Sounds Like: What Brands Are Searching For and How to Position Your Music

Brands search for music using "sounds like" references. Here's what's trending in sync licensing and how to tag your tracks accordingly.

Current Trends in Sync

Music supervisors and brand creatives often search using artist comparisons: "sounds like Billie Eilish," "indie folk like Bon Iver," or "upbeat pop like HAIM." Understanding these trends helps you position your music strategically for sync licensing. Learn how to get your music in ads or discover more sync tips in our Artist Hub.

Top "Sounds Like" Searches in 2025

• "Sounds like Billie Eilish": Moody, intimate vocals with sparse production
• "Sounds like Tame Impala": Psychedelic indie rock with electronic elements
• "Sounds like Fleetwood Mac": Classic rock with nostalgic, warm vibes
• "Sounds like Khruangbin": Instrumental, global influences, chill grooves
• "Sounds like Frank Ocean": R&B with experimental production and vulnerable lyrics
• "Sounds like Phoebe Bridgers": Indie folk with melancholic, storytelling lyrics

Genre-Specific Trends

Fashion Brands are searching for bold, genre-bending tracks—think art-pop, underground hip-hop, or avant-garde electronic.

Tech Brands want modern, optimistic indie pop or ambient electronic with clean production.

Automotive Brands lean toward classic rock, Americana, or high-energy electronic.

Lifestyle Brands prefer feel-good indie pop, folk, or upbeat acoustic tracks.

How to Tag Your Music

Don't just list genres—use "sounds like" comparisons in your track descriptions. If your music genuinely evokes a well-known artist's vibe, say so. Use Spotify for Artists to update your metadata. Brands search this way, and it helps your tracks surface in the right searches. Make sure your tracks are sync-ready.

The Authenticity Test

Only use "sounds like" tags if they're accurate. Brands will listen to samples, and if your "sounds like Radiohead" track is actually pop-punk, you'll lose credibility in the music industry. Be honest and specific. Understand diversifying your income beyond sync.

About the Author

Samuel Olsson is the Head of Growth at Melody and the Managing Director of Kurve, an award-winning growth marketing agency. With over a decade of experience building scalable growth engines for tech companies, Samuel is now focused on solving the biggest problem in music: connecting the 90% of unheard artists with the brands that need their sound.

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