YouTube Launches "Disco"

YouTube quietly launched a playlist creation tool called the YouTube Music Discovery Project, otherwise dubbed "Disco." It looks like a standard search tool, where users enter in the name of an artist they like and then click the "disco" button. The resulting page will give you a quick bio of that artist, stream a random music video by that artist, compile a playlist of all music on YouTube available from that artist and of videos from similar artists. Users can edit the playlist by adding or deleting songs, skip videos, and save and name their favorite playlists to a special playlist page, as well as share them via e-mail with others.

It seems like YouTube’s is responding to Pandora and Last.fm and is similar to the Genius option on iTunes, working off the slogan "Find > Mix > Watch."

For instance, a search for Pearl Jam results in a playlist stocked with Eddie Vedder & Co., plus videos by fellow Seattle grunge all-stars like Nirvana and Soundgarden and ’90s rockers like Smashing Pumpkins and Black Crowes. Not much for “discovery” as the vast majority of Pearl Jam fans are already well aware of these other bands, but the Pearl Jam list might introduce fans to the handful of obscure Screaming Trees music videos that YouTube suggests. Similarly, Disco search of Miike Snow will not only result in a list of the Swedish trio's work, but also give you videos of Lykke Li, Peter Bjorn and John, The Neptunes, and Gossip.

However, here’s a surefire sign Disco is still brand new, under construction, and working out the bugs: Search "Radiohead" and the other suggested artists are simply "head" bands like Diamond Head, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Murray Head. Is Disco revolutionary? Probably not, but it’ll likely steal a few clicks from other music recommendation sites. Considering YouTube’s big push behind Vevo, it’s a little strange that this new music feature is launching via regular YouTube and not its new music site, which the record labels prefer you visit. At any rate, it's nice to have a "genius" list of videos prepared for you of your favorite artists. I even stumbled across a couple videos that I didn't even know existed from some of my favorite artists. Check it out and let me know what you think.