Browse newsletters about music criticism

Ethan teaches you music

by Dr. Ethan Hein

Dive into music theory, songwriting, and analysis with Dr. Ethan Hein, exploring pop concepts, chord progressions, and iconic songs.

A Fan's Notes,

by Nick Hornby

Novelist Nick Hornby offers his takes on music, books, movies, writing, football, TV, and occasional politics. Some longer pieces will be paywalled.

Chronicles | Vinnie Sperrazza | Substack

by Vinnie Sperrazza

Drummer and composer Vinnie Sperrazza's Chronicles features informative essays on jazz and jazz drummers, updates on his musical activities, and personal reflections.

Night After Night

by Steve Smith

Night After Night by Steve Smith offers regular cultural insights, commentary, and "For the Record" updates, often focused on music.

Evil Speakers

by Steven Hyden

Evil Speakers by Steven Hyden explores culture, focusing on where the bands are and the world of music.

BRIT POP | brittany spanos | Substack

by brittany spanos

Brittany Spanos, former Rolling Stone senior writer, brings BRIT POP: a fun dive into pop music, celebrity, and culture with reviews, essays, and playlists.

Can't Get Much Higher | Chris Dalla Riva | Substack

by Chris Dalla Riva

Chris Dalla Riva, a musician and data analyst, offers weekly, data-driven analyses of music trends from pop history to current industry insights.

Futurism Restated | Philip Sherburne | Substack

by Philip Sherburne

Veteran music journalist and DJ Philip Sherburne shares his discerning takes on new electronic and experimental music releases, featuring reviews and artist interviews.

Fast & Loose | Yasi Salek | Substack

by Yasi Salek

Yasi Salek's

Miers on Music

by Jeff Miers

Veteran music critic Jeff Miers (formerly The Buffalo News) shares passionate insights, reviews, and artist profiles, informed by his decades as a professional musician.

Greil Marcus / Letter in the Ether | Substack

by Greil Marcus

Greil Marcus's newsletter features his iconic 'Real Life Rock Top 10' column, delving into music, culture, and personal observations.

Another Thought | Dusty Henry | Substack

by Dusty Henry

Dusty Henry's Another Thought newsletter offers essays, comics, and illustrations, fostering deep, considered engagement with the daily flow of music and art.

Cadence Weapon | Substack

by Cadence Weapon

Polaris Prize winner and poet laureate Cadence Weapon (Rollie Pemberton) offers deep dives into music, artist discographies, and the future of the industry.

Tone Glow | Substack

by Tone Glow

Tone Glow features interviews with artists in experimental music and film, alongside historical capsule reviews and a focus on independent and avant-garde film screenings.

Wolf

by radicaledward

Wolf by radicaledward delivers weekly essays on books, music, movies, and games, occasionally delving into politics. The author also publishes novels.

ZERO CRED | Dan Ozzi | Substack

by Dan Ozzi

Music author Dan Ozzi's ZERO CRED newsletter offers deep dives, interviews, and rants on indie rock, punk, emo, hardcore, and music industry failures.

Black Music and Black Muses | Harmony Holiday | Substack

by Harmony Holiday

Harmony Holiday explores Black music and its muses, practicing deep listening to defy market-driven criticism and develop her American songbook memoir.

The Lizard Review | Madeline Rubicam | Substack

by Madeline Rubicam

Madeline Rubicam's "The Lizard Review" explores all genres of music, from pop to obscure bands, with playlists, new releases, and listener recommendations.

Critical Conditions

by Wayne Robins

Critical Conditions offers weekly 1,500-word stories on smart pop culture, music, and influential people, presented in a unique, memoiristic voice.

On a Pacific Aisle

by Joshua Kosman

Music critic Joshua Kosman shares insights and commentary, likely on music, arts, and culture, possibly from a West Coast perspective.

JazzWax | Substack

by Marc Myers

Three-time award winner JazzWax by Marc Myers offers intimate Q&A interviews with jazz legends and explores arts. Myers is also a Wall Street Journal contributor.

Jagged Time Lapse

by Dan Epstein

Dan Epstein explores musical obsessions, celebrating music's role in our lives, its ability to transport us through time, and offer perspective on life's challenges.

Evil Speakers - Steven Hyden

Dan explores great global music, from new releases to obscure gems across all genres. Expect personal takes and lively community discussion.

THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MAKE

by Chris Richards

This music newsletter offers reccos, rants, and reviews, exploring endangered forms and formless dangers as an expansion of the author's work as a critic.

PitchFork

Pitchfork delivers essential music news, reviews of new albums & tracks, and in-depth artist features for discerning fans.

Ray Padgett's "Flagging Down the Double E's" newsletter explores unique corners of music, delivering deep dives, forgotten histories, and fresh perspectives.