MOVE staffer Sarah Woods offers tips to independently developing your own taste in art
When I first started hearing discussions about a possible TikTok ban, I felt a confusing mix of excitement and dread. On one hand, my disdain for the app — and, more importantly, my unhealthy relationship with it — grew by the day. Each time I found myself doomscrolling when I should have been sleeping or neglecting old hobbies in favor of a few more screen time hours, I felt a growing frustration with how much space it occupied in my life.
Still, I was scared to delete it. For the past few years, I have relied on TikTok’s algorithm to introduce me to new media. Scrolling became my primary discovery process; instead of actively seeking out artists, movies or shows, I passively waited for a video to tell me what to engage with. I almost exclusively watched movies recommended by film-focused influencers or featured in clips on my “For You” page. My Spotify library, which was previously full of songs that resonated deeply with me, became overgrown with the tunes heard in countless outfit checks or “get ready with me” videos. This kept me up to date with social media’s latest cultural obsessions but distanced me from my personal relationship with art.
As I’ve come to realize, this issue extends far beyond TikTok. Music streaming services like Spotify rely on algorithms to push albums, playlists and podcasts based on users’ past listening habits. Movie streaming platforms do the same, strategically curating in-app recommendations to keep viewers engaged. Some, like Netflix, even consider factors such as the time of day, language and device type when tailoring suggestions. These systems make it entirely possible for users to avoid content outside of their established, algorithmic-determined preferences. It’s easy to fall into the idea that because the app is already pushing suggestions, there is no need to search for media elsewhere. However, while this method offers convenience, it robs you of exposure to diverse artistic genres, styles and viewpoints.
At the start of 2025, I made a resolution to break free from these calculated systems and develop my own taste. Though only a month has passed, my media discovery toolkit has already expanded tenfold. Here are some of my favorite ways to find, explore and fall in love with art without relying on algorithms.
Learning from those who know best
One of the easiest ways to broaden your horizons is to take recommendations from artists you already admire. Musicians, filmmakers and other creators immerse themselves in a wide range of influences to refine their craft. Pay attention to the artists, books, films or albums they mention in interviews or share on social media.
If you’re a Spotify user, check your favorite musician’s profile for an “Artist Playlists” section. These curated playlists often offer a direct glimpse into the music that inspires them. My favorite playlist, and the first one I listened to after discovering this feature, is Slaughter Beach, Dog’s monthly “walkin’” playlist. Jake Ewald, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, fills the playlist each month with underground folk and R&B songs. It’s thanks to “walkin’” that I discovered “I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl,” my new favorite Nina Simone song.
There are also numerous series’ dedicated to artists discussing their favorite works.
Criterion’s “Closet Picks” follows directors and actors as they browse and discuss the service’s extensive DVD collection. Amoeba Music hosts a “What’s in My Bag?” series that lets musicians shop at one of the record store’s locations and explain their selections. These shows provide an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at creative influences, offering a great starting point for your next watch or listen.
Be smarter with social media
Defying the algorithm doesn’t mean quitting social media altogether – it just requires using it more intentionally. A great way to do this is by following different arts and culture publications. The blog Stereogum provides consistent, interesting and often amusing insight into music releases, both new and old. Each article the site publishes is refreshingly honest and unconcerned with their possible public reception, a quality that seems increasingly hard to find in many modern music reviews.
Paste Magazine is another great way to source music recommendations. The publication’s musical lists section is full of hidden gems, like an article ranking horse-related songs based on how much the author thinks you should play them for an actual horse.
Most of the film and TV content I consume comes from interviews with directors and actors done by Paper Magazine. Their recent talk with filmmaker John Waters is a perfect example of how their writers blend insight with entertainment. In one sentence, Waters discusses the inspiration for his new clothing line and in the next, he laughs about James Franco’s eerie resemblance to Luigi Mangione. These quirky interviews make discovering fresh, creative voices and revisiting old ones easy and exciting.
If you find a particularly insightful article, consider following the writer on social media. Journalists often share personal, less-filtered opinions on their feeds that can introduce you to even more art. I especially love Grace Robins-Somerville, who has written for Stereogum and more in addition to keeping up with a regular Substack blog, and Rolling Stone staff writer Brittany Spanos. These writers will often repost the work of others in the industry, leading you down even more discovery-filled paths.
I’m also a loud and proud advocate of tasteful social media stalking. Lurking on my friends’ Spotify or Letterboxd accounts — queuing songs from their playlists or adding their highly-rated movies to my watchlist — is one of my favorite ways to find new media. There’s something special about seeing what my loved ones find important enough to save, rate or revisit. At best, I’ll find something we can obsess over together. At worst, I gain insight into their perspective and a better understanding of my own tastes.
Research, research, research
Finally, developing taste means exploration beyond simply watching and listening. Instead of finishing a movie or album and immediately moving on, dive deeper into the creator’s body of work. Let yourself fall into late-night Wikipedia rabbit holes about art that intrigues you. If you find a song you love, read the artist’s biography on your streaming platform of choice. The more you immerse yourself in an artist’s world, the more personal your connection with their work will become.
Over time, these discovery methods will shape your perspectives, allowing you to develop a unique, intentional sense of taste. Your relationship with art will shift from an uninvolved, algorithm-driven experience to an active, self-guided journey. In a world where digital platforms dictate so much of what we see and hear, seeking out media on your own terms isn’t just about enjoying art—it’s a way to take back your autonomy as a consumer and, ultimately, as a person.
Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Ethan Palgon and Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com