👍/dan/

Appearance

Anthony Fantano

📌 Written by Dan
📅 Last updated 26th August, 2025
💬 Discord danxyz7

Welcome! This guide explores various avenues for discovering new music beyond mainstream algorithms. We'll focus on curated sources, understanding the landscape, and the sheer joy and reward that comes from active discovery versus passive consumption.

Who Is This For & How to Use This Guide ​

This guide is for anyone feeling stuck in algorithmic ruts, looking to deepen their musical knowledge, or wanting to actively engage with music discovery. Feel free to jump to sections that interest you most via the Table of Contents, or read through for a comprehensive overview. The goal is to equip you with diverse tools and perspectives to enrich your musical journey.

Table of Contents ​

Music Journalism ​

Music Journalism is often overlooked, but publications cultivate specific niches and target audiences.

Traditional Magazines & Their Niches ​

Historically, different magazines catered to specific tastes:

Online Publications & Newsletters ​

Beyond traditional magazines, online sources are key:

Pitchfork ​

Pitchfork often gets a bad rap, especially with recent absorption into GQ and layoffs, but they undeniably shaped modern online music journalism. Despite challenges, their Best New Music and Best New Reissues sections remain valuable discovery points.

Hearing Things ​

Hearing Things was started by ex-Pitchfork staff aiming for that early indie spirit.

The Wire ​

The Wire consistently covers groundbreaking artists years before wider recognition (MF DOOM, Lil B, Moor Mother). Arguably the best source for music far outside the mainstream. Check their Audio section.

The Quietus ​

The Quietus leans heavily experimental. Excellent for the bleeding edge via their Album of the Week.

Bandcamp Daily ​

Bandcamp champions the obscure. Bandcamp Daily offers:

  • Features: Deep dives into scenes, artists, genres.
  • Album of the Day: Daily highlights.
  • Lists: Curated discovery treasure troves. (More on leveraging Bandcamp itself later!)

Music Newsletters ​

Many individual critics and curators run excellent, often niche-focused newsletters (e.g., via Substack). Examples include Ted Gioia's The Honest Broker or Shawn Reynaldo's First Floor (electronic). Searching for newsletters in your preferred genres can yield great results.

Influencers & Curators ​

Video reviews and curated channels offer engaging discovery pathways. It's helpful to understand the type of content creator:

  • Reviewers: Focus on critiquing new releases (e.g., Fantano).
  • Curators/Educators: Explore scenes, history, and connections (e.g., Deep Cuts, Derrick Gee).
  • Genre Specialists: Channels dedicated entirely to specific sounds (metal, folk, ambient, etc.).
  • Historians: Focus on the evolution and context of music.

Key Examples ​

Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop) ​

Anthony Fantano is polarizing but undeniably influential (NYT: "The Only Music Critic Who Matters (if You're Under 25)"). He covers a vast range (mainstream, alternative, indie) and has boosted many careers (Death Grips, Charli XCX, Young Fathers). A gateway for many into deeper listening.

Deep Cuts ​

Deep Cuts explores genres you've likely never encountered. Infrequent uploads, but highly influential (inspiring this guide via this video). Spotify profile: here.

Derrick Gee ​

Derrick Gee offers interviews (prominent artists), scene spotlights, and art/music commentary. Prefers the term "curator".

A Word of Caution

For every insightful curator, there are many focused on celebrity drama, feuds, or clout-chasing over insightful music discussion. Be selective; don't let controversy dictate your taste.

Online Communities & Platforms ​

The internet revolutionized discovery. Early forums and P2P networks (MySpace, Soulseek, even 4chan's /mu/) bypassed traditional gatekeepers, fostering underground scenes and influencing blogs like Pitchfork. Finding genuine, non-commercialized communities is harder now, but dedicated spaces persist.

Key Platforms & Communities ​

Rate Your Music (RYM) ​

Rate Your Music is the gold standard. User ratings, lists, and charts create a powerful, community-driven discovery engine. Browse the homepage or New Music section for highly-rated releases across countless genres. Excellent for finding consensus classics and current obsessions within niche communities.

Reddit ​

Subreddits remain valuable, especially for specific genres:

Finding Niche Forums ​

It's increasingly challenging, but dedicated forums for specific scenes still exist. Persistence pays off. Prioritize finding well-moderated communities.

Other Key Digital Platforms ​

SoundCloud ​

Still good, especially for electronic music, hip-hop (demos, leaks), remixes, and DJ mixes unavailable elsewhere. Its "Related Tracks" can be chaotic but sometimes more serendipitous than Spotify's.

Mixcloud ​

Focuses on long-form audio: DJ sets, radio shows, podcasts. Excellent for hearing tracks in context and discovering curators through their selections.

Bandcamp (Beyond Daily) ​

Leverage its features for deep discovery:

  • The Feed: Follow other users/fans with similar tastes to see their purchases and recommendations. A powerful social discovery tool.
  • Genre/Location Tags: Explore hyper-specific scenes (e.g., raw black metal Finland, lo-fi house Chicago, psychedelic cumbia Peru). Combine tags for specificity.
  • Label Pages: Follow labels directly to keep up with their entire roster and new releases.

Try This on Bandcamp

Pick an artist you like. Look at who they follow or what's in their collection (if public). Then, check the "Supporting" or "fans also bought" section on albums you enjoy to find related listeners and artists.

Radio: Curated Streams ​

Online radio, especially human-curated stations, offers a fantastic alternative to algorithmic playlists.

NTS Radio ​

Established 2011, NTS Radio is arguably one of the best online music sources globally. Countless shows hosted by artists, DJs, collectors across an unbelievable genre spectrum.

Key NTS Show Formats:

Example Hosts/Shows:

Listening to artists' mixes (like the old Black Midi Variety Hour) reveals their influences directly, like an audio version of Amoeba's "What's In My Bag?".

BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix ​

An institution in electronic dance music, the BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix has been hosted by Pete Tong since its debut on October 30, 1993. This weekly two-hour show provides an uninterrupted platform for a diverse range of DJs and producers, from global superstars to emerging talents, to showcase their unique sounds and track selections.

The Essential Mix quickly became a cornerstone for dance music fans worldwide, especially with the rise of internet streaming, allowing international audiences to tune in. Being invited to record an Essential Mix is widely regarded as a prestigious milestone in a DJ's career, often highlighting pivotal moments in musical trends and artists' development. The show covers a vast spectrum of electronic genres.

Here are some influential examples

⭐ Essential Mix of the Year, awarded annually by BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix team, recognising the best set broadcast that year. Awarded after 2003.
🤎 Personal favourite Essential Mix of mine. Highly recommended listening.

Artist(s)Genres They PlayYear(s)Claim to Fame / Notes
Pete TongHouse, Dance (Inaugural Mix)1993First Essential Mix
Andrew WeatherallEclectic Dance, Techno, Early 90s Electronica1993Early genre-defining mix
OrbitalLive Electronica, Techno1993Iconic live Essential Mix
🤎 Paul OakenfoldTrance, Goa Trance, Progressive House1994"The Goa Mix" — genre landmark
Richie HawtinMinimal Techno, Detroit Techno1994Early minimal techno influence
🤎 LTJ Bukem & MC ConradAtmospheric Drum & Bass, Intelligent Jungle1995, 1996Defining intelligent drum & bass
GoldieDrum & Bass, Jungle1996Genre pioneer
🤎 Daft PunkFrench House, House, Techno1997Iconic French house set
David HolmesFunk, Soul, Hip-Hop, Eclectic1997Genre-bending eclectic mix
Carl CoxTechno, House1998, 1999, 2002Multiple legendary sets including Millennium Eve
🤎 Sasha & John DigweedProgressive House, Trance2002Progressive house classics
DJ ShadowTrip-Hop, Turntablism, Abstract Hip-Hop2003Genre-bending and highly regarded
⭐ High ContrastDrum & Bass2003, 2007Award-winning drum & bass sets
⭐ Above & BeyondTrance, Progressive Trance2004, 2011Trance anthems and fan favourites
Four TetExperimental, House, UK Bass2010, 2018Genre-crossing innovative mixes
🤎 Jamie xxUK Bass, Indie Electronica, Garage2011Critically acclaimed
🤎 Nicolas JaarExperimental Electronic, Ambient, House2012Atmospheric, genre-bending
Eric PrydzProgressive House, Pryda vs Cirez D Special2013Fan favourite with unique format
BonoboDowntempo, Organic House, Electronica2014Organic electronica favourite
The AvalanchesPlunderphonics, Sampledelic, Eclectic2016Unique sample-heavy eclectic mix
⭐ MidlandHouse, Techno, Disco2016Essential Mix of the Year
⭐ Helena HauffElectro, Techno, Industrial2017Underground and industrial edge
BicepHouse, Techno, Breakbeat2017Modern classics
⭐ HAAiPsychedelic Techno, Global Bass2018Critically acclaimed, fresh sound
🤎 Kerri ChandlerDeep House, Garage, Soulful House2019Classic deep house masterclass
⭐🤎 SherelleFootwork, Jungle, 160 BPM+ Bass Music2020High-energy, cutting-edge bass
CaribouIndie Dance, House, Techno2020Eclectic, melodic, critically acclaimed

(Note: Many artists have multiple acclaimed Essential Mixes across different years, and genres played can be very diverse within a single mix. This table offers a snapshot of some highly regarded contributions.)

SomaFM ​

SomaFM (founded 2000) is listener-funded, largely ad-free online radio. Multiple channels for specific electronic and alternative niches. Favourites include Drone Zone and Groove Salad.

Here are its channels (as of early 2024):

ChannelGenre/ThemeYear Added
Drone ZoneDrone2000
Groove SaladDowntempo/Chillout2000
Secret AgentLounge/Jazz with a 1960s spy theme2000
Indie Pop Rocks!Indie Pop/Indie Rock2002
cliqhop idmIntelligent Dance Music2002
Beat BlenderHouse/Downtempo/Chillout2002
Boot LiquorAmericana2003
Tag's TripClassic Trance/Progressive Trance2004
Xmas in FriskoEclectic Christmas-themed music (Seasonal)2005
Space Station SomaAmbient Space Music2006
Illinois Street LoungeLounge Music2006
DoomedIndustrial/Dark Ambient2006
Sonic UniverseAvant-garde Jazz2008
LushFemale-driven Vocal Downtempo2008
DigitalisSelf-produced Indie Rock and Electronic Music2008
Suburbs of GoaDesi/Arabic-influenced Worldbeat2008
Underground 80sEarly 80s British Synthpop and New Wave2008
Christmas LoungeChristmas-themed Lounge Music2008
Mission ControlAmbient Music mixed with NASA Mission Broadcasts2009
PopTronElectropop/Dance-rock2009
CoversCover Songs2009
Black Rock FMBurning Man Festival Broadcast2010
South by SomaMusic by artists from the SXSW Festival2012
SF 10–33Ambient Music with San Francisco Public Safety Radio2012
Dub Step BeyondDubstep and Bass-driven Electronic Music2012
Folk ForwardIndie Folk, Alternative Folk2012
Christmas Rocks!Christmas-themed Indie/Alternative Rock2012
DEF CON RadioMusic from DEF CON's Chill Room2013
Iceland AirwavesMusic by artists from the Iceland Airwaves Festival2013
Deep Space OneDeep Ambient Electronic and Space Music2013
Seven Inch SoulClassic Soul Music2014
Left Coast 70sMellow Album-oriented Rock from the 1970s2015
FluidInstrumental Hip Hop/Future Soul/Liquid Trap2015
ThistleRadioCeltic Music2015
Metal DetectorHeavy Metal2015
Jolly Ol' SoulChristmas-themed Soul Music2015
SomaFM LiveLive Music Broadcasts2015
Groove Salad ClassicEarly 2000s Downtempo/Chillout2019
Department Store XmasChristmas-themed Beautiful Music2019
Heavyweight ReggaeReggae, Dub, Ska, and Rocksteady2020
VaporwavesVaporwave2020
n5MD RadioMusic from the n5MD Label2020
SynphaeraModern Electronic Ambient and Space Music2021
The In-Sound1960s & 1970s Euro-Pop2023
Tiki TimeExotica2023
Bossa BeyondBossa Nova & Samba2023
ChillitsRecordings from Chillits Performances2024

Community & College Radio ​

Often streamable online, stations like WFMU or KEXP (though KEXP is quite large now) are fiercely independent, championing local scenes and non-mainstream sounds. Explore stations local to you or known for specific genres. Online radio archives can also unearth historical shows and trends.

The Physical Realm: Real-World Discovery ​

Don't underestimate the power of offline discovery!

Record Stores ​

More than just shops, they are curated spaces:

  • Browsing Serendipity: Flipping through bins can lead to unexpected finds.
  • Staff Picks & Knowledge: Engage with staff! They are often passionate curators with deep knowledge.
  • In-Store Events & Flyers: Discover local bands, labels, and shows.
  • Used Sections: Unearth forgotten gems, explore related artists cheaply, trace influences.

Pro-Tip for Record Stores

Don't be afraid to ask staff, "I like [Artist X] and [Artist Y], what else might I enjoy?" They often have fantastic, personalized recommendations.

Live Music ​

Experiencing music live is crucial:

  • Opening Acts: One of the best ways to find new artists aligned with your tastes, often local or up-and-coming. Pay attention!
  • Venue Curation: Certain venues consistently book specific genres or scenes. Follow their calendars.
  • Niche Festivals: While large festivals can be generic, genre-specific (metal, folk, electronic), experimental, or local festivals are discovery goldmines.
  • Community: Talk to other fans, merch sellers, even musicians at shows. Share recommendations.

Libraries ​

Often overlooked resources:

  • CD/Vinyl Collections: Can hold surprising depth, including local music.
  • Music Magazines (Archives): Read historical perspectives and discover past scenes.
  • Local Music Archives: Some libraries document regional music history.

Following the Trail: Credits, Collaborators, Samples, and History ​

Artists rarely exist in isolation. Explore their networks:

  • Guest Features & Collaborations: Check out the solo work of guest artists on tracks you enjoy. Common in hip-hop, R&B, electronic music.
  • Sampling Culture: Use WhoSampled or Samplette to identify original source material in hip-hop, electronic, plunderphonics, etc. This leads back to classic soul, funk, jazz, rock, library music, and more.
  • Producers & Engineers: Note who produced/engineered albums you love (Rick Rubin, Brian Eno, Sylvia Massy, Steve Albini, Madlib, Nigel Godrich). Explore their other work; their signature sound can guide you.
  • Associated Acts & Side Projects: Musicians often have multiple bands or solo projects. Explore the full web of connections.
  • Read the Liner Notes! Physical (or digital booklet) liner notes contain gold:
    • Thank You Lists: Often mention influences, friends' bands, or supportive labels.
    • Detailed Personnel: Discover influential session musicians (drummers, bassists, keyboardists) and check their other work.
    • Recording Info: Studios known for specific scenes or sounds.
  • Use Discogs: While RYM is great for ratings/lists, Discogs is the ultimate database. Explore:
    • Complete Label Discographies: Visually browse a label's entire output.
    • Artist Credits: See everything a specific musician, producer, or engineer has worked on.
    • Versions/Pressings: Find different mixes or bonus tracks.
    • Forums: Niche discussions on collecting and specific releases.
  • Understand Music History: Briefly learning how genres evolve and influence each other (e.g., post-punk's debt to dub and krautrock) provides context and opens pathways to related sounds.

Why Record Labels Have Niches ​

While major labels (Sony, Universal, Warner) sign broadly, independent labels often reflect a specific curatorial vision. Exploring a label whose key artists you admire is highly effective. Check the label's own website or Bandcamp page for curated stores, news, and direct artist links. Specialized Distributors (like Forced Exposure, Boomkat) can also be discovery points via their curated selections.

Examples of Labels with Strong Identities:

Beyond the Algorithm: The Importance of Curation ​

Finding trusted tastemakers – whether individuals (Fantano, Derrick Gee, NTS DJs), publications (The Wire, Bandcamp Daily), labels (Kranky, Warp), or even knowledgeable friends – is crucial. Relying solely on algorithms risks homogenizing your taste.

Understanding Algorithmic Limitations (e.g., Spotify, YouTube Music) ​

Platforms prioritize engagement and retention, often optimizing for passive background listening rather than active, deep discovery. While tools like Spotify's "Fans Also Like," "Related Artists," or Last.fm scrobbling can offer starting points if used actively and critically, they shouldn't be your primary engine. Treat algorithmic suggestions as potential leads to investigate further, not definitive recommendations.

Liz Pelly's book, Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of a Perfect Playlist, highlights significant concerns:

Note

Anthony Fantano interviewed Liz Pelly about her book here.

  1. Profit Over Artistry: Spotify's model arguably devalues music, prioritizing passive listener acquisition over discovery or fair artist compensation.
  2. Unfair Royalty System: The pro-rata model benefits mega-stars disproportionately, hurting smaller artists.
  3. Homogenization: Algorithmic playlists often favor unobtrusive, "mood-based" music ("Spotifycore"), potentially discouraging diversity and risk-taking.
  4. Pressure on Musicians: Tools like Spotify for Artists can incentivize tailoring music to algorithms, potentially compromising artistic vision.
  5. "Fake Artists" / Stock Music: Playlists sometimes feature generic tracks ("Perfect Fit Content"), reducing transparency and displacing real artists.
  6. AI-Generated Music: Spotify's AI explorations point towards more automated, potentially artist-less, background music.

Context: While Pelly's book was released Jan 2025, concerns existed earlier. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek sold significant stock ($199.7 million) in late 2023/early 2024.

Every Noise vs. Spotify Playlists: Map vs. Filter ​

What is Every Noise at Once? ​

Every Noise at Once is (or was) a fascinating algorithmic map of musical genres by Glenn McDonald (ex-Spotify, but not involved in playlisting). It organizes genres by acoustic similarity and data analysis, not popularity or editorial curation.

It functions like a vast sound map where related genres cluster. Explore hyper-specific microgenres, regional scenes, and obscure pathways globally.

Note

Glenn McDonald lost access to Spotify's internal data in 2024. Every Noise no longer receives real-time updates. However, the existing map remains an incredible historical snapshot and structural exploration tool. You can explore the last snapshot of New Music by Genre here.

What Do Intro, Playlist, Pulse, and Edge Mean? (Based on pre-2024 data) ​

Clicking a genre typically offered these options:

  1. Intro ▶️

    "What does this genre basically sound like?"

    • Short, raw audio sample of the genre's core sound.
    • Best for: Quick first impressions.

  2. Playlist 🎵

    "Give me a full playlist of this genre."

    • Dynamically generated Spotify playlist based purely on the data cluster. Not hand-curated.
    • Best for: Immersing yourself in a specific data-defined sound.

  3. Pulse ❤️ (Historical Data)

    "What was recently active/trending within this genre?"

    • Used to show songs recently listened to by fans of that genre.
    • Best for: (Historically) Finding what was current in a micro-community.

  4. Edge ⚡

    "Show me the weirdest/most distinctive tracks at the fringes of this genre."

    • Outlier tracks stretching the definition—often experimental or hybrid.
    • Best for: Discovering unconventional variations, seeing genre boundaries.

Summary Table (Based on data up to 2024) ​

FeatureWhat It DoesBest For
IntroShort audio sample of the genre's core soundQuick first impressions
PlaylistFull Spotify playlist from the data clusterDeep diving into a sound
Pulse(Historically) Trending songs within the sceneFinding contemporary buzz
EdgeOutlier, experimental songs near the genre edgeDiscovering unique variations

How Every Noise Differs From Standard Spotify Playlists ​

Every Noise (Historical)Standard Spotify Playlists
Mapped by acoustic similarityCurated by engagement & branding
Reveals niche, obscure, regional genresFocuses on broad, generic moods
Ignores marketabilityOptimized for low-skip, passive listening
Built for exploration & understandingBuilt for retention & background use
Leads to subcultures & diversityCan lead to homogeneity & sameness

The Core Difference: Map vs. Filter ​

Spotify Playlists often act as Filters:

  • Flatten genre distinctions into moods.
  • Reduce friction for easy, passive listening.
  • Maximize playtime for background consumption.
  • Simplify the music landscape.

Every Noise acts as a Map:

  • Expands and details genre relationships and nuances.
  • Increases friction by presenting complexity and obscurity.
  • Maximizes curiosity and active seeking.
  • Reveals the complexity of the music landscape.

Why This Matters ​

Standard Spotify playlists frequently collapse distinct genres into vague categories: chill vibes, focus flow, feel good indie, workout beats. This strips away cultural context, regional specificity, and stylistic nuance for mass consumption.

Every Noise, conversely, explodes genre into thousands of specific categories, many rooted in culture or geography: Deep Discofox, German Cloud Rap, Brazilian Death Metal, Vapor Twitch, Scottish Jazz, Italo Body Music. These are sounds you'd likely never find in an official Spotify playlist because they aren't optimized for broad, passive appeal.

In essence

Every Noise revealed the messy, intricate, diverse reality of global music culture. Standard Spotify Playlists often present a smoothed-out, marketable, simplified version. Understanding this difference is key to breaking free from algorithmic bubbles.

Keeping Track & Broadening Horizons ​

As you discover new music, find a system that works for you to keep track of artists, albums, and songs you want to explore further. This could be:

  • Dedicated playlists on your streaming service.
  • Using platforms like RateYourMusic or Last.fm to log listens and build lists.
  • A simple spreadsheet or a physical notebook.

Don't forget to consciously explore music from different cultures and in different languages. Many of the resources above (like NTS Radio, Bandcamp tags, and dedicated communities) are excellent gateways to incredible non-Anglophone music scenes. The world of music is vast and wonderfully diverse!

Final Thought

True music discovery is an active, rewarding pursuit. Be patient, follow your curiosity down rabbit holes, and engage with human curators – journalists, DJs, record store clerks, fellow fans, librarians, and the artists themselves. As AI automates more, consciously choosing human-centered discovery and supporting artists directly (e.g., via Bandcamp, merch, shows) becomes even more vital for a rich and diverse musical life. Remember the human touch.

For insights into streaming royalties, see this companion guide: Music Streaming Royalties Comparison

I collate all the information for my guides from around the internet, but sometimes use AI for it's formatting.

If you feel that there are errors (or you just want to give general feedback), please feel free to reach out.
💬Discord: danxyz7