I read as much as I can;
- biographies, interviews, articles on my favorite artists to see who their favorite artists are
- top music/pop culture outlets and writers (Pitchfork, Flavorwire, Stereogum, Consequence of Sound, Jenn Pelly, Jazz Monroe, etc.) and avoid bloated, corporate relics of the Baby Boomer Media Industrial Complex like Rolling Stone or Spin.
- pay attention. When I hear something I like, I find the fastest/easiest way to note it before I forget.
- trust people with good taste. If there are a few great music writers with what I perceive to be taste similar to mine, I pay attention to what they like. I also pay attention to the recommendations of friends/acquaintances that I perceive to have taste similar to mine.
I don’t stream. I know people attest to its efficacy in algorithmically exposing them to new stuff. I don’t doubt their sincerity. I just don’t prefer being married to an algorithm for exposure to new music. YMMV.
It’s very easy and totally free to “audition” music you are interested in hearing on YouTube (an incredible amount of global recorded music history is available for free there).
From there, I decide if I like it.
If I do, I purchase the music on either CD or vinyl, or purchase the best-sounding available file on iTunes.