How to Get Out of a Musical Rut!

Every few months, I catch myself skipping through 10 songs just to find one I'm willing to sit through. Sometimes I’ll even choose to sit in silence, not knowing what music to play. If you can relate, you’re definitely not alone! Musical ruts happen to everyone; we all have moments of feeling uninspired by our playlists. On the bright side, getting out of this rut is not too complicated -- all you need is some curiosity and an open mind.

Search for your favorite artists’ main inspirations.

Look up interviews, social media posts, or playlists from your favorite artists. They’ve likely shared their inspirations, their personal favorite musicians, or both! If you love an artist’s sound, chances are you’ll also love the music that influences them.

Look at what the rest of the world is listening to.

Do you particularly like the way a language sounds? Maybe you would like the way it sounds when sung as well. You could look into the most popular songs in a particular country, or search for the timeless fan favorites in that language.

Ask a friend.

Ask a friend to send you 5 songs they love right now, or 5 songs they think you would love. Asking a friend who has a music taste similar to yours is a great idea, but asking a friend whose music taste is completely different from yours could be a fun way to explore something new!

Find live music in your area.

What better way to find new music than to support up-and-coming artists? You could be the next pop star’s first fan! Go into bars or restaurants that play live music, or search for small venues in your area that are hosting local musicians.

Try a radio.

Search for local radio stations, college stations, or even internet radio stations. Unlike the algorithm-built playlists in streaming apps, radio stations often have real humans selecting the music, mixing genres and eras while still keeping a good flow to the playlist.

Revisit old favorite songs.

Do you remember that song you played for a week straight years ago and then never listened to again? Give it another shot! Sometimes rediscovering an old favorite can remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place.

Use algorithms in your favor.

Search for your favorite musician on Instagram, then look through their “recommended accounts” list. Usually, there will be some musicians there who have fans in common. Search keywords on TikTok to find new artists that fit within your taste, or look through the “made for you” playlists of streaming apps.

Turn to your favorite TV shows and movies.

TV shows in particular are a gold mine for discovering new music, as music supervisors often source background music from lesser-known artists because licensing fees are cheaper. So, next time you're watching one of your favorite shows, keep an ear out for what music they're playing; if something catches your attention, hit that Shazam button and get to downloading -- you not only get some new music in your repertoire but you're helping out a rising artist! A win-win!

If you would like to completely refresh your music taste, try keeping a “weekly favorites” playlist. Use the tips above to find new music, then every week add 5 songs you like, and remove 2-3 you’re tired of. Have fun discovering new sounds!