How to Discover New Music: Explore Hidden Gems on Global Radios
Discover global radio stations that champion hidden gems over mainstream hits. Find the best online radios for authentic music discovery beyond algorithms.
I am not a fan of radios, but when I was a child I loved watching my grandfather’s relationship with his radio. He was very selective that he enjoyed listening to football matches and traditional music while drinking Turkish coffee and watching the clouds. There was always authentic music in the background coming from the radio, especially in the garden at sunset. He cared for it so well and used it for years during many happy moments. Even now it’s nice to listen to a radio programme: someone has curated the music for you, and it removes the stress of searching for new songs because another person has already chosen and shared music that might touch your heart.
I’ve already used AI tools to discover new songs, and I’ve found several resources I’ll share below. I used to follow a few blogs to learn about new albums and artists; most were on Blogspot, but I rarely see them now because many are inactive. However, there are newer, more interactive, community-driven versions that are great for both discerning listeners and independent musicians.
Radio’s are still one of the greatest gifts to give your elders. It never dies.
Here is the fourth article about discovering new music; it covers great radio stations for finding songs. Use an app like Shazam or SoundHound if you want to identify a track, find the artist, and save it easily to a playlist in your streaming app.
Top Global Radio Stations for Music Discovery
1. BBC Radio 6 Music (UK)
Website: bbc.co.uk/6music
Why It's Essential: Rescued from closure by passionate fans, this station champions alternative music from folk to world music. Features live sessions, exciting guest hosts, and has launched its own music festival.
Discovery Factor: Eclectic programming that introduced countless listeners to new and forgotten artists across all genres.
2. KEXP (Seattle, USA)
It is an independent radio which listener-powered and community supported radio with a non-profit mission which is great for music discovery.
Website: kexp.org
Why It's Essential: Non-commercial station created as partnership between University of Washington and Paul Allen's Experience Music Project. Famous for in-studio live sessions with emerging and indie artists.
Discovery Factor: Carefully handpicked music with excellent artist discovery tools, music news, and event listings.
3. Worldwide FM (London/Global)
Worldwide FM is an award-winning community platform whose programming comes from locations ranging from Palestine to New Orleans. It gives a voice to progressive artists and cultural figures who fight inequality in all its forms. I suggest you to check their about page to check how they commit to music. https://worldwidefm.net/about
It’s one of my best discoveries: a nicely designed website with quality content and a passionate, human‑centered mission.
Website: worldwidefm.net
Why It's Essential: Founded by Gilles Peterson, broadcasts from London, Berlin, Kyoto, Los Angeles, Paris, Rio, Tokyo and beyond. Perfect platform for discovering underground music and culture globally.
Discovery Factor: Global ambassadors spotlight local music scenes with live sessions, interviews, and cultural discussions.
4. The Lot Radio (New York, USA)
Website: thelotradio.com
Why It's Essential: Broadcasting from an old shipping container in an abandoned parking lot, proving you don't need fancy studios.
Discovery Factor: Cultural zeitgeist destination for musicians and artists, with YouTube live streams of DJ mixes.
5. NTS Radio (London/Global)
I’m new to NTS, but it’s great to listen to any type of music instantly both via live streaming and through its endless mixtapes for different moods.
Website: nts.live
Why It's Essential: Sprawling, adventurous programming covering everything from ambient to experimental. Broadcasts from multiple global locations.
Discovery Factor: No commercial constraints allow for pure music curation and genre exploration.
6. Soho Radio (London/New York)
Website: sohoradio.com
Why It's Essential: Broadcasting live from Soho and New York with 250+ shows monthly. Covers rockabilly, jazz, ambient, psychedelic music inspired by Soho's diverse culture.
Discovery Factor: Shows from Metronomy's Anna Prior, UNKLE's James Lavelle, and other underground radio greats.
7. FIP (France)
Website: fip.fr
Why It's Essential: Broadcasting since 1971 with largely uninterrupted, carefully curated music. Features chanson, afrobeat, baroque, blues without commercial interruption.
Discovery Factor: Regional stations in Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes, Strasbourg offer different local flavors of discovery.
8. Radiooooo (Global)
One of my most interesting discoveries recently. You can pick a date and country to listen to songs from any locale, which is both fun and informative. I suggest checking your own country’s history to see what’s there — I discovered many interesting songs from mine.
Website: radiooooo.com
Why It's Essential: Interactive website letting listeners explore sounds by country and decade. Choose any nation and era to discover music from that time and place.
Discovery Factor: Unique time-travel approach to music discovery - explore 1950s Bangladesh or 1970s Azerbaijan.
9. Kiyi Muzik (Turkey)
I’ve followed and listened to Kıyı Müzik (Kiyi Muzik) for years and have always appreciated their patience and persistence in maintaining a platform that plays quality music for different times of the day. When I can’t find anything to play, I always rely on Kıyı Müzik to find good music.
Website: kiyimuzik.com
Streaming: https://kiyimuzik.com/radyo/
I definitely recommend Kıyı Gece (Night) to discover new music.
Why It's Essential: Long-running web-based station for alternative heads. "The radio of songs left on the shore"
Discovery Factor: Specializes in indie, alternative, synthpop, and forgotten gems. Multiple specialized channels including night and jazz programming.
10. SomaFM (San Francisco, USA)
Website: somafm.com
Why It's Essential: Independent streaming station supported entirely by listener donations. Multiple channels for specific genres: Groove Salad, Metal Detector, Underground 80s, PopTron.
Discovery Factor: Commercial-free environment allows for deep genre exploration across multiple specialized channels.
11. Tsugi Radio (France)
Website: tsugiradio.fr
Why It's Essential: Online radio from respected French electronic music magazine. Carefully curated tracks, DJ sets, live sessions featuring techno, house, ambient, experimental.
Discovery Factor: Cutting-edge playlists spotlighting emerging and established electronic artists with cultural programming.
Hi there! Juliana here. Thanks for the tips! I actually have good memories from my childhood while listening to the radio :) I used to go to bed with my walkman to listen to a program from “Antena 1” AM radio, only classics from the 80’s. - the feeling of being surprised by the songs was incredible ♥️