For the more avid Spotify user, the Discover Weekly playlist can be a mixed bag: sometimes you find those diamond-in-the-rough cuts, the ones you immediately add to your other playlist (or, if you’re like me, one or more of your actual hundreds of lists), and sometimes you get sacked with a lot of duds. It varies, but there’s definitely no denying the fact that the Discover Weekly tool has the ability to get you out of your musical comfort zone, at least for a little while. Discover Weekly refreshes every Monday, so you’re never without new tunes to get down to.
Mostly, I’m inclined to listen to indie rock, alternative rock, and electronic (I never really got into EDM, but that’s a story for another time). I like other types of music, as well; I remain optimistic about these things, or at least I try to. Discover hasn’t really disappointed in my favorite categories as of late (like I said, getting the not-so-great tracks is an inevitable occurrence), and it’s great because I’m no longer just cycling the same songs in my library into my playlists. Discover puts new music literally at my fingertips, and it draws from the things I already listen to.
Here are some of the best songs I’ve found through the Discover Weekly tool on Spotify!
1. Home – Islandis
I found this just the other day, and its infectious West Coast-themed indie pop hasn’t left me alone since. I’ve literally been listening to it on repeat for days. It’s so catchy I can’t deal.
2. Tropical Oceans - D.D. Dumbo
This was on the same rotation as the previous song. I was extra excited, because most of the time, I get only one single song in the list that I wind up liking. This BOGO was not lost on me. I really, really appreciated the melody of this song.
3. Swing Tree - Discovery
I always laugh at the unavoidable pun in this one. This came from a Discover playlist long since lost, but I had been listening to a lot of Ra Ra Riot at the time. The lead singer, Wes Miles, also heads the vocals of this project. Some nice electronica with a pretty melody.
4. It’s Strange - Louis The Child ft. K. Flay
I definitely love me some great indietronica, and this right here has been one of my favorites to bump as of late. Louis The Child is a Chicago-based duo, and they feature the very witty and talented musician K. Flay, also with origins in Chicago. The production is great on this one.
5. Limestone - Magic City Hippies
I have a very laid back personality, and I often think that this song is kind of me personified in song. Only sometimes, though. MCH are based out of Miami, and they definitely seem to carry that beachy vibe with them. I found this song in the summertime, and there honestly couldn’t have been a more perfect combination.
6. Harpy - Jas Patrick
Jas Patrick is an emerging independent musician from Nashville. His mix of influences on his 2015 EP Inky Ovine range from garage rock, country, and world music, and honestly, it’s so, so cool. His voice rings clear and strong though each track, but this one is my favorite.
7. Future Primitive - Papercuts
This one came awhile back, also. I like the laid-back vibe of this song, indie and folksy to its core. I always appreciate a lo-fi vibe in indie pop, and this song delivers.
8. California (Cast Iron Soul) - Jamestown Revival
I don’t listen often to country music. This song brings the feeling in spades, though. The nostalgia, the longing for home; I appreciate the storytelling the most, I think, out of all the songs here. I find myself more than I’d like to admit singing along, harmonizing without even realizing. This song is equal parts catchy and soulful.
9. Steel On Steel - J. Tillman
In case the voice starts to sound familiar, this is the former pseudonym of Father John Misty, also known as Josh Tillman. He’s done extensive work as a musician, drumming for Fleet Foxes, as well as his FJM career. He’s folk- and Americana-laced to the core, and his voice has a spiritual tinge to it, having grown up in a strictly religious household. He’s one of my favorites.
10. No Complaints - Beck
This one came to me a long, long time ago. I keep it so close, though, because it was at the moment I found this song in my Discover Playlist that I knew I could trust its taste (it is based off of mine, of course). Beck is one of my favorite musicians hands down, so I was happy to find one of his less-popular tracks off of one of his best albums, The Information. A great way to end this playlist!
As you can gather, the Discover Weekly playlist tool can drive your music palette in a whole different direction, and can enable you to be more receptive to other kinds of music. As I’ve said before, sharing the music is sharing the happiness is sharing the wealth. The Spotify playlist is below!