Our Hack To Finding New Music
Sometime's it is rather hard to find new music, or at least new music that you like. One of my favourite ways to discover more is through catalogue's. Call me traditional.
A lot of amazing music is reaching us these days, and that is thanks to both the artists and the labels supporting these artists. With the Copenhagen scene gaining traction and New York artists being recognised by the greats, you start to notice a pattern: many of these artists are coming from the same labels.
In this article, I’ll be exploring what labels I would recommend checking out. And also why you should tap into this method now rather than later.
Escho
Not all record labels get the credit they deserve, and Escho is one of them. The Copenhagen-based label has been a curator of culture for 20 years now, releasing music from artists who exist in their own worlds. Escho is multifaceted, and doesn’t only support music. Their extended relationship with the arts, beyond just sound, sets them apart from most labels.
Escho wanted to document what was around them, and they did that through this label. Clearly, they knew what we were missing as they platformed a roster of up-coming artists, young and eager to change the scene. A noticeable trend with their artists is that a handful are coming from RMC. Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium —or Rhythmic Music Conservatory has been nurturing artists to the spotlight, and it is fair to say that they are a big part of the Copenhagen wave.
The Danish waters that the waves were travelling from soon washed up in front of Spotify’s editors who pushed Escho artists into the algorithm through a playlist called Cph+. This playlist featured a collection of Escho releases by artists like Astrid Sonne, Molina and Fine, all RMC alumni.
Escho isn’t just an alt-pop label, although their catalogue may lead you to that conclusion. They’ve actually supported works across a range of genres. An example is their releases for Iceage, a post-punk band. Escho has helped foster a movement, and they deserve more attention that they get. It is easy to forget about the label when met with the artist, but consider them because you never know what else they might have in store for you.
World Music
Another record label that has been around for a while is World Music. This label has produced some of my most played tracks, and this comes as no surprise considering who’s behind it. Dean Blunt and Inga Copeland of the band Hype Williams started their own label back in 2012. The label itself has a complexity to it. Exclusivity and scant details is really at the labels core, so when a release gets removed off of a platform unexpectedly, don’t be surprised.
Everything about this label feels like an unknown, and there is a lot of having to piece things together. You feel the pairs influence across the labels entire discography, yet in some cases, it is unclear whether they were involved or not. One recent example is The Crying Nudes, a band that emerged in 2024 with Fine, yes Escho label Fine, as their lead singer. Initially, it had many people questioning if Dean Blunt was involved. I even started to look into it. But, one thing about Dean Blunt is, he won’t say anything. He won’t confirm or deny, so I guess we will just wait and see although it seems now his name is credited on a few releases.
Majority of the releases from World Music are Dean Blunt’s own work, featuring his projects like Lucre, Backstage Raver, and The Narcissist II. One thing I noticed going through their discography was a crossover. The collaborative works feature many artists who have released music with Escro such as Elias Ronnenfelt from Ice Age, Joanne Robertson, and, as mentioned, Fine.
World Music releases a range of sounds from hypnagogic pop, experimental hip-hop to indie and even rap. Despite the varied list of genre’s, the label’s releases all feel somewhat cohesive, or true to the label’s enigmatic identity. Inga Copeland has little presence in the label, mostly because the duo split.
They split very early on actually, Hype Williams announced they both were no longer affiliated a year into the label. I am not sure where they stand currently, but both their names are in the label, so maybe she is still there. That said, her solo releases as Lolina weren’t under World Music.
Scenic Route
Now, another British label, Scenic Route. Shaped by founders Jon Phonics and Theo Fabunmi Stone, the label has a great understanding of what music is missing. Founded in 2017, a label more recent than those prior, Scenic Route has been getting an incredible response, boosting their artists to higher heights. I have found so many artists really early on in their career through this label, so if you like to gatekeep, tap in. You will find someone who is bound to blow.
Operating in the underground, Scenic Route has taken over South London’s lesser known venues like Ormside Projects, Avalon Cafe and their second home, Spanners. Through curating these events, they have built a community: one that rejects convention. The label is experimental, and focuses its attention on artists who are authentically themselves. Rather than shaping the artist, they pave the way for them, and this approach has led them to a number of strong acts.
Acopia, Mark William Lewis, Nourished by Time and Thredd are a few of the artists that have released music with Scenic Route. These names are likely familiar, as three out of four have been covered in our publication, and all are increasingly recognised as shaping the new alternative scene. Scenic Route discovers these artists through their community, relationships with other artists and genuine involvement in the scene. It is clear that this label is the fuel the underground needs.
Their simplistic approach to running a label is part of the appeal. As Nourished by Time stated, “The deals are pretty fair, they’re 50/50. For me, it was a good introduction to the music industry without signing a crazy multi-page deal with confusing words.” This relaxed introduction, not forcing something down the artist’s throats is a sign that they understand the issues in the industry. They sympathize; they get it. They’re proving that they know what you want, and that they want you as you are.
Three Times Louder
The last label that I want to mention is the future of New York’s hip-hop scene, Three Times Louder. This label is fairly new to the game, founded in 2023 through a partnership with Soundcloud and Sickamore, however this union has the experience combined to take this somewhere great. Sickamore has been proving himself as an A&R master for years now, and by signing Liim as the label’s first artist, he proves it again.
With a focus on building locally, Sickamore is eager to spotlight the talent in the youth. After working with Travis Scott, YG, Nicki Minaj and currently managing Don Toliver, Sickamore has a good understanding of what it means to nurture a star. And that is what Three Times Louder is about. Creating a space for young artists to find their sound, their style and push them that step further. It is as much a creative community as it is a label.
Their roster has already caught people’s attention: Liim getting co-sign from Tyler, the Creator; Laila, at just 19, getting millions of streams; and Ovrkast collaborating with Vince Staples. Sickamore clearly has a vision for this and it will, without a doubt, play out nicely. Having Soundcloud, every artist’s starting point, back this label too, instills great confidence that this is going to succeed.
Thank you for reading through this list of labels I have been into. Let me know if you liked this list, or if there are any recommendations you have for me. - Common