How do you discover new music?

Breaking Out of the 1995 Playlist: How to Discover Great New Music

One thing I’ve genuinely struggled with as I’ve got older is finding cool, inspiring new music to listen to. It’s an incredibly common trap to fall into. Once you hit a certain age, your favorite teenage albums become a cozy comfort zone, and active music discovery falls by the wayside.

Our local radio landscape doesn't make things any easier. Most commercial stations are stuck in an infinite loop, playing the exact same rock and pop tracks they had on heavy rotation back in 1995. On the flip side, stations like Triple J do an amazing job supporting independent art, but their programming is explicitly targeted toward the 16-to-25 demographic. If you fall outside that bracket, finding fresh tunes that truly resonate can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Discovering NPR's 'All Songs Considered'

That frustrating search is exactly why I was so happy when I stumbled across NPR’s All Songs Considered. I initially discovered National Public Radio (the American public broadcaster that syndicates across more than 1,000 public radio stations in the United States) through a friend’s recommendation for one of their science podcasts. It didn't take long before I wandered over to their music editorial desk, and I haven't looked back since.

Over the last few years, I’ve fallen completely in love with their New Music Friday show. It’s a tight, half-hour digest highlighting the absolute best albums and singles hitting streaming services each week. The sheer breadth of curation they pull off is exceptional. While they aren't afraid to showcase big global pop releases from icons like Ed Sheeran, their real magic lies in introducing listeners to brilliant, under-the-radar talent across country, rock, hip-hop, instrumental, jazz, alternative, and dance music.

If you're feeling uninspired by your current music rotation, I highly recommend adding this show into your weekly routine. You can listen directly to the latest episodes or browse their massive archive via the NPR All Songs Considered Hub.

🎵 Looking for something new right now? You can check out my own original tracks and instrumental work over on my Music Page.