Top 14 'Taste-Finder' Playlists to try for beginners building a music library from scratch - Goh Ling Yong
Starting a music library from scratch in today's world is both a blessing and a curse. You have instant access to virtually every song ever recorded, a digital Alexandria of audio at your fingertips. But with infinite choice comes infinite paralysis. Where do you even begin? Staring at an empty library on Spotify or Apple Music can feel like standing at the base of a mountain with no map.
The typical advice is to start with the "Top 50" charts or algorithm-generated "Essentials" playlists. While these can be fun, they often don't help you build a library that feels uniquely yours. They tell you what's popular, but they don't help you discover what resonates with your soul. Building a music library is a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, a process of finding the soundtracks to your own life.
That's where "taste-finder" playlists come in. These aren't just collections of hits; they are curated experiences designed to expose you to the core ideas, sounds, and feelings of a genre, mood, or era. They are maps, not just destinations. By spending time with these playlists, you can quickly learn what you love, what you don't, and where you want to explore next. Here are 14 essential taste-finder playlists to kickstart your journey.
1. The Indie/Alternative Starter Pack
If you feel like mainstream pop doesn't quite speak to you, the world of indie and alternative rock is a fantastic place to start. This playlist is for the listener who craves authenticity, clever lyrics, and sounds that exist just left of the dial. It's a broad category, spanning from jangly guitar pop to melancholic shoegaze, but it’s united by a spirit of independence.
This playlist acts as a gateway to decades of influential music that has shaped culture from the underground up. You'll find the roots of modern indie in bands like The Smiths and R.E.M., see its 2000s revival with The Strokes and Arcade Fire, and hear its current evolution with artists like Tame Impala and Phoebe Bridgers. It’s a sonic journey through college radio stations of years past.
- What to listen for: The raw energy of The Pixies, the intricate guitar work of Interpol, the dreamy soundscapes of Beach House, and the heart-on-sleeve lyricism of The National. If you find yourself drawn to the more atmospheric tracks, you might love the shoegaze or dream pop subgenres.
2. Hip-Hop Essentials: Old School to New School
Hip-hop is more than just a genre; it's a cultural force. This playlist is a crash course in its history and evolution, from its block-party origins in the Bronx to its current status as a global phenomenon. It’s essential for understanding modern music, as hip-hop's influence can be heard in everything from pop to jazz.
A great chronological taste-finder will start with the foundational pillars: the storytelling of Grandmaster Flash, the lyrical genius of Rakim, and the political fire of Public Enemy. It then moves through the 90s Golden Age with A Tribe Called Quest and Nas, explores the diverse sounds of the 2000s from OutKast to Eminem, and lands on modern innovators like Kendrick Lamar and Tyler, the Creator. This isn't just a playlist; it's a history lesson.
- Tip: Pay attention to the production. Do you prefer the sample-heavy, jazzy beats of the 90s, or the trap-influenced, synthetic sounds of today? Your preference can guide you to entire subgenres.
3. Classic Rock 101: Beyond the Radio Hits
Everyone knows "Stairway to Heaven" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," but classic rock is a universe of deep cuts, concept albums, and virtuosic musicianship. This playlist is designed to take you past the songs you hear on the radio and into the heart of what made these bands legendary. It’s for anyone who wants to understand why their parents still think the best music was made in the 70s.
Instead of just the big singles, this playlist should feature album-defining tracks. Think "The Great Gig in the Sky" from Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon or "The Battle of Evermore" from Led Zeppelin IV. It's about showcasing the ambition, artistry, and instrumental prowess that defined the era. It’s a reminder that rock music used to be album-oriented, a complete experience meant to be heard from start to finish.
- What to listen for: The psychedelic blues of Cream, the raw power of The Who, the intricate harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and the prog-rock odysseys of Rush.
4. The Electronic Music Spectrum: Chillwave to Techno
"Electronic music" is an umbrella term so massive it's almost meaningless. This playlist is your guide to its incredible diversity. It's for the curious listener who wants to explore a world beyond festival EDM and discover the ambient, experimental, and dance-floor-filling sounds crafted with synthesizers and drum machines.
A good electronic spectrum playlist should feel like a journey. Start with ambient, relaxing artists like Brian Eno or Tycho to ease in. Move into the head-nodding "downtempo" of Bonobo or Massive Attack, touch on the hazy nostalgia of "chillwave" with artists like Washed Out, and then ramp up the energy with house (Daft Punk), techno (Jeff Mills), and maybe even some mind-bending IDM (Aphex Twin). This helps you find the energy level and texture you connect with most.
- Tip: Notice how you feel. Does the music make you want to think, relax, or dance? Your answer is your compass in the vast world of electronic music.
5. The Modern Pop Primer
Pop music gets a bad rap for being generic, but the best pop artists are master craftspeople and innovators. This playlist isn't about what's currently topping the charts; it's about the influential, boundary-pushing pop of the last 15 years. It’s for listeners who appreciate a killer hook but also crave substance and artistry.
This collection should feature artists who changed the game. Think of Lorde's minimalist, anti-pop debut; Billie Eilish's dark, whispery production; Frank Ocean's genre-blending R&B; and Taylor Swift's evolution into a master storyteller. It's pop music that's aware of its history and eager to write the next chapter, proving that "popular" doesn't have to mean "predictable."
- What to listen for: Clever production choices, unconventional song structures, and lyrics that feel personal and specific. It’s a great way to start building a music library that feels current yet timeless.
6. Jazz for People Who Think They Don't Like Jazz
Many people are intimidated by jazz, picturing impenetrable solos or cheesy "smooth jazz." This playlist is designed to be the perfect, welcoming entry point. It focuses on the most melodic, atmospheric, and foundational jazz recordings that are easy for any ear to love. It's the key that unlocks one of the richest and most rewarding genres in music history.
Start with the essentials: the cool,modal masterpiece that is Miles Davis's Kind of Blue. Add the iconic, rhythmically complex "Take Five" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet and the soulful, smoky saxophone of John Coltrane's work on Ballads. From there, you can explore the hard-bop grooves of Art Blakey or the elegant piano of Bill Evans. This playlist is all about melody and mood.
- Tip: As I've often discussed on the Goh Ling Yong blog, finding an instrument you connect with is key. Do you follow the piano, the saxophone, or the trumpet? Let that instrument be your guide to discovering new artists.
7. The Late-Night Drive
Sometimes, music is all about the vibe. This playlist is built for a specific mood: driving through empty city streets after midnight. It’s atmospheric, cinematic, and often a little melancholic. Perfect for introspection, focus, or simply getting lost in a soundscape.
This is a cross-genre playlist, often pulling from indie, electronic, and dream pop. Key artists might include The xx, with their sparse arrangements and intimate vocals; Chromatics, with their 80s-inspired synth noir; and Kavinsky, whose track "Nightcall" basically defines the genre. The goal is to create a seamless, immersive experience where one track flows perfectly into the next.
- What to listen for: Songs with a strong sense of space, prominent bass lines, and hypnotic, repeating melodies. It's a great way to discover artists who are masters of atmosphere.
8. Sunday Morning Coffee
This is the auditory equivalent of a warm, cozy blanket. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a slow, easy morning with a cup of coffee and a good book. This playlist focuses on acoustic instruments, gentle vocals, and warm, intimate production. It’s music that feels like a quiet, reassuring friend.
The core of this playlist is often found in the folk and singer-songwriter genres. Think of the delicate fingerpicking of Nick Drake, the hushed harmonies of Iron & Wine, the timeless songwriting of Joni Mitchell, and the smooth, jazzy pop of Norah Jones. It's all about stripping songs down to their emotional and melodic core.
- If you like this, try: Exploring the discographies of the artists you enjoy most. Many of them have created entire albums that capture this specific, comforting mood.
9. Productivity Power-Up (No Lyrics)
For many of us, music is a vital tool for focus and productivity. Lyrics, however, can be distracting. This playlist is a curated collection of instrumental music designed to help you concentrate, block out distractions, and get into a state of flow.
This is another playlist that benefits from a journey-like structure. Start with the ever-popular "lofi hip hop beats to study/relax to," which provides a gentle, rhythmic foundation. Then, explore cinematic scores from composers like Hans Zimmer or Ludovico Einaudi for a more epic, motivational feel. For deep focus, try the ambient textures of Brian Eno or the expansive soundscapes of post-rock bands like Explosions in the Sky.
- Tip: Experiment with different subgenres to see what works best for your brain. Some people need a beat to stay on task (lofi), while others prefer a formless soundscape (ambient).
10. The 70s Singer-Songwriter Golden Age
If you love lyrics and storytelling, there's no better place to start than the golden age of the singer-songwriter. In the early 1970s, a wave of artists turned inward, writing deeply personal, poetic, and emotionally resonant songs with little more than a piano or an acoustic guitar.
This playlist is a masterclass in songwriting. It features the confessional brilliance of Joni Mitchell's Blue, the warm, inviting melodies of James Taylor, the piano-driven perfection of Carole King's Tapestry, and the soulful folk of Bill Withers. These are songs that feel like conversations, filled with timeless observations about love, loss, and life.
- What to listen for: The craft of the lyrics. Notice the narrative structures, the clever wordplay, and the raw emotional honesty. This is the foundation for countless modern artists like Adele and Ed Sheeran.
11. The 80s New Wave & Synth-Pop Revolution
The 80s weren't just about big hair and flashy clothes; it was a decade of musical innovation, driven by the synthesizer. This playlist captures the sound of that revolution: music that was futuristic, romantic, and often melancholic, all set to an irresistible electronic beat. It's for anyone who loves moody atmospheres and catchy, synth-driven hooks.
Dive into the holy trinity of the genre: the dark, electronic anthems of Depeche Mode, the gloomy-yet-gorgeous pop of The Cure, and the sophisticated, emotional synth-pop of Tears for Fears. Also essential are bands like New Order, who rose from the ashes of Joy Division to pioneer the blend of post-punk and dance music, and the quirky pop of Talking Heads.
- What to listen for: The sounds of early synthesizers and drum machines. It was a new sonic palette, and these artists were its first great painters.
12. The 90s Grunge & Alt-Rock Explosion
This playlist is a time capsule from a moment when rock music got raw, loud, and angry again. Emerging from the Pacific Northwest, grunge was a reaction against the slick excess of the 80s. It was music filled with angst, apathy, and distortion pedals, and it defined the sound and style of a generation.
The cornerstones are, of course, Nirvana, with their blend of punk energy and pop melody; Pearl Jam, with their stadium-sized classic rock anthems; and Soundgarden, with their heavy, sludgy riffs. But a good taste-finder will also include the psychedelic leanings of Smashing Pumpkins and the powerful vocals of Alice in Chains to show the genre's full scope.
- Tip: If you love the energy but want something a bit different, use this as a jumping-off point to explore other 90s alt-rock scenes, like the UK's "Britpop" movement (Oasis, Blur).
13. The "Sampled" Playlist: From Soul to Hip-Hop
This is a more conceptual taste-finder, but it's one of the most rewarding for understanding how music history is a conversation. This playlist pairs a classic soul, funk, or R&B track with a famous hip-hop song that sampled it. It’s a musical detective story that reveals the DNA of your favorite beats.
For example, you’d hear the iconic horns from "The Edge" by David McCallum and then hear Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode." You'd listen to the smooth groove of The Isley Brothers' "Footsteps in the Dark" and then hear Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day." This approach not only introduces you to two genres at once but deepens your appreciation for the artistry of both the original musicians and the producers who re-contextualized their work. The team at Goh Ling Yong's blog loves this kind of historical deep dive.
- What to listen for: How a producer can take a tiny snippet of a song—a drum break, a vocal line, a horn stab—and build an entirely new world around it.
14. Covers That Redefine the Original
A great cover song doesn't just replicate the original; it reinterprets it, revealing a new emotional core or a hidden meaning. This playlist is a collection of these transformative covers. It's a fantastic way to appreciate the art of songwriting and performance, and it can introduce you to an artist's influences.
Key examples are essential here. Johnny Cash taking Nine Inch Nails' industrial-rock anthem "Hurt" and turning it into his own devastating folk epitaph. Jeff Buckley taking Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and making it a soaring, secular hymn. The Fugees reimagining Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song" with a hip-hop beat and Lauryn Hill's powerhouse vocals.
- Tip: After listening to the cover, always go back and listen to the original. This comparison is where the magic happens, helping you understand the choices the covering artist made and what makes each version special.
Building your music library is one of the most enjoyable journeys you can embark on. It's a process that never truly ends, as your tastes will continue to grow and evolve with you. Think of these playlists not as definitive lists, but as starting points—trailheads leading to vast, beautiful landscapes of sound. Be curious, be open-minded, and don't be afraid to go down a rabbit hole.
Now, we want to hear from you. What are your go-to playlists for discovering new music? Did we miss a crucial "taste-finder" category that helped you build your own library? Share your thoughts, your favorite playlists, and your recent discoveries in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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