent local venues are often the perfect grounds to encounter new and talented musicians. It does not have to be a place dedicated to music, local open mic nights or events at cafes and bars can also provide you with the chance to hear something new and refreshing. Famous festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Glastonbury feature established artists of contemporary music industries along with lesser-known ones.
By attending shows at smaller clubs or local festivals, you can witness rising stars before they become household names. Even if you can’t attend any live events in person whenever you want, many concerts are now streamed on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live and it allows you to experience music in real-time.
Final Words
The task of discovering new music is a daunting albeit an enrapturing one as the world of music is unimaginably vast. With the incessant and unabated growth in the number of musicians and their creations, we have countless ways to discover new sounds at our disposal.
Whatever method you employ, you will, without a doubt, end up discovering music that can satiate your desire for something you can play on repeat until you get bored. It is an overwhelming feeling that maybe my favorite albums or songs of all time are still out there waiting to be discovered.