I know the question is rather awkward at first and I am possibly overlooking something, but I would like to know something I really don’t understand.

In the past I have used modified versions of Spotify and they are fine but obviously no modified version allows you to download songs because it is a premium function at server level and honestly I would like to have my songs on my device, so if I don’t have internet I can still listen to them.

After those modified versions of Spotify, I have used apps like ViMusic, Spotube and SimpMusic which are basically Youtube Music apps but without ads and with more features, including downloading music, the problem is that they do that at the level of the app itself, not in a separate file. And I love these apps and I can not recommend them enough but my phone is a little old and I see 0 need to change it since I use it for basics usage and although this can sound dumb the interface of these apps are full of blur and unnecessary effects that make my device slow, including Spotify, and I don’t like Spotify Lite because I feel it is a very trimmed version of Spotify.

So this is where my question comes in, for those who exclusively download music, how do you discover new songs? Spotify’s recommendation system is great and Youtube’s radio mode is very good but obviously I need to use Spotify or Youtube Music to use it and I prefer to use light apps for local playback because of what I already mentioned.

Edit: Thanks for all the recommendations! I never thought this post would get so many answers and there are too many comments to answer one by one, but I admit that the old-school method of reading blogs or magazines works well, and I also like the idea of sites like Last.fm or discogs.

    • nik0
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      22 years ago

      I came here just to say this. I usually now just download shit on my ipod so its godtier to get away from the soon to be overpriced streaming services

    • @[email protected]
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      42 years ago

      This is pretty interesting. I’ve read that page but I’m not sure I get the value. Is the idea that I rate the music in my library and the ratings go to this website and I get some analysis or recommendations back?

      • @[email protected]
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        12 years ago

        The reviews and genre charts let’s you explore the music quite deep, use the charts they are really great to get into each artist or genre

  • meow
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    32 years ago

    I usually get it from the YouTube algorithm, but I’ll also check up on some labels every now and then and see what they got new. I also follow some individual artists.

  • glibg10b
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    32 years ago

    I use the ReVanced version of YouTube Music (no ads, high quality music). If I find a song that I like, I download it in FLAC format from one of the sites in the megathread

  • @[email protected]
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    312 years ago

    I don’t like using recommendation algorithms, I always discover music by human recommendations from blogs like bandcamp daily, warez websites and featuring artists

  • alphacyberranger
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    22 years ago

    Check out new songs from youtube, spotify, music sites and later download them and store them locally as 256 or 320 kbps mp3 files. I used to be a fan of billboard Top 100, but nowadays it’s just crap. Occasionally I do purchase from the artist’s site if available just to support them.

  • S410
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    32 years ago

    Most music I have is from “Pay what you want” albums from Ponies@Dawn, VibePoniez, A State Of Sugar, etc.
    When I come across artists I like, I tend to check out their other tracks and grab the ones I like.

    • IndiBrony
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      2 years ago

      Ah, someone else who went down the rabbit hole of pony music.

      Koa very quickly became one of my favourite artists as soon as she came in the scene ❤️

      What I find amusing is just how many people have no idea how much pony music The Living Tombstone made back in the day.

      Two artists who constantly churn out bangers are 4everfree and PrinceWhateverer.

      And I’m the same: find an artist, look up their other stuff. I have the full discography of most of my favourite bands/artists.

      Bandcamp is phenomenal for finding the niche and unknown!

  • @[email protected]
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    92 years ago

    Listen to the internet stations that are local to you, and have actual programmers daily. Some of the bigger ones in the US are KCRW, KEXP, WFMU, and any college radio station. Places that have guest bands come through and play a bit so you can hear how it sounds outside of a studio are the best in my opinion.

  • @[email protected]
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    112 years ago

    I use last.fm to track the songs i am listening to and ot gives spotify like recommendations and monthly statistics on what kind of music you listen to,top artist etc.