I have waxed lyrical previously about why I am moving away from Spotify. I find it shoehorns me into categories and promotes the same artists and albums over and over again. It has become glaringly obvious that I will never find anything fresh using the various streaming platforms. They're far too funded by labels to ever be truly original. So, I have regressed to older methods to find my fresh new music, far from the sponsored algorithmic hell of Spotify.
Videos by Wide Open Country
These are the five methods I still find reliably turn up new music. If I want something to listen to that is completely fresh, then I head here. Of course, I love my familiar favorites, but sometimes I need something 'out there'.
Spotify Killed The Radio Star
For a while, when I started using digital music, originally on my old reliable iPod classic and then later through streaming, I stopped listening to the radio. This was a mistake.
There are so many wonderful radio stations out there that cater to every genre of music imaginable. Not only are they handcrafted to an audience, but they regularly feature things you'll never have heard before. Whether it is new music releases or just some lesser-known banger, radio stations are a wonderful source of new music without the algorithm.
Stations To Try
- NTS - A huge variety of music, features, interviews, and more for every genre under the sun.
- FIP - A decent selection of genres from a French station. Their music selection is a blend of cherished classics and stuff you never knew you would fall in love with.
- BBC Radio 6 - You can pick this up on their website. The DJs are all icons in their scene and will bring a world of new music into your life.
The Written Word
There is still a lot to be said for music journalism. Anyone who grew up before the 2000s will remember their favorite music magazine. Names like Rolling Stone, Variety, and Mojo are giants in the journalism industry.
Well, the music journalist didn't die with the end of print magazines. We're still out here. If you're looking for new music without the algorithm, find yourself an outlet and subscribe. Music journalism, as long as it isn't on a sellout site, still has plenty of integrity. And you're reading the opinions of someone truly embedded in the music scene.
I would recommend giving our weekly country roundups a read for some of the genre's fresh talent and new releases.
Become Influenced
The term 'influencer' has so many disgusting connotations. It brings to mind people who demand free meals on pain of leaving bad restaurant reviews to their 5k followers. But they can also be a force for good. They're not all tanned, toned, supplement pushers.
There are plenty of influencers out there who make their living by discovering new music and bringing it to the world. Whether it's country music on TikTok or Hip Hop on Instagram, there is a music influencer out there for you. They work by introducing people to music they will fall in love with without the limiting algorithm.
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But you should.
A lot of labels will stick to a certain sound or genre so finding one you like is a great way to discover new music without a Spotify algorithm. Take Broken Bow Records, for instance. They are a primarily country music label and support many established artists as well as up and comers in the genre.
If you're looking for something that is considered good enough to press but might be just emerging, check out your favourite label.
To start, find your favourite band, look who published them, and see what else is in their catalogue. Crate digging is one of the nicest ways to spend an afternoon.
I find the same goes for books, too.
Find Likeminded Lurkers
Now, I would rarely recommend Reddit for anything at all. It is full of sweaty neckbeards who haven't left their mother's basements since they moved in there at the age of 16 and yet still feel entitled to hand out advice and opinion. Nothing in the world is more demoralizing and depressing than the sludge that pours out of Reddit. But there are a few forums out there that aren't completely toxic.
Facebook often has great communities for new music, promoting local gigs and events. You could also try out Pulse for their new music charts and other discussions. Finding an online community on a forum works as a place for discussions and discovery.
