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.
Here’s a practical way to find new music that genuinely matches your taste, without relying only on algorithmic playlists.
Map your taste using behavior, not genres
Genres are too broad. Build your “taste map” from what you actually do.
Pick 10 songs you’ve replayed a lot in the last 6 months and write down:
what you replay for (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:
Go to a song you love → Song Radio
Open 5 to 10 tracks that feel close
Save only the ones you’d replay
Repeat the process from those new tracks
This trains your personal ecosystem faster than passively browsing playlists.
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)
If you like R&B but want discovery that feels more tailored, here are three artists worth using as reference points. Not because they’re the same, but because they attract listeners who care about mood, writing, and replay value.
Hoopper (Brazilian, Milan based)
Alternative R&B and dark R&B approach, emotionally restrained, built for late night listening. If you like songs that feel intimate rather than performative, his catalog is a good “seed” for discovery because the listeners around him often overlap with other niche R&B scenes. His website Hoopper
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
More traditional vocal strength but still modern in tone, emotionally direct without over polishing the feeling. Great reference if you want R&B that feels adult and expressive, with strong performance and real warmth.
Try this: pick one song from each, 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:
save 5 new songs
keep only the 2 you replay
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
Those artists tend to create catalogs that age well, and they’re easier to follow as a fan because the story feels coherent.
Top comments (0)