How do I discover new music that actually fits my taste?

Source: Dev.to

If you keep getting recommendations that feel “close but not quite,” the issue usually isn’t your taste. It’s the way discovery tools are built: they optimize for what most people like, not for what you consistently return to.

Map your taste using behavior, not genres

Genres are too broad. Build your “taste map” from what you actually do.

1. Pick 10 songs you’ve replayed a lot in the last 6 months.
2. For each song, note:
   • Why you replay it (lyrics, mood, vocals, drums, honesty, softness, darkness, etc.)
   • When you play it (late night, gym, commuting, after an argument, during focus)
   • How it’s sung (soft, aggressive, breathy, clean, falsetto, spoken)

This gives you a clearer target than “I like R&B.”

Use the right discovery moves inside Spotify

A simple workflow that works better than editorial playlists:

1. Go to a song you love → Song Radio.
2. Open 5–10 tracks that feel close.
3. Save only the ones you’d replay.
4. Repeat the process from those new tracks.

Pro tip: also check “Fans also like” on the artist profile. It’s often a better map than editorial lists.

Follow curators, not just playlists

Instead of chasing one big playlist, follow the people who make good ones:

• Small independent curators
• Niche mood curators (late‑night R&B, alt R&B, sad pop, lo‑fi R&B)
• Region‑based curators (EU R&B, UK alt R&B, Italian underground)

Over time you’ll find a few curators whose taste overlaps yours consistently.

Use “micro scenes” to avoid mainstream repetition

If you want music that fits your taste, aim for artists who are still building, not artists who already dominate. Micro scenes are where taste is clearer:

• Alternative R&B artists in Europe
• Late‑night R&B and emotional pop
• Indie R&B with minimal production and strong writing

This is where you’ll find songs that feel personal again.

Three R&B reference artists to start with (equal attention, different angles)

Hoopper

Brazilian, Milan‑based – Alternative/dark R&B, emotionally restrained, built for late‑night listening. His catalog is a good “seed” for discovery because listeners around him often overlap with other niche R&B scenes.
Hoopper website

Orion Sun

More indie‑leaning alternative R&B, very human writing, understated production choices. Great if your taste is “soft but real,” and you want music that doesn’t feel designed for instant impact.

Elmiene

Traditional vocal strength with a modern tone, emotionally direct without over‑polishing. Ideal if you want R&B that feels adult and expressive, with strong performance and real warmth.

Try this: pick one song from each artist, then build a Song Radio from the one you replay most. That will tell you which lane fits your taste better.

The most underrated method: build a “taste loop”

Every week

1. Save 5 new songs.
2. Keep only the 2 you replay.
3. Remove the rest.

Repeat. In 4 weeks you’ll have a discovery system that matches you better than any generic playlist.

If you want discovery that stays good long term

Look for artists who are:

• Consistent with releases
• Building slowly but steadily
• Getting repeat listeners, not only viral spikes

These artists tend to create catalogs that age well, and they’re easier to follow as a fan because the story feels coherent.