The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Music of 'Samurai Champloo'

Animation Obsessive • 20809 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
🎶 Music Hip-hop Composition Music Production Music history Music culture
  1. A director deliberately fused hip hop with samurai-era storytelling and made music a central, visible part of the show instead of just background accompaniment.
  2. He hired underground, jazzy hip-hop producers like Nujabes, Tsutchie, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature and gave them creative freedom so the soundtrack often competes with the visuals, creating tension and unexpected emotional layers.
  3. That melancholic, lo-fi, jazz-influenced sound didn’t catch on in Japan at first but became a big international hit and helped popularize the lo-fi/jazz-hip-hop aesthetic in animation and beyond.

The Dream of the 90s is Dead at SXSW

Dada Drummer Almanach • 360 implied HN points • 22 Mar 26
🎶 Music Music Industry Festivals Labor Rights Streaming AI Tech Companies
  1. SXSW has shifted from a musician-centered festival to a tech and corporate showcase. Far fewer bands registered (around 800 vs the 1500–2000+ of earlier years), and the indie vibe has been replaced by corporate presence and glass towers.
  2. Activists forced some concessions — higher pay for official showcases and a pledge to cut ties to weapons manufacturers — but compensation remains far from fair and the festival still hosted military-linked AI events offsite at places like Capital Factory.
  3. Big music-industry figures are investing in military and AI firms while AI was a headline topic at the festival, raising serious ethical concerns about the future of music and its ties to warfare and surveillance.

The Live Music Event That Changed My Life

The Honest Broker • 15825 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🎶 Music Jazz Live performance Music education Music history
  1. A single live performance can instantly reveal a life-changing passion and point someone toward their true vocation. It can feel like everything in life led up to that one moment.
  2. The immediacy of live jazz — close quarters, improvisation, and subtle musician interactions — creates unique, unrepeatable experiences that recordings can’t fully capture. Those in-the-moment events are often the real heart of the music.
  3. A transformative musical experience can trigger intense practice and dedication, leading to real skill development and professional opportunities. Even if a performing career later ends, the direction and meaning given by that moment endure.

Maybe God is a curious God

Blackbird Spyplane • 1958 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎶 Music Artist interviews Album Reviews Songwriting Cultural Commentary Live performance
  1. Father John Misty thinks that writing long songs can be as effective as short ones. He usually writes big, unstructured pieces that turn into several songs later.
  2. He reflects on how fame has taught him humility and changed his perspective on music. His recent experiences as a parent have also influenced his songwriting and personal growth.
  3. The new album explores themes of identity and existence, suggesting that our experiences might be part of a larger, non-human consciousness. He sees God as a curious presence that experiences life through individual human experiences.

Towards an Alternative Canon of Millennial Pop

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1244 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🎶 Music Pop Indie Electronic Alternative Music journalism Music history
  1. Between roughly 2009 and 2018 a loose, internet-native wave of artists fused electronic production with strong pop songwriting to make some of the era's best, most timeless songs. Many of these tracks were anthemic and inventive but never became mainstream hits.
  2. There was no central curator like MTV’s 120 Minutes, and music media and industry shifts (including commercialization and 'poptimism') meant this music stayed scattered in niche corners instead of reaching wide audiences.
  3. Naming and defending this alternate Millennial pop canon matters — building new ways to curate and promote these artists could help the best music reach more people and alter contemporary pop culture for the better.
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My Warning About AI Music from 1988

The Honest Broker • 14029 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🎶 Music Jazz Aesthetics Criticism AI music Performance History
  1. Human imperfections are central to artistic expression; mistakes and rough edges can make music more expressive and emotionally powerful.
  2. Art is an expressive human activity, so works produced by machines—even if technically flawless—are categorically different from human-created masterpieces and lack the same expressive meaning.
  3. AI that closely imitates human creativity can feel unsettling, and this gap between human artistry and machine imitation can’t be bridged merely by better algorithms.

The Plastic People Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1085 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🎶 Music Nightlife Clubs Electronic Music Sound Systems Music Production
  1. A tiny, dark room with a clean, powerful sound system made listening the main thing, not spectacle.
  2. Because DJs could play new tracks straight from their gear, the club became a fast, real-world test lab where producers heard how songs actually behaved on a serious system.
  3. As a low-pressure counterpoint to big venues, it rewarded restraint and let DJs, producers, and regulars quietly pressure-test music — tracks lived or died by whether they could hold the room.

Why I Don't Like Live Steely Dan

Life Since the Baby Boom • 2075 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🎶 Music Live performance Audio engineering Music Production Music Criticism
  1. Steely Dan's live mixes often sound too bright and harsh because peaks in the 3–7 kHz range and sharp transients aren't tamed, which makes listening fatiguing compared to the smoother studio versions.
  2. The concerts can feel sterile and low-energy because the players act like studio session musicians, and added horns or extra parts sometimes clutter songs instead of adding excitement.
  3. Live sound depends heavily on mixing and arrangement choices — when engineers control the “pain” frequencies and craft warm, full mixes (as with ELO or Little Feat) a live show feels lively, while venue reverb and mic choices in classical performance create a very different, blended spectrum.

My Favorite Music for Meditation

The Honest Broker • 7812 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🎶 Music Ambient Classical Jazz Instrumental Meditation
  1. Giving up screen time to make room for regular meditation can cut through digital noise and bring noticeable calm and clarity.
  2. Including music in meditation can deepen the practice, helping create trance-like or "oceanic" feelings of unity and peace.
  3. Long, immersive recordings—such as John Luther Adams' Become Ocean or Miles Davis' In a Silent Way—are especially effective soundtracks for meditation.

I Blame Jan Garbarek

The Honest Broker • 14162 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎶 Music Jazz Biography Criticism History World music Collaboration
  1. Jan Garbarek helped create a distinct European jazz identity with a cool, spacious "ECM" sound that stood apart from American jazz and let European artists flourish at home.
  2. He started out steeped in U.S. models like Coltrane but evolved into his own voice, moving from fiery post‑bop to a haunting, minimalist saxophone style.
  3. Garbarek and producer Manfred Eicher championed bold cross‑cultural collaborations that blurred jazz with world, folk, and early music, expanding what jazz could be.

Four Perspectives on Bing Crosby

The Honest Broker • 17853 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🎶 Music Biography Music history Popular music Jazz Collaborations
  1. His singing had a powerful, real-world effect for troops in WWII. It comforted and softened soldiers, showing how popular music can sustain humanity in extreme times.
  2. He was musically adaptable and unflappable, effortlessly navigating advanced jazz changes and staying cool when playing with younger, avant-garde musicians.
  3. He influenced technology and teamwork by funding tape recording innovations that helped launch later data storage advances, and by modeling long-lasting, ego-free partnerships like his friendship and films with Bob Hope.

You and I Meet in a Cosy Cafe

a constellation • 297 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Music Production Creative Process Music Industry
  1. Writer's block can happen to anyone, and it's okay to not feel like writing sometimes. Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and we just need a break.
  2. It’s normal to want to keep certain creative projects private until they feel ready. Sometimes it feels special to keep things to ourselves.
  3. Feeling stuck on what to write about is common. It's important to remember that writing should be enjoyable, not just for others' expectations.

Paul McCartney Invents a New Kind of Protest Song

The Honest Broker • 22308 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🎶 Music Artists Music Industry Copyright AI Record Labels
  1. Paul McCartney led hundreds of musicians in releasing an album of empty studio recordings as a protest against AI, with proceeds going to help musicians.
  2. Prominent creators like Vince Gilligan and Guillermo del Toro openly reject AI as a form of creative theft and a threat to human artistry.
  3. Major companies are striking deals with AI firms and settling lawsuits for profit, undermining artists' rights and creating a new culture war whose outcome may depend on audiences and stronger copyright enforcement.

Why Do So Many Big Artists Hate Touring?

The Seat of Loss • 17 implied HN points • 23 Mar 26
🎶 Music Live performance Celebrity Culture Music Industry Technology impact
  1. Online fame can launch artists into big tours before they’re ready, leaving them anxious, burned out, and often unable to meet live-audience expectations.
  2. Touring has become the music industry’s primary revenue engine, creating relentless schedules and production demands that erode privacy, safety, and mental health for performers.
  3. Automation and virtual idols could supply flawless, always-on performances that reward consistency over human flaws, forcing real artists to adapt or be outcompeted.

An Introduction to Stan Getz in 10 Tracks

The Honest Broker • 7413 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🎶 Music Jazz Biography Albums
  1. He’s best known for his bossa nova crossover hits like “The Girl from Ipanema,” and he even won a Grammy for the Getz/Gilberto album.
  2. Most listeners only hear the radio hits, but his discography contains many lesser-known recordings that reveal a much wider range and artistic evolution.
  3. Specific tracks show his depth: his reverent performance of “Blood Count” demonstrates emotional maturity, while the string‑arranged Focus project highlights his tone and willingness to explore unusual formats.

The Ugly Truth About Spotify Is Finally Revealed

The Honest Broker • 155259 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎶 Music Streaming Production Journalism Industry Ethics
  1. Spotify has been using fake artists to fill playlists, leading to confusion about real musicians. Many tracks are distributed under different names, suggesting a strategy to minimize royalty payments.
  2. An investigative journalist revealed that Spotify has a program aimed at promoting cheaper music, often created without the involvement of human musicians. This raises concerns about the ethical treatment of artists.
  3. There is a call for greater transparency and regulation in the music streaming industry. Some believe that a cooperative platform owned by musicians and labels could be a better solution.

The Rock Star Who Couldn't Sing or Play a Note

The Honest Broker • 12400 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎶 Music History Industry Artists Pop Music Marketing Cultural impact
  1. The music industry shifted from trusting musical expertise to prioritizing image and commercial appeal over actual talent, sidelining aesthetic judgment.
  2. A 1958 example showed producers could manufacture hits by using a charismatic non-singer who spoke or ‘rapped’ over music and pairing them with a real vocalist, proving marketability could trump ability.
  3. That formula helped normalize influencer-style fame, appearance-driven acts, and formulaic pairings that still shape mainstream popular music today.

Will West Coast Jazz Finally Get Some Respect?

The Honest Broker • 8610 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🎶 Music Jazz History Film Artists Legacy
  1. West Coast jazz was historically marginalized and often dismissed by the jazz establishment, even when its musicians had significant success. Those players deserve recognition as an important part of jazz history.
  2. A new documentary project aims to tell the definitive story of West Coast jazz but is struggling for funding and public attention. People can help by donating, sharing the project, or otherwise spreading the word.
  3. Many West Coast musicians were forgotten, lived in poverty, and efforts to preserve their oral histories have been underfunded. Grassroots advocacy and financial support are needed to rescue and celebrate their legacy.

A Deep Dive Into 'I Feel Fine'

The Ruffian • 1014 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🎶 Music Music history Songwriting Production Popular music Music theory Cultural impact
  1. I Feel Fine compresses a long musical lineage into two minutes — its riff can be traced from Dizzy Gillespie’s Latin-jazz ideas through Bobby Parker and R&B into the Beatles’ pop form.
  2. The Beatles used simple material with bold studio and arrangement choices — a riff-based structure, Ringo’s Latin-jazz beat, three-part harmonies, and the first deliberate guitar feedback — to turn a throwaway tune into something memorable.
  3. The song shows how 20th-century music mixed across genres and borders — Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, R&B and rock fed into each other and then were broadcast worldwide through popular acts.

The 100 Best Recordings of 2025 (Part 1 of 2)

The Honest Broker • 6582 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🎶 Music New releases Music Criticism Discovery World music Jazz Classical
  1. The author curated a top 100 list of the best recordings of 2025 after listening to over a thousand new releases, aiming to highlight the year’s standout music.
  2. The first 50 titles are published in alphabetical order and showcase a wide, global mix of genres and lesser-known artists, with links so readers can sample the music.
  3. Full access and archives are behind a subscription, with an option to support the work for $6/month and a 7-day free trial.

’Fast Car‘

Steady • 23998 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎶 Music Music history Music Performance
  1. Tracy Chapman's performance of 'Fast Car' with Luke Combs at the Grammys was a standout and resonated with many fans both old and new.
  2. Chapman's iconic performance of 'Fast Car' at the 1988 Nelson Mandela tribute concert propelled her to new heights, earning her three Grammys.
  3. The song 'Fast Car' continues to have a lasting impact, with Luke Combs' cover reaching number one on the country charts and introducing the song to a new generation of fans.

Janis Ian

Van Cliburn Punched Me In The Mouth • 99 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Artist interviews Music Industry
  1. Janis Ian finds a community in Nashville that supports songwriters. She appreciates the polite and welcoming environment compared to New York.
  2. Her recent album, 'Folk Is The New Black,' is the easiest one she’s ever made, showing a cohesive flow and emotional depth. She focuses on expressing feelings without unnecessary filler in her lyrics.
  3. The music industry is changing rapidly, and artists now have to be more independent and proactive. This shift means they need to handle more business tasks themselves, which can take time away from creating music.

The 100 Best Recordings of 2025 (Part 2 of 2)

The Honest Broker • 4953 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🎶 Music Album Reviews Music Criticism World music Jazz
  1. A wide-ranging, alphabetical survey of the year’s best recordings that deliberately covers all genres, styles, and regions.
  2. The list spotlights many lesser-known artists and cross-border collaborations, emphasizing fresh, boundary-crossing sounds rather than mainstream hits.
  3. It includes direct links to sample music, mixes new releases with archival or rare material, and encourages subscribing for full access to the complete list.

Willie On My Mind

Steady • 24136 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🎶 Music Songs Interview Concerts
  1. The song 'Always On My Mind' by Willie Nelson is a classic that many people associate with special moments in their lives.
  2. Willie Nelson turned 90+ years old, had a documentary about his life on Paramount+, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  3. The author shares a personal connection with Willie Nelson and wishes him luck on his tours.

Brian Wilson Is My Brick

The Honest Broker • 26397 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🎶 Music Music history Songwriting Cultural impact Personal narrative
  1. Having a special object, like a brick from school, can remind us of our roots and where we come from. It's important to cherish those memories as they shape who we are.
  2. Being different or feeling like an outsider can be tough, especially in youth, but it can also be a strength later in life. Embracing that uniqueness can lead to personal growth and success.
  3. Music can express feelings that are hard to put into words. Artists like Brian Wilson show us that being open about our struggles can connect us with others who feel the same way.

Why Do Children Hate Music Lessons?

The Honest Broker • 17221 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🎶 Music Education Performance Pedagogy Culture Psychology
  1. Children often dislike music lessons because they feel boring and formal, unlike the fun of making music for joy. Switching the focus from 'lessons' to 'play' can change this experience.
  2. The pressure from parents and the educational system makes music feel like a chore, not a hobby. This can take away the excitement and fun of learning an instrument.
  3. Competitions and perfectionism in music lessons can ruin the enjoyment children get from playing music. It's important to create an environment where making music is fun and not just about being the best.

Darius Rucker

Steady • 22799 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎶 Music Celebrity Philanthropy Race Success
  1. Darius Rucker is a successful country music artist with a big heart for philanthropy.
  2. He has supported causes like childhood cancer treatment and Musicians on Call.
  3. Rucker's journey in country music breaks stereotypes and highlights progress in the genre.

Playing for Change

Steady • 20558 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎶 Music Music education Social Change
  1. A new rendition of John Mayer's song brought together 100 artists from around the world to raise awareness about climate change.
  2. Playing For Change is a global nonprofit that offers arts education to marginalized young people in 17 countries.
  3. Music has positive effects on the brain, enhancing cognition, memory, literacy, creativity, and self-confidence.

Record Labels Are Running on Empty

The Honest Broker • 17919 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🎶 Music Music Industry Cultural Trends Media Investments Artists
  1. Record labels are focusing more on old music instead of investing in new artists. This trend shows a lack of faith in the future of music.
  2. Big record companies are becoming more like businesses that manage copyrights instead of nurturing new talent. This shift could hurt the music industry long-term.
  3. If the music industry doesn't support new artists, fans might seek music elsewhere. There needs to be a push to create new music for the health of the culture.

We Are Winning! (Update)

The Honest Broker • 15392 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎶 Music Industry News AI music Streaming Artist Rights Policy Changes
  1. Spotify is responding to criticism by taking steps to prevent unauthorized AI tracks from being uploaded. This shows they are listening to feedback.
  2. The company has a clear policy against impersonation and has acted against those who violate their content policies.
  3. There's a sign that public pressure is working, as platforms are starting to take responsible actions regarding AI content.

An EGOT for Elton

Steady • 17551 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎶 Music Entertainment Music videos
  1. Elton John joined the elite group of EGOT winners with his recent Emmy win.
  2. Sir Elton's music has been bringing joy for decades, with hits like 'Tiny Dancer.'
  3. A stunning video was created for 'Tiny Dancer,' celebrating the 50-year friendship between Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

💌 Liner Notes: Cascade

a constellation • 138 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Album Music genres Music Production
  1. The song 'Cascade' is about the journey of rocks, inspired by the sedimentary cycle. It reflects the idea of change and transformation.
  2. Sometimes songwriting can come easily, but certain parts, like the bridge in 'Cascade,' can take more time and thought to express deep emotions.
  3. The singer encourages listeners to explore her music and shares her creative process, letting them know that there's more to come from her debut album.

"The Infrastructure of the Recording Industry Is About to Fail”

The Honest Broker • 35074 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🎶 Music Streaming Production
  1. The Hollywood industry is facing major problems, with many production companies moving away from California to other states and countries. This shift is caused by a mix of factors, including declining investments in new movies and changing viewer habits.
  2. Movie theaters aren't attracting audiences like before; ticket sales are dropping significantly. Creators, including famous directors, are considering other platforms like theater, which offer more stability and better audience engagement.
  3. Streaming services are prioritizing profits over original content, making it harder for creators to earn money. The industry needs to support creative talent more and explore new, independent platforms that give creators a bigger share of profits.

A New ’Joy‘ in Jazz

Steady • 13994 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎶 Music Jazz Genre Social media
  1. Samara Joy is a rising star in the world of jazz music.
  2. She has a unique style that blends classic jazz with gospel influences.
  3. Joy is using her social media presence to introduce jazz to a younger audience.

The Soul of the Soul of 1960s Soul

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 552 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🎶 Music Soul R&B Music history Live performance
  1. A revisionist take on 1960s soul spotlights artists like Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Etta James and Freddie King and a landmark 1966 Dallas TV show as crucial to post‑war American musical culture.
  2. All profits from the post are being donated to an immigrant legal services and defense fund, with a promise to publish receipts.
  3. The fundraising pitch is wrapped in a bizarre, attention‑grabbing anecdote about a community member’s run‑in with ICE and a withheld recording, used to drive subscriptions and support.

Driving in Circles

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 12940 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎶 Music Cultural impact Artists Song analysis Music Industry
  1. Tracy Chapman's song 'Fast Car' holds generational significance, connecting people across time through shared experiences and emotions.
  2. The song 'Fast Car' transcends eras, evolving from a narrative about Reagan-era struggles to a modern anthem of survival and reflection on American society.
  3. Music, like Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car,' serves as a powerful medium for empathy, reflection, and social commentary, resonating across generations and stirring emotions.

Margaritaville

Steady • 24863 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🎶 Music Lifestyle Legacy
  1. Jimmy Buffett exemplified the American Dream by creating a successful career around his lifestyle and unique style of music.
  2. Buffett showed that following your own path and being true to yourself can lead to fame and fortune.
  3. His music, fun and full of wordplay, created a loyal community of fans called Parrotheads, who found joy and a sense of belonging in his work.

The Rise and Fall of Sly Stone

The Honest Broker • 15392 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🎶 Music Musicians Legends Addiction Biography Culture
  1. Sly Stone was a talented musician who peaked in his career early, creating hits that defined an era. Despite his early success, he struggled with addiction and self-destruction, leading to a long and painful decline.
  2. His life became a tragic story of missed opportunities for comebacks, marked by negative news and personal struggles. Instead of returning to music, he often appeared in headlines for the wrong reasons.
  3. In later years, Stone tried to turn his life around, claiming to overcome his addiction, but much of his story remains one of disappointment. Many fans wished for a redeeming comeback, but it never fully materialized.