| name | Research Artist for Suno |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "research an artist", "analyze [artist] style", "study [song]", "look up [artist] patterns", or wants to explore musical patterns before creating a Suno song. Automatically launches song-researcher sub-agent for comprehensive pattern analysis from web sources. |
| version | 1.0.0 |
Research Artist for Suno
Independently research artist styles and song patterns to inform Suno prompt creation. Get comprehensive analysis of lyrical structure, musical patterns, and production characteristics before writing a song.
Purpose
This skill provides standalone artist/song research capabilities using the same automated research sub-agent used in the main Suno Song Creator workflow. Use it when you want to understand an artist's style before creating a song, or when you're exploring musical patterns for inspiration.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- Exploring an artist's style before song creation
- Studying specific song patterns for inspiration
- Researching multiple artists to compare styles
- Gathering pattern data for later use
- Learning about lyrical structures and techniques
- Understanding genre-specific production approaches
Example triggers:
- "Research Phoebe Bridgers' style"
- "Analyze Sabrina Carpenter's Manchild"
- "Study Taylor Swift's folklore era patterns"
- "Look up The National's lyrical patterns"
- "What are Bon Iver's signature characteristics?"
Usage
Research an Artist (General Style)
/research-artist Phoebe Bridgers
/research-artist The National
/research-artist boygenius
What happens:
- Skill extracts artist name from your request
- Launches song-researcher sub-agent automatically
- Sub-agent performs web research (Genius, HookTheory, Spotify)
- Sub-agent analyzes 3-4 representative songs
- Returns structured research report with patterns
Research a Specific Song
/research-artist Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild
/research-artist Phoebe Bridgers - Motion Sickness
/research-artist Taylor Swift - All Too Well
What happens:
- Skill extracts artist name AND specific song
- Launches song-researcher sub-agent
- Sub-agent performs deep analysis of that specific song
- Sub-agent also analyzes 2-3 other songs from same artist for context
- Returns comprehensive report with song-specific patterns plus artist context
Research Workflow
Automated Web Research
The song-researcher sub-agent automatically:
From Genius.com:
- Fetches complete lyrics
- Extracts song structure markers (Verse, Chorus, Bridge)
- Collects annotations and context
From HookTheory.com / Chord Sites:
- Searches for chord progressions
- Extracts key signatures if available
- Notes musical theory elements
From Spotify / Music Sites:
- Identifies genre tags
- Finds similar artists
- Gathers production context
Pattern Extraction
Lyrical Patterns Analyzed:
- Syllable counts: Lines per section, consistency patterns
- Rhyme scheme: AABB, ABAB, ABCB, loose/tight rhyming
- Structure: Verse/chorus/bridge line counts, repetition
- Metaphors: Central metaphor systems, imagery patterns
- Vocabulary: Characteristic word choices, formality level
- Emotional arc: Progression through song sections
Musical Context:
- Chord progressions: Common patterns, key signatures
- Production style: Recording techniques, instrumentation
- Vocal delivery: Range, dynamics, characteristic techniques
Multi-Song Synthesis
When researching a specific song:
- Primary analysis: Deep dive into that specific song
- Context songs: Analyze 2-3 other representative tracks
- Pattern synthesis: Identify what's consistent (artist signature) vs. variable (song-specific)
When researching an artist generally:
- Analyzes 3-4 representative popular songs
- Identifies consistent patterns across catalog
- Notes variations and evolution
Research Report Format
Receive a structured markdown report with:
# Research Report: [Artist] - [Song if specified]
## Research Quality
- **Confidence Score:** [90-100% / 70-89% / 50-69% / <50%]
- **Sources Used:** Genius ✓/✗, Chords ✓/✗, Spotify/Context ✓/✗
- **Songs Analyzed:** [count] total
- **Primary Song:** [song name if specific]
- **Context Songs:** [other songs analyzed]
## Primary Song Analysis (if specific song)
### Lyrical Structure
- Syllable patterns: [X-Y per line, consistency notes]
- Rhyme scheme: [AABB/ABAB/ABCB/etc.]
- Verse structure: [lines, pattern]
- Chorus structure: [lines, pattern]
### Thematic Elements
- Central metaphor: [description]
- Emotional arc: [progression]
- Characteristic vocabulary: [word choices]
- Tone: [intimate/playful/melancholic/etc.]
### Musical Context
- Chord progression: [if available]
- Key: [if available]
- Production notes: [style, instrumentation]
## Artist Context
### Consistent Patterns (Artist Signature)
- Syllable tendencies: [consistent across songs]
- Rhyme preferences: [typical schemes]
- Metaphor approach: [concrete vs. abstract]
- Production style: [lo-fi/polished/etc.]
### Variations Across Songs
- [what changes song to song]
- [stylistic range]
## Recommendations for Suno Prompt
**Genre Section:**
genre: "[specific genre descriptors from research]"
**Vocal Section:**
vocal: "[delivery style, range, characteristics from research]"
**Lyrical Guidance:**
- Syllable targets: [X-Y verses, X-Y chorus]
- Rhyme scheme: [recommended pattern]
- Metaphor approach: [concrete/abstract balance]
- Tone: [recommended emotional register]
**Production Notes:**
instrumentation: "[from research]"
production: "[from research]"
recording: "[realism descriptors if applicable]"
## Research Limitations
- [What data was unavailable]
- [Sources that didn't have information]
- [Caveats about analysis]
Confidence Scoring
90-100% (Comprehensive):
- All 3 sources provided data
- Multiple songs analyzed successfully
- Complete pattern extraction possible
- High certainty in recommendations
70-89% (Good):
- 2/3 sources provided data
- At least one complete song analyzed
- Patterns identified with reasonable confidence
- Recommendations solid but with some gaps
50-69% (Basic):
- 1/3 sources provided partial data
- Limited song analysis
- Patterns tentative
- Recommendations cautious
<50% (Insufficient):
- Very limited data available
- Artist/song not found or minimal info
- Proceed with caution
- Manual research may be needed
Usage Examples
Example 1: Research Artist Before Creating Song
User: /research-artist Phoebe Bridgers
Main Agent: "I'll research Phoebe Bridgers' style to understand her patterns..."
Main Agent: [Launches song-researcher sub-agent]
Song Researcher: [Fetches data from Genius (Motion Sickness, Scott Street, Kyoto)]
Song Researcher: [Searches for chord progressions on HookTheory]
Song Researcher: [Gathers genre context from Spotify/AllMusic]
Song Researcher: [Analyzes syllable patterns, rhyme schemes, metaphors]
Song Researcher: [Returns structured report]
Main Agent: "Research complete! Analyzed 3 songs: 'Motion Sickness', 'Scott Street', 'Kyoto'."
Main Agent: [Displays research report with patterns]
Key findings:
- Syllables: 8-10 per line in verses, 6-9 in chorus
- Rhyme: Loose ABCB, prefers slant rhymes over exact
- Metaphors: Concrete imagery (car crashes, specific places)
- Tone: Confessional, intimate, lo-fi aesthetic
- Production: Bedroom pop, minimal, soft dynamics
User can then: Use findings to inform Suno song creation, save report for reference, or continue main workflow with research context
Example 2: Research Specific Song
User: /research-artist Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild
Main Agent: "I'll research Sabrina Carpenter's 'Manchild' in depth..."
Main Agent: [Launches song-researcher sub-agent]
Song Researcher: [Primary: Deep analysis of 'Manchild']
Song Researcher: [Context: Analyzes 'Nonsense', 'Feather' for patterns]
Song Researcher: [Synthesizes song-specific vs. artist-consistent patterns]
Song Researcher: [Returns structured report]
Main Agent: "Research complete! Primary song: 'Manchild' + context from 2 other tracks."
Main Agent: [Displays comprehensive report]
Key findings for 'Manchild':
- Syllables: 7-9 per line, very consistent
- Rhyme: AABB couplets, exact rhymes
- Metaphor: Extended "manchild" metaphor throughout
- Tone: Playful sarcasm, witty observations
- Production: Modern pop, bright, punchy
Artist context (from other songs):
- Consistent: Witty wordplay, relationship commentary
- Variable: 'Manchild' more sarcastic than usual romantic tracks
User can then: Understand specific song's unique qualities vs. artist's general style
Example 3: Compare Multiple Artists
User: I want to understand the difference between Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker's styles
Main Agent: "I'll research both artists separately..."
[Researches Phoebe Bridgers]
[Researches Julien Baker]
Main Agent: "Here's the comparison based on research:
**Phoebe Bridgers:**
- Syllables: 8-10, looser
- Rhyme: Slant rhymes, loose ABCB
- Metaphors: Concrete imagery (places, objects)
- Production: Bedroom pop, soft
**Julien Baker:**
- Syllables: 9-11, tighter
- Rhyme: More exact rhymes, ABAB
- Metaphors: Religious imagery, abstract concepts
- Production: Lo-fi indie rock, emotional dynamics"
Integration with Main Workflow
Standalone usage:
Use /research-artist independently when exploring styles before creating a song.
Automatic usage in main workflow:
When you use the main Suno Song Creator skill and mention an artist reference, the song-researcher sub-agent launches automatically—you don't need to call this skill manually.
Example workflow:
- Use
/research-artist Phoebe Bridgers to study style
- Review research report
- Later: "Create a sad indie folk song" (main Suno workflow)
- Reference findings from earlier research when building prompt
Note: Research is NOT cached across sessions. Each invocation performs fresh web research.
Error Handling
Artist Not Found
If the artist is not found or has minimal data:
- Sub-agent tries alternative spellings
- Searches for similar artists
- Returns partial results with low confidence score
- Recommends manual research
Example output:
## Research Limitations
- Artist "XYZ" not found on Genius or Spotify
- Attempted alternative spellings with no results
- Confidence: <50% (Insufficient)
- Recommendation: Verify artist name spelling or try related artists
Limited Data Available
If some sources provide data but others don't:
- Uses available sources
- Notes which sources failed
- Provides partial analysis
- Flags confidence score accordingly
Example output:
## Research Quality
- Sources Used: Genius ✓, Chords ✗ (not available), Spotify ✓
- Confidence: 65% (Basic)
- Note: Chord progressions not available for this artist
Specific Song Not Found
If researching specific song that can't be located:
- Falls back to artist's popular songs
- Analyzes general style instead
- Notes in report that specific song unavailable
Example output:
## Research Limitations
- Specific song "XYZ" not found
- Analyzed 3 other popular songs instead: [list]
- General artist patterns provided
Best Practices
Before using:
- Have artist name and/or song title ready
- Consider if you want general style or specific song analysis
- Be prepared to review structured report
When reviewing results:
- Check confidence score (>70% is good, <50% needs caution)
- Note which sources provided data
- Identify patterns vs. limitations
- Use recommendations as starting point, not rigid rules
After research:
- Save report if needed for later reference
- Use findings to inform Suno prompt sections
- Adapt patterns to your song's unique needs
- Don't copy verbatim—use as inspiration
Technical Details
Sub-Agent Architecture
This skill uses the Task tool to launch the song-researcher sub-agent:
Task tool:
subagent_type: "song-researcher"
description: "Research artist patterns"
prompt: "Research [Artist] - [Song if mentioned]. User wants to understand style patterns."
Sub-agent tools:
- Read: Access reference materials in
references/ directory
- Grep: Search reference materials for patterns
- WebFetch: Fetch content from Genius, HookTheory, Spotify
- WebSearch: Find artist pages, song pages, context
Sub-agent context:
- Independent context (no shared conversation history)
- No knowledge of skill invocation method
- Receives only artist/song names and research request
- Returns structured markdown report
Reference Materials
Sub-agent can access:
../references/artist-research-guide.md - Research techniques and analysis methods../references/meta-tags-reference.md - Meta tag patterns for Suno../references/realism-descriptors.md - Production vocabulary../references/genre-clouds.md - Genre characteristic patterns
These references inform analysis but are not included in report output.
Limitations
What this skill does NOT do:
- Does not cache research across sessions
- Does not create Suno prompts (use main Suno Song Creator for that)
- Does not access paid/subscription music theory sites
- Does not analyze audio files directly
- Does not provide chord progressions if unavailable on web
What it DOES do:
- Automated web research from free sources
- Structured pattern extraction
- Multi-song comparative analysis
- Confidence-scored recommendations
- Graceful degradation when data limited
Related Skills
Main Suno Song Creator (/suno-song-creator):
Use when you want to create a complete Suno prompt. Includes automated research when artist mentioned, plus prompt building, lyric writing, and file export.
Review Suno Song (/review-song):
Use after creating a prompt to get quality assessment from independent reviewer. Checks for AI-slop, clichés, rhyme quality, style-lyric fit.
Skill Workflow Summary
- Extract: Parse artist name and optional song from user request
- Launch: Use Task tool to invoke song-researcher sub-agent
- Research: Sub-agent performs automated web fetching from 3 sources
- Analyze: Sub-agent extracts patterns (syllables, rhyme, metaphors, etc.)
- Synthesize: Sub-agent compares across multiple songs if applicable
- Score: Sub-agent rates confidence based on data quality
- Report: Sub-agent returns structured markdown report
- Display: Main agent presents findings to user
- Save (optional): User can save report or use findings immediately
Implementation Notes
When invoked:
- Parse user input for artist name and optional song
- Construct research request for sub-agent
- Launch via Task tool
- Wait for structured report
- Display results to user
Input variations handled:
- "Phoebe Bridgers" → artist-only research
- "Phoebe Bridgers - Motion Sickness" → specific song + context
- "Phoebe Bridgers Motion Sickness" (no dash) → parse correctly
- "Research Taylor Swift folklore" → artist + era hint
Output handling:
- Display full structured report
- Highlight confidence score prominently
- Note any limitations or missing data
- Provide actionable next steps
No user input required:
Artist/song name provided in initial skill invocation. Sub-agent performs research automatically and returns complete report.
