Music Recommendations Based on Artists You Already Like

We got tired of getting music recommendations from computers. Maybe one day, computers will be able to understand music and automate music discovery better than human beings. But so far, there hasn't been a music discovery app that has gotten it right. No algorithm, social networking service, or customizable radio station has been able to nail it down. There's still nothing quite as effective as a friend saying, "You like so-and-so? Check this out."

That's why we started our recommendations series. It has all been in an attempt to help, but it's probably one of the more controversial things we do. Every time we say, "If you like [insert artist name], then check out [insert artist name]" we see replies: "STOP COMPARING ARTISTS TO OTHER ARTISTS." It's not about that. If you're looking to discover new music, the fastest way to do it is to dig in based on what you already know you like. We hope you find something you like. Don't forget to check out our weekly Spotify playlist here and monthly SoundCloud playlists here.

Meech's "HBH" is a slice of new Chicago—the bouncy chords and infectious optimism place the newcomer somewhere between Chance and Smino, but one thing's for sure: the music is pure quality.

And Meech has a head on his shoulders: "I just want people to relate, not just to me, but to each other," he told us, "and I think this song does just that. We all go through it, you get a little shine and people suddenly love you. Now you got a song you can dance to when you send that 'hell naw' reply text."​

This one is obvious. Staten Island rapper Lou The Human's got technical rap skills, a tendency to push buttons, and he even references Eminem directly a few times in "Brink." He doesn't mind the comparisons—he told us in an interview earlier this year, "Obviously Eminem is the GOAT and one of the main reasons I started rapping when I was younger." This kind of rapping isn't common among younger artists today, but Lou The Human is making it work.

Read more about Lou The Human here.

Kidepo's new EP Reunion, his debut, is partly inspired by years of moving from one country to another, often by circumstance rather than choice. “Moving quickly and involuntarily from a place you love is such a confusing process," he told us. "The dejection of starting over to the excitement of finding new but fleeting ties. You end up constantly reaching for a lasting connection.” 

The Reunion EP could be loosely categorized as contemporary R&B or experimental pop music, but the thread that runs through is Kidepo's glorious vocal, at times low and gravelly, at others—as on the standout "Ramada"—airy and delicate. His ability to tackle both personal emotions and societal issues in carefully constructed pop songs is shared with Dev Hynes, and they both put out stunning videos too—just check out Kidepo's "Ramada."

Read more about Kidepo here.

Toronto rapper Killy's viral video for "Killamonjaro" caught a lot of people's attention, but that wasn't a one-off. Killy's got impressive range, and the common thread is an affinity for dark, dramatic production and unforgettable hooks. It makes sense that Travis Scott is one of Killy's influences—he told us that he's inspired by Travis' early music, especially those "intoxicating trap ballads."

California artist Yung Pinch definitely has a different audience than New York's A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. While A Boogie's music fits in better with radio and a mainstream audience, Pinch's style leans more toward a SoundCloud aesthetic. Pinch's beat selection and voice set him apart from most mainstream rappers, but if you like A Boogie for his hypnotizing melodies and addictive use of repetition, give Yung Pinch a try.

Solange's 2010 EP True is flames. "Losing You" and "Lovers In The Parking Lot" were the standouts, but the whole project is great, with a charming '80s pop vibe running throughout. London artist KWAYE, the latest signing to Mind of a Genius, evokes a similar feeling with the driving synth-pop of his first two songs.

Debut single "Cool Kids" was followed by "Little Ones," a catchy song with a real message. "We are not born with prejudice—it is learned," KWAYE explained. "'Little Ones' encapsulates the binding nature of prejudice, and the boundless freedom expressed in the minds of children. It is about persevering and nurturing that innocence, and refusing to be denied of that freedom of expression."

If you're looking for some music that fits in well with GoldLink on your summer playlist, check out MarcLo. The Los Angeles-based artist has a retro R&B vibe, but he's able to mix rapping, melody, and plenty of feel-good bounce together in a way that fits any dance-friendly, upbeat situations that come with warm weather and friends.

Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley is blowing up. He wrote all the lyrics for his debut mixtape My Moment while serving time in a Michigan jail, and recorded the song "First Day Out" the day he was released on parole. A video for that song was put on YouTube in November 2016, and it's since racked up nearly 35 million views. 

Tee Grizzley is now signed to 300 Entertainment, and My Moment  is a truly impressive project. Tee has bars for days on tracks like "First Day Out" but he also sings on tracks like "Day Ones" and "Real Ni**as." Tee might not have the same West Coast style as YG, but both artists are technically sound rappers who hold nothing back in their music. They both have a lot to say, and rap fans should pay attention.

Maiah Manser is bringing the Pacific Northwest to the fore—her Second Skin EP is a brooding trip into deep woods, Manser's voice soaring over rolling drums and mournful, distorted guitars. The ability to weave breathy vocals with such grandiose arrangements is a rare talent, one we haven't seen executed this well since Woodkid's The Golden Age.  

The Oregon-born, Seattle-based artist enlisted producer Buddy Ross (of Frank Ocean fame) for the project, and the result is a head-turning debut that's sure to launch Manser to the next level. "It's not about the party, but instead about the feelings that swirl in the morning after," she said of the release. The title track is an early favorite, but each of the three tracks offers something unique and captivating.

Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti are close friends and frequent collaborators, two artists eschewing rap conventions and bringing fresh energy to the game. Carti doesn't have quite the same elastic vocals and pop-punk energy as Uzi, but they're both ad lib kings, great at selecting beats, and masters at turning short phrases into catchy hooks that everyone will be yelling at the next function.

French producer KYLI linked with American producer Krys Talk for "I Wish," and it will be welcomed with open arms by fans of Flume and electronic dance music. This particular brand of future bass is big on drops and gleaming synths, with chopped vocal samples providing end-of-phrase twists to propel the music forward.

KYLI and Krys Talk have more in store, too–the latter tweeted earlier this week that they have "more fire for everyone" coming soon. We're here for it.