Struggling to find new music in a world of infinite choice? You’re not alone. With so many genres, platforms, and trends, discovering fresh sounds can feel overwhelming. But the good news is: there’s never been a better time to explore.
Whether you’re a music lover, DJ, or radio host, this guide breaks down how to find new music in meaningful, enjoyable ways — from online platforms and record stores to communities and apps.
Table of contents
- Why finding new music matters
- Online retailers
- Record labels
- Record stores
- Streaming services
- Radio
- DJ sets
- Live shows
- Social media
- Online forums
- Music books and magazines
- Music apps
- Music industry events
- Wider music communities
- Royalty free music websites
Why finding new music matters
Music discovery isn’t a race. It’s a personal, evolving journey. As you explore and collect sounds that resonate, you also sharpen your taste and connect more deeply with the culture around music.
Online retailers
Despite streaming services dominating the ways we listen to music these days, buying music that you own outright is still favorable among music heads. Not only do you have music to call your own, but you make sure that artists who put their hard work into creating it are adequately compensated.
There are many online retailers that you can rely on. Bandcamp has changed the game when it comes to buying music. A platform advocating for independent artists, they genuinely care about the well-being of artists and nurture the larger music ecosystem they belong to. Their Bandcamp Fridays initiative sees them waive their fees and all the money made via sales goes directly to the artist.
iTunes has one of the biggest, most comprehensive catalogs so it’s a great place to find classic hits and mainstream music. Beatport is a top music retailer for all things electronic music. They have a very carefully curated selection of underground electronic genres. Boomkat Limited has also been in the game for a while. As a specialist and independent online record store trading since 1998, they specialize in vinyl, cassettes and MP3s. Plus, they go to the effort to write an original review for everything they sell! Juno is an established and popular dance music retailer, selling vinyl albums, CDs, and digital downloads. Discogs has also built a reputation as an expert music database and marketplace for every sound you can think of.
If you’re a DJ, you might benefit from checking out platforms such as DJ City and Traxsource. DJ City is a subscription-based digital library for DJs, delivering thousands of new tunes every day. Traxsource is an online store that specializes in electronic music. It delivers everything from Soulful House and Techno to Broken Beat and Lounge.
Record labels
Record labels are still a great look into what’s new and current in music. The artists they work with will reflect a range of different vibes and tones. Keep an eye on what your favorite labels are up to and what their release schedule looks like. See if they’ve signed new artists that you may not have heard of. Or, if their talent is collaborating with other artists. Look at your favorite songs and see which labels released them. Follow them on social media for all of their updates.
If you’re a DJ or host a radio show, labels may have mailing or promo lists where you receive news about their artists and maybe even new music. Platforms like InFlyte work with labels and PR agencies around the world to provide promo lists for its customers and news about label releases. Sign up to these lists to stay updated on new releases, news about events and other music-related matters. You might even discover labels you weren’t aware of. You could also get in touch with radio pluggers, who promote music by getting it played on the radio. Follow them online and ask to be put into their lists for when they have new music to share to their network. Ultimately, you’re valuable to them because you want to share the music they’re promoting, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Record stores
There is arguably nothing that beats a trip to the record store. A place where you can feel records in the palm of your hand, get a close view of artwork, sleeves and liner notes. Where you can find music from multiple genres, crate dig and get a feel of what you’re looking for. Luckily there are hundreds of thousands of independent record stores across the world. Check out this article for just a few of them.
When you get to a store, strike up a conversation with the employees. Let them know what you might be after and they’ll be happy to guide you towards new sounds. Talk to other crate diggers and find out their tastes, they could introduce you to something new. Not only do you find new digs, but you begin to liaise with like-minded fans of music. Record stores can be a great guide for listeners, DJs and producers searching for obscure samples for their own work.
Streaming services
Streaming music is the new normal in the music world and you’re spoilt for choice on that front. Mixcloud champions music lovers, and we’ve created an environment where every genre, scene and grassroot movement can thrive without fighting algorithms. Millions of creators, curators and cultural tastemakers from around the world are using our platform to share music and form meaningful connections. We aim to aid discovery and recognize over 1000 genre tags in our database. 400+ of these have dedicated weekly charts, meaning there are infinite possibilities for discovering new music and finding undiscovered sound. Whether it’s Melbourne Bounce, Eurodance or Outlaw Country, Mixcloud shines a light on all things music.
Radio
Radio has long been a reliable source for finding music. Each FM or online station will have a unique quality to it. Hosts and DJs bring different tastes and approaches to showcasing sounds. Some might have segments dedicated to introducing new tunes, while others play music in the middle of a mix. Pay attention when listening because you never know what you might find! Specialist radio stations like NTS Radio, dublab, Foundation FM, Centreforce and Headstream are amazing sources for discovery. Each has extensive programming that explores multiple genres and musical movements. Many of these stations have a home on Mixcloud and we are a platform used as an online hub.
DJ sets
DJs can be a wonderful source of new music. Before the internet and streaming services, many DJs broke new music to wider audiences, and they still bear that influence. If you’re on a night out or at home listening to the radio, paying attention to the tunes they’re spinning can lead to more discoveries. They can plug you to something you may not have found yourself. Think of DJs like Joe Kay of Soulection, consistently playing edits of House, Hip Hop and other genres. Or specialist sets showcasing the popularity of sounds like City Pop by spinners like DJ Notoya.
DJs can open up a world of music you’re unfamiliar with. Finding curators whose taste you trust gives you a human element of discovery that algorithms don’t. Find and follow your favorite DJs on social media and DJ platforms like Mixcloud. See what they listen to and who they follow, then check out those creators. Keep note of their tastes and interests , especially as they grow and expand.
Live shows
If you want a music experience to stay with you, there’s arguably no better way than going to a live concert. There’s always a great chance of discovering a new artist. You may be going to see your favorite artist and they may have a support act you’ve never heard of. Or going to festivals that focus on young and emerging artists like The Great Escape in the UK or SXSW in the USA can put a lot of new music in your face.
Watch live streamed events and DJ sets if you can’t physically make it to shows. Mixcloud Live, the world’s first music focused, licensed live streaming platform, enables you to tap into streams from creators around the globe. Our live chat feature allows you to talk to other viewers, get music tips and the names of tracks played in real time. That way, you have access to a range of new tunes and a community championing the music you find.
It’s also worth considering hitting up specialist club nights that focus on a particular sound/genre. Platforms like Jazz re:freshed offer an insight into the past, present and future of jazz music organically and authentically. There are also several nights dedicated to particular vibes across the world. Club Quarantine (Hyperpop), Dankie Sounds (Amapiano) and Rupture (Jungle) that can be your springboard. Even if you’ve not yet got round to listening to the music, live events can really bring it to life.
Social media
Social media has the power to make a song go viral. But outside of the big hits, it’s still a powerful source. TikTok is fertile ground for music discovery whether you hear something you like as you’re scrolling or following an artist who might interest you. Its algorithm can be worked in your favor. When you engage with accounts and add their music to your collection, you’ll be fed similar accounts and content.
For example, if you know you want to find new Jazz music, following profiles that push Jazz will affect your algorithm to the point that, the next time you log in, you’ll be shown more accounts to follow that have a similar vibe and aesthetic. The same can be applied to platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, which opens up the chance of finding more music you weren’t aware of. On top of this, follow your favorite artists, DJs, producers, music curators and journalists on social media and let them put you onto what they’re listening to.
Online forums
Internet forums have been integral to the birth and development of several modern sounds. Think of Grime, which could rely on the RWD forum for the latest freestyles and DVDs in the mid 2000s. Or Okayplayer where underground Hip-Hop fans connected in the late 1990s. Sharing an online space with like-minded music lovers will enable knowledge and new music to be exchanged. That way, not only do you find something different but you also build a community in the process.
Check out a platform like 1001 Tracklists, a blog and online forum which is the world’s leading DJ tracklist database. Users can find over 250,000 official tracklists to date for major festivals, radio shows, DJ sets, podcasts and promo mixes. As well as charts that reflect the music most played by DJs around the world. Users can actively submit and edit tracklists, used by artists and fans alike to discover music and trends. Elsewhere, Rate Your Music has tracked the catalogs of nearly two million artists over the years. Its a powerful tool for discovery. If you’re a DJ looking for inspiration or a music fanatic out for new sets to dig into, forums can help you along your way.
Music books and magazines
Music literature and journalism are a great gateway. Dedicated publications will showcase artists of all kinds to allow you to make an informed decision about whose music to listen to. Magazines like NME, Pitchfork, Resident Advisor, Crack Magazine and Disco Pogo hold a lot of weight in music journalism. They’re well known for breaking musicians and genres. Browse their websites for daily doses of discovery. Elsewhere, books like Bill Brewster’s Last Night A DJ Saved My Life, Emma Warren’s Dance Your Way Home and Greg Wilson’s Discotheque Archives are brilliant books opening the doors not only to music but the cultures in which music has thrived.
Music podcasts
If you’re looking to find new artists, listening to music commentary is a great option. This is where music podcasts come into play. They give in-depth analysis on songs and albums. Think of Dissect, which explores an album every season, breaking down each track per episode. For listeners who are already fans of the music, they could earn fresh perspectives on what they’re listening to. Meanwhile, others can be introduced to an altogether new vibe. Find podcasts that break down albums and songs and you might find samples and references pointing you to new sounds. Make a start with shows like Billboard Music Now, Popcast, Rolling Stone Music Now and All Songs Considered. They give you a regular dose of what’s new and current in music.
Music apps
Technology has made it easy to discover that unnamed earworm that’s been bothering you for days, weeks and maybe even years. The track you know the words to, but not the title. Music discovery apps are now very common, and Shazam is probably the most recognizable. In just a few seconds it can tell you the name of your new favorite song. Then, you can save it to your library for future listening. For an altogether different experience, last.fm gives you live updates of which artists are trending worldwide. It tracks your listening habits to suggest similar artists to your favorites.
Music industry events
If going to live shows isn’t your thing, music industry events can place you in good stead to discover. Things like panel talks and discussions with artists and listening parties can help widen your palette. They let you dig into what an artist likes and spark discussion with fellow event goers about their tastes. Chances are there could be some overlap. Create.Define.Release. (CDR) hosts free music production masterclasses and talks with the likes of Theo Parrish, Roska and Floating Points. Checking out the producers of the future could be a great entry point into new music.
Wider music communities
Joining a community for local or regional music is an excellent way to find new music and connect with like-minded individuals who share your love of music. Many communities offer regular events and shows that showcase up-and-coming artists. This allows you to experience their unique sound in an intimate setting. Platforms like Discord – where users can instantly communicate with each other and join wider online groups – have earned a reputation for enabling discovery and users finding spaces to build relationships.
Royalty free music websites
If you’re a DJ, radio host or podcaster and want to create content with music but don’t own the copyright of the songs you want to use, you’re in luck thanks to royalty free music websites. These are for tracks that have been created for use in media without needing to pay royalties to artists or rights holders every time it’s played. You will have heard royalty free music throughout TV, film and other mediums and not even known it! There are hundreds of sites out there, tailor made for specific genres and moods. The possibilities of finding new music are endless. Sites like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Shutterstock and Uppbeat are a good start. If you’re a producer looking for samples for your next tune, Splice has you covered. It’s extensive royalty-free music library allows you to utilize thousands of sounds.
It’s all about the journey
The best way to find new music is to stay curious and explore your own taste without pressure. The journey is personal — and it’s richer when shared. Whether you’re digging through crates, discovering a DJ on Mixcloud, or joining a music Discord server, every find helps shape your unique sound world.