Our critics’ best advice for how to discover new music
Nov 8, 2024
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Ludo Hunter-Tilney, FT's pop critic known for his insightful music reviews, and Arwa Haider, a talented music and culture writer, share their expert advice on discovering new music. They discuss the struggle against algorithm-driven uniformity and emphasize personal curation and human connections. The duo showcases emerging artists, sparks conversations between generations, and highlights sustainable initiatives in the music industry. Expect fresh recommendations and tips to enhance your listening journey!
To break free from algorithmic recommendations, listeners should adopt conscious listening practices to explore diverse musical experiences.
Human curation of playlists and personal music sharing fosters deeper connections and enriches the overall music listening experience.
Deep dives
The Paradox of Plenty in Music Discovery
The overwhelming abundance of music available today creates a paradox where listeners feel their tastes have narrowed rather than expanded. While there is access to an immense variety of genres and artists from around the world, algorithms often channel listeners into a limited selection of familiar songs, hindering exploration. Critics express that this tendency to consume based on algorithmic recommendations results in a laziness among listeners, leading them to miss out on diverse musical experiences. Consequently, there's a growing need for conscious listening practices to break out of these artificial boundaries and embrace a wider range of musical options.
The Importance of Human Curation
Amidst the digital landscape, there is a critical need for human curation in music discovery, contrasting the often impersonal recommendations provided by algorithms. Personal playlists, curated by friends or music aficionados, can foster deeper connections to music and facilitate a more enjoyable listening experience. Sharing music through personalized mixtapes and playlists creates a sense of community and encourages genuine engagement with new artists. The discussion emphasizes that human curation not only enriches the listening experience but also acts as a form of care, helping audiences better understand and appreciate the music they encounter.
Encouraging Individual and Collective Music Experiences
Listeners are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with music artists by actively seeking out their live performances and exploring related music scenes. In the current era, it is easier than ever to engage with an artist's work through social media and digital platforms, making it vital for fans to go beyond passive listening and seek deeper connections. The conversation highlights the significance of intergenerational dialogues about music, where different age groups can share and rediscover their musical roots. This collaborative spirit serves to bridge gaps and enhance collective appreciation of music as both an individual and shared experience.
Today, we explore how to discover new music. Despite having access to more music than ever before, many of us are still falling back on the same old stuff. The algorithms may be pushing us toward uniformity, but how do we break out of the echo chamber? FT pop critic Ludo Hunter-Tilney and music and culture writer Arwa Haider join Lilah to share advice for finding new artists, and recommend new music that they love.
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We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap. We’re on X @lifeandartpod and on email at lifeandart@ft.com. We are grateful for reviews on Apple and Spotify. And please share this episode with your friends!