The Easiest Ways to Discover New Music!

With everything going on in the world today, it seems like more and more people are turning to music as a form of escapism. But after a while, there’s a good chance that your playlist is getting a little, well, played out. If you want to find some new things to listen to, check out these tips! 

1. Spotify Fresh Finds Playlists

Fresh Finds is a playlist series that features indie artists across multiple genres. It’s a great way to discover artists you’ve probably never heard of, and they’re updated with new releases every week. They make separate playlists for different types of music, including pop and hip-hop, as well as a master playlist of new songs across genres.

2. YouTube Recommendations

YouTube recommendations are one of the simplest ways to find new music that’s similar to what you already listen to, and you’ve probably used them in the past. Start by going to a video of a song you like, then browse the Recommended column on the right. It may show you other songs by the same artist or songs that fans of that artist have also listened to. (See screenshot above.)

3. Artists Your Favorite Artists Have Worked With

This is one of my personal favorite ways to find new music -- it’s how I found Machine Gun Kelly through YUNGBLUD, phem through Machine Gun Kelly, and Elko through phem. Think of someone your favorite singer has collaborated with and check out their solo projects! 

4. Tour Lineups

A lot of people tend to skip out on the opening acts at concerts, and it’s their loss! The main performers usually hand-pick opening acts that complement their style, and because of this, they often have overlapping fanbases. Even if you can't make it to your favorite artists' concerts, you can simulate the concert experience by researching who your favorite artists have toured with. You can also research festivals and tours with big lineups -- for example, Warped Tour featured dozens of rock and alternative artists every year, and New York City’s annual Governors Ball includes artists across pop, rock, hip-hop, and country.

Happy listening!