Rex Features
"If music be the food of love, play on" -
Shakespeare
Feel like your iPod is constantly on repeat? Bored of the same old
songs and need a new playlist? We're not all blessed with musical
maestro friends who can fill you in on the latest new bands and
album releases, but there are tools online to help. Yes, we've all
heard of Last.FM,
iTunes Genius, and if you haven't already signed up for Spotify, then quite frankly where have you
been? But there's so much music out there it's simply a case of
finding what you like. So from blogs, to online streaming sites to
mind maps, here are a few of the gems we've discovered to help you
in your search.
Urbanears Headphones, £50 at Urban Outfitters
ShazamShazam is already well known
but we had to include it in the list because it really is essential
for anyone wanting to discover new music - like a portable musical
encyclopedia. Launched 10 years ago as a number you could dial from
your mobile, it's now new and improved and available for your
smartphone. Simply download the app and no matter where you are, if
you hear a song you like - on the radio, on TV, playing in a shop
or a bar - you can hold up your phone to the music and let Shazam
tell you the exact name of the song and the artist. Genius.
Shazam.com
Stereo MoodThis free internet radio
site that will create a playlist for you according to how you feel.
From 'happy', 'dreamy' or 'romantic' to 'funky', 'it's
raining' and 'just woke up'. As long as you're open minded and
not too tied to one particular genre, you're sure to discover new
artists that perfectly match your mood.
Stereomood.com
Audio MapRemember mind maps? Well this
simple web page follows the same concept but with music. Enter an
artist or band you already like in the search engine to create the
start of your spider diagram. Expand each branch to find new bands
or artists: the suggestions just go on and on (and it looks pretty
great too).
Audiomap.tuneglue.net
The QuietusLaunched in 2008, this
online music magazine now covers culture in general, but is still
the go-to for in depth, insightful reviews on new music of all
genres. So whether you're into indie, dubstep, pop or punk you'll
find news, reviews and features on new releases, by respected names
in the industry - from music journalists, broadcasters and even
well-known band members. If you want to know what you're talking
about when it comes to music, this is the website to
bookmark.
Thequietus.com
The Sixty OneWe love this site largely
due to its straightforward design. Click through to listen to new
music, which is accompanied with full-screen album covers or
pictures of the artist and pop-up snippets of information. Don't
forget to give your opinion: the more listeners that like songs,
the more they get played. Simple.
Thesixtyone.com
We Are HuntedAn online music chart. The
team at We Are Hunted follow the buzz on music blogs,
social media and message boards and chart the top 99 songs that are
causing a stir. This isn't the kind of chart you'll hear on Radio
1, but it's all the better for it.
Wearehunted.com
The Line of Best FitA fantastic
UK-based music blog with news, reviews and features on independent
and alternative music. Sign up to the RSS feed for their Song of
the Day suggestion or follow them on Twitter (Lauren Laverne and
Edith Bowman do).
Thelineofbestfit.com
@bestfitmusic
Audio SushiAudio Sushi are an
established music concierge service but as well as providing DJs
and bands for various events, they also offer a tailor-made
customised playlist service for your iPod, following an in-depth
questionnaire about your musical tastes and personality. It will
cost you (from £135 for a two-hour playlist to £550 for a 10-hour
playlist) but trust us: with suggestions from DJs and music buffs
around the world, these guys know their stuff.
Audiosushi.com
