How to Discover New Music: Music Discovery Communities
Discover the best music communities for real recommendations. From Substack newsletters to Reddit forums, these platforms connect passionate music fans sharing genuine finds.
The algorithm has failed us. Despite having access to over 100 million songs, most people discover music through sterile, hyper-personalized playlists that create isolation rather than connection. When everyone gets unique recommendations, there's no shared musical experience.
But passionate music lovers are building communities where human enthusiasm trumps corporate algorithms. From thoughtful Substack newsletters to underground Reddit forums and real-time Discord servers, these communities offer what streaming platforms can't: context, passion, and serendipity.
Quick Note: Just renewed my Bandcamp and SoundCloud catalogs. Want to hear my music? Bandcamp | SoundCloud
Here's your guide to the best music discovery communities of 2025.
Substack Music Newsletters: The New Music Criticism
There are so many great music writers on Substack now, and the music writing here surpasses anything you will find elsewhere—with at least 20 or 30 top notch critics doing outstanding work day after day.
Essential Music Newsletters
Ted Gioia - The Honest Broker
The gold standard of music criticism on Substack. Ted Gioia is a cultural critic, music historian, and author of 12 books who previously taught at Stanford University. Gioia doesn't just recommend music—he explains why it matters culturally and historically, combining deep musical knowledge with sharp cultural criticism.
New Bands for Old Heads
Perfect for music lovers who feel overwhelmed by new releases or think music peaked in their youth. This newsletter bridges generational gaps with thoughtful curation that helps older listeners connect with contemporary artists.
The Wax Museum by Jared Smith
"Crate digging through culture" combining vinyl discovery with modern streaming. Creates fascinating connections between analog record culture and digital discovery, offering recommendations across formats and eras.
Jeff Tweedy's Newsletter
Original interviews, oral histories, audio stories, themed mixtapes, and more transmissions from the Daniverse from the Wilco frontman. Getting recommendations from working musicians reveals influences and inspirations algorithms miss.
