It’s a tale as old as Spotify – bound and weary, you scroll through playlist after playlist, none of which match your current mood. Whether you’re looking for some mellow jazz to relax to, or the perfect school disco bangers for pres, nothing seems to hit the way you want it to. It’s a 21st-century tragedy we here at Varsity Music want to rectify. Here are some tried and tested methods that will (hopefully!) open you up to some new tunes.

Physical media is back, baby!

I get it, trying to find something new on a streaming platform can be overwhelming. So much music and so little time! Instead, let’s take things a bit retro. This may be your grandparents’ method, but it’s classic for a reason. If you’re really in a listening slump, now’s the time to release your inhibitions and get yourself to a record store. These are collections of music hand-picked by real people, not algorithms, and there’s a lot to be said for physically interacting with the albums you listen to. Charity shops are a shout here, too – you’d be amazed at the gems you can find hidden between old Simon and Garfunkel CDs. This method doesn’t even require a record player – feel free to note down any interesting albums you stumble across, and give them a stream later.

“There’s a lot to be said for physically interacting with the albums you listen to”

Spotify mixes

This one is a big basic, I’ll admit, and can be very hit-or-miss. If you’re not already in the know, Spotify generates each user several mixes daily, full of songs you already love, and others it reckons you might. Admittedly, they can veer a little generic, and you’ll rarely be offered songs that aren’t already hits. I find the Spotify daylists to be more rewarding, and have unearthed several gems through dedicated shuffle-playing. Top tip: the more ruthless you are with your skips, the more accurate the algorithm will become. This is the lazy girl method for finding new music, less polished but undeniably easy.

Try different countries and languages

If that’s too bland, try leaving Britain behind and pair your favourite genre with different countries: Argentinian folk, Romanian rock, Cuban hip-hop – the world’s your oyster! It’s an easy way to diversify your listening, and can expose you to some super cool artists you’d never have heard of otherwise.

A cheeky stalk

This is the good stuff. We all know someone with a mild addiction to Instagram stories, who accompanies every photo with a song. To some, this may be annoying, but if they have good taste, this is the perfect way to glean a few recs. Of course, a simpler step would be asking them for song recommendations, but where’s the fun in that? On this, I’d recommend finding a few streaming influencers. Take a look at your friends’ following, find someone with a few funky-looking playlists, and give them a listen! There’s no harm in it, and I imagine they’d take great pleasure knowing they’re influencing your music tastes.

Varsity playlists

Bit of a shameless self-plug here, sue us! We put in the hard work, painstakingly creating the perfect playlists for your listening pleasure – why not give it a bit of promo? Throughout Lent, we’ve curated soundtracks to Halfway Hall and Var-lentines, and with our new Easter Break mix, you’re sure to find a few songs to add to your circulation. That’s @musicvarsity on Spotify. We spoil you, we really do.

Your favourite artist’s favourite artists

Believe it or not, before your favourite musicians became the polished performers you know and love, they were fans like you – and most likely, they still are! Check out their interviews and take a scroll through their socials because chances are you’ll find some interesting and niche artists. An added bonus here is that you’ll start to form a clearer picture of your favourite artist and hear echoes of their listening history in your favourite songs.

“Even if you don’t like the music, you’ve had a fun night out”

Go to gigs!

I know, wild bit of advice from a Music editor here. Hopefully this is a ‘duh! ’ moment, but believe it or not, you don’t need to have memorised all of an artist’s songs to see them perform. Check out what’s on at local venues, spontaneously book tickets to a gig at the Portland Arms, or rock up to jazz nights in Clare Cellars. If a mate offers you a spare ticket, say yes and give it a go! What’s the worst-case scenario? Even if you don’t like the music, you’ve had a fun night out. Truly win-win.

Finding new music can be intense, so hopefully this list has offered a bit of clarity, and you’ll be well on your way to finding some new favourites. It’s important to branch out and, on occasion, step outside of your musical comfort zone – you’ll thank me later.

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