You thought you had discovered the ultimate secret of the music world, but when you opened the comments section, all you saw were comments like "Here it comes, this song is finally going to be a hit," and then you quietly turned off your phone, thinking to yourself, "I might as well go listen to my square dance anthems, at least no one is competing with me." Sorry, my friend, you might just be a latecomer to the music trend. But don’t panic, today I’m here to take you into the deep diving zone of niche music, those hidden pearls in the corners, guaranteed to make you feel like a music archaeologist rather than a backup DJ for square dance aunties.

First, we have to admit a harsh fact: while pop music is pleasant to listen to, after a while it feels like eating convenience store bento—convenient, but somehow lacking in soul. Lyrics like "I love you three thousand times" and "baby baby" make you wonder if you’re trapped in some endlessly looping romantic drama. And niche music? It’s like that inconspicuous little restaurant downstairs from your apartment, shabby on the outside, but when a bowl of noodles is served, wow, that flavor sends your taste buds soaring. So today, I’m going to take you to dig up these musical treasures; don’t let your ears only know Jay Chou and Taylor Swift (though they are indeed great, we need some new tricks).

Let’s start with the first treasure artist: Nick Drake. This guy was a British folk singer who lived in the 1970s, leaving behind only a few albums, but each song feels like it’s telling you a secret. His voice is as gentle as an autumn sweater, but the lyrics carry a hint of melancholic philosophy. For example, in the song "Pink Moon," he plays guitar and sings all by himself, so simple that you might think he casually recorded it in his bedroom, but once that melody gets into your ears, you feel like you’re sitting on a grassy field under the moonlight, with a rabbit gazing at you. How did I discover him? It’s actually quite funny; on a rainy day, I was scrolling through YouTube and clicked on a playlist called "Folk Music for Coffee," and suddenly his song popped up. I almost spilled my coffee on the keyboard, thinking, "Who is this? Why is it so good?" Later I found out that this guy was obscure during his lifetime and only became a legend after his death, truly the spokesperson for "posthumous fame" in the music world.

Speaking of ways to discover niche music, YouTube is truly a treasure trove, but you have to learn to "scroll the algorithm." Don’t keep clicking on those popular music videos, or else your homepage will forever be "Top 100 Hot Songs." My secret is to randomly search for obscure keywords, like "Icelandic indie bands" or "70s psychedelic folk," and then click in to listen casually; the algorithm will slowly lead you into a new world. Of course, sometimes it can backfire; once I searched for "experimental electronic music," and a guy in a fluorescent green bodysuit appeared banging on electronic drums, making me wonder if he was summoning aliens. But hey, it’s all about taking risks and having a bit of fun.

Next, let me recommend another treasure: Yann Tiersen. You might have heard his soundtrack for the movie "Amélie," and the piano piece "Comptine d'un autre été" is simply synonymous with French romance. But actually, his other works are even more worth exploring, like the album "L'Absente." In this album, he mixes accordion, violin, and piano, making it feel like a small concert in a French countryside tavern. As you listen to his music, you’ll feel like you should be wearing a long dress, holding a glass of red wine, and daydreaming on the balcony, rather than huddled on the sofa staring at your phone. The process of discovering him was also quite funny; I was originally looking for some background music to cook, but I got so lost in listening that I forgot to stir the vegetables, and in the end, the pot burned. My mom even asked if I was doing experimental art in the kitchen.

Speaking of channels, Spotify is also a great tool, but you have to know how to use it. Don’t just listen to that "Daily Mix," while it’s thoughtful, it always pushes me some inexplicable songs. For example, last time it recommended a "Mongolian throat singing electronic mix," and when I clicked in, I felt like I was about to be teleported to the grasslands to herd sheep. My suggestion is to directly use Spotify’s "Related Artists" feature. For instance, if you like Nick Drake, click in to see what his "fans also like," and then dig layer by layer; you’re sure to find a bunch of hidden gems. Or just search for "indie folk playlist," looking for playlists with less than 100,000 plays; they’re full of treasures.

Next, let’s talk about Pomme, a French fairy singer. Her name means "apple" in French, and listening to her songs really gives you the feeling of biting into a crisp apple. Her voice is delicate like silk, but the lyrics always carry a hint of a little girl’s stubbornness and dreaminess. For example, in "Je sais pas danser" (I Can’t Dance), the song feels like she’s pouting and saying to you, "I dance poorly, but you still have to like me." Her music is the kind that’s perfect for listening to while snuggled under the covers on a cloudy day; it’s completely unpretentious, yet it can touch a little corner of your heart. How did I discover her? It’s quite funny; I saw a video from a French blogger on X, and the background music was her song. I thought to myself, "What a heavenly voice," and then followed the clues to dig deeper, discovering she’s truly a little gem in the French indie music scene.

Speaking of X, this platform is truly an unexpected delight for discovering niche music. Although it’s currently a bit chaotic, I can still find some music enthusiasts’ recommendation posts. For example, someone might post, "Today I found an obscure jazz piece, it’s amazing," along with a link. You click in and, sure enough, it’s fantastic. Or some bloggers will directly drop a playlist link; although sometimes it’s a fishing ad, I’ve been lucky enough to find quite a few good gems. So, don’t underestimate social media; sometimes it’s more effective than your deliberate searches.

Here’s another heavyweight recommendation: Shugo Tokumaru, a Japanese genius. His music feels like a psychedelic massage for your ears, and the album "Night Piece" is filled with all sorts of strange instruments, like toy pianos, melodicas, and even pots and pans from the kitchen, mixed together in an unexpectedly harmonious way. His songs sound like the soundtrack to a fairy tale, but with a bit of neurotic humor. The first time I heard his song "Parachute," I almost laughed out loud because the melody jumps around like a drunken little sprite playing the guitar. The way I discovered him is even funnier; I saw someone recommending him on a second-hand book website, saying, "Listening to his songs is like flipping through a singing picture book." My curiosity got the better of me, and I searched for him, and then I couldn’t stop.

Speaking of methods, actually digging for CDs in physical stores is also a good way. Although fewer people listen to CDs now, every time I go to a second-hand store and sift through those dusty records, I always feel like I’m on an adventure. Once, I found an album by Vashti Bunyan called "Just Another Diamond Day" in a corner, with a cover of a hand-drawn little girl riding a horse, and I thought, "This must be something special." When I took it home and listened, sure enough, this British folk goddess’s voice is as clear as a mountain spring, and the lyrics feel like pastoral poetry, as if telling you, "Put down your phone and go run around in the fields." When she released this album, it was almost ignored, but later it became a classic in the folk world, truly a living example of "good wine needs no bush."

Another hidden treasure: Mulatu Astatke, the jazz master from Ethiopia. This guy is known as the "father of Ethiopian jazz," and his music blends African rhythms with jazz, paired with his groovy cello and saxophone, making it feel like a retro party in the desert. His song "Tezeta" is the one I play the most; every time I listen, I feel like I should be wearing a floral shirt from the 70s and dancing a retro dance. I discovered him because of the soundtrack for the movie "Broken Flowers," and I was shocked, thinking, "What kind of divine music is this?" Then I found out he’s a living legend.

Speaking of movie soundtracks, this is also a great place to dig for niche music. Many independent films can’t afford big names for their soundtracks, so they end up using works from obscure artists, which often become highlights. For example, the soundtrack for "Moonrise Kingdom" features classical music by Benjamin Britten and country songs by Hank Williams, mixed in a way that’s absolutely stunning. Later, I followed these clues to dig deeper and discovered a bunch of good obscure songs I wouldn’t normally listen to. So next time you watch a movie, don’t just focus on the plot; pay attention during the end credits, and you’re sure to find surprises.

Another method: friend recommendations. Although this sounds cliché, it really works. I have a friend who particularly loves digging for obscure bands, and once he sent me a Bandcamp link saying, "You have to listen to this, it’s absolutely stunning." I clicked in, and it was an American indie band called Big Thief; their song "Not" gave me goosebumps. The raw guitar and lead singer Adrianne Lenker’s voice are simply an emotional bomb. Later I found out they’re already somewhat known in the indie music scene, but I still felt like I had discovered a new continent.

Of course, platforms like Bandcamp are a paradise for niche music. It’s full of works uploaded by independent musicians, some of which even have hand-drawn covers, rough yet adorable. Once, I randomly clicked on a tag "dream pop," and ended up finding a band called Cigarettes After Sex; their song "Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby" has such a lazy vibe that it made me feel completely soft, like being embraced by a cloud. This band later became popular, but I still take pride in my "early discovery."

Speaking of "early discovery," the charm of niche music lies in that sense of exclusivity. As you listen, you feel like you have a mysterious connection with these artists, as if they wrote the songs just for you. For example, I recently became obsessed with Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou, an Ethiopian nun and pianist. Her piece "The Homeless Wanderer" is a pure piano piece, quiet like a late-night prayer, but with a hint of African spirit. I heard about her on a podcast, where the host called her "a forgotten musical genius." As soon as I heard that, I searched for her and found that her story is even more legendary than her music—she was a musical prodigy in her youth, later became a nun, and was rediscovered in her later years. This kind of treasure is unforgettable after just one listen.

Another treasure-hunting channel is radio, especially independent or college radio stations. Their DJs are usually music enthusiasts, and their song selections are completely unconventional. Once, I couldn’t sleep at midnight and turned on an online radio station, and I heard a song called "The Night We Met" by a band called Lord Huron. As soon as that voice and guitar came in, I was completely stunned, feeling like I was watching a black-and-white movie. Later I found out this band follows the "quirky folk" route, with lyrics full of strange stories, which is particularly captivating.

Speaking of quirky, I also have to recommend a quirky Japanese artist: Ichiko Aoba. Her songs sound like forest spirits humming, and her album "Windswept Adan" is filled with ethereal guitars and whispering vocals. As you listen, you feel like you’re floating on the sea, with dolphins greeting you. I discovered her because a friend posted on LINE saying, "I’m recently obsessed with a Japanese indie singer." After asking for more details, I found out it was her, and once I listened, I was hooked. Her music is completely unsuitable for lively occasions, but when you’re alone and quiet, it’s simply a soul spa.

Of course, digging for niche music sometimes leads to "landmines." For example, once I saw someone on Reddit raving about a style called "Vaporwave," saying it was "future retro," so I eagerly went to listen, only to find it was all slow versions of 80s mall background music, paired with bizarre electronic sound effects, making me feel like I had time-traveled to an abandoned shopping center. Later I found out this thing is a subculture joke, specifically mocking consumerism. Although I didn’t fall in love with it, I did gain some knowledge.

Speaking of Reddit, this platform is also a great place to dig for treasures. There’s a section called "r/listentothis," where users share obscure songs, some even with detailed introductions. Once, I found a band called Khruangbin there; their song "Maria También" mixes Thai funk and psychedelic rock, which is incredibly groovy. I couldn’t help but marvel at how magical the internet is, that even such a bizarre combination could be discovered by me.

Finally, let’s talk about another method: music festivals. Especially those small independent music festivals, where the ticket prices are low, but the bands that come are all potential stars. Once, I went to a local music festival and saw a band called Black Country, New Road; their live performance was explosive, blending post-punk and experimental jazz, and the lead singer even occasionally recited poetry, making me wonder if I should start writing music reviews while listening. Later, they indeed became popular, but I still feel like I gained something because I was one of the "first fans."

So, digging for niche music is, in short, an adventure. You need a bit of patience, a bit of curiosity, and a sense of humor to face those failed attempts. But once you find a song that resonates with you, it feels like striking gold, making you walk with a spring in your step. Stop fixating on the charts; bravely step into those overlooked corners; your ears deserve better treatment.