The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

First Floor #204 – An Unexpected Revival

First Floor • 157 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎶 Music Electronic Ambient Experimental
  1. Emo music references are unexpectedly appearing in various music genres and discussions.
  2. The First Floor newsletter focuses primarily on electronic music news, articles, and new track recommendations.
  3. The newsletter features insights on music journalism, album releases, and recommendations from artists in the music industry.

The Desperate Straights Edition

Why is this interesting? • 180 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🎶 Music Genres Albums Artists Lyrics History
  1. The album 'Desperate Straights' combines many different music styles in a unique way, mixing genres like opera and pop.
  2. The lyrics are clever and playful, with the singer's distinctive voice adding to the album's charm.
  3. It's a challenging listen at first, but it becomes more rewarding with each play, making it a true musical masterpiece.
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Day 16, Capn's Log: No Faces Have Been Punched. Today.

Look What You Made Me Do • 314 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🎶 Music Touring Performances Memoir Fans Band
  1. The Euro tour concluded without any unscheduled violence during OXBOW's performances.
  2. The author reflects on memorable moments and challenges during the tour, including interactions with security, unique venues, audience reactions, and personal experiences.
  3. Strong emotional connections with audiences in various cities, like Poland and Austria, were highlights of the tour.

Peter Farrelly was a Danfan first

Expanding Dan • 314 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎶 Music Filmmaking Songwriting Music Industry Music history
  1. Peter Farrelly discovered Steely Dan while at a boarding school and was deeply moved by their music, leading to a lifelong appreciation.
  2. Farrelly's interaction with Walter Becker for the 'Me, Myself & Irene' soundtrack showcased his passion for Steely Dan and the importance of their music in his films.
  3. Farrelly reflects on his career, his love for Steely Dan's less popular songs, and the inspiration he drew from creative duos like the Zucker brothers and his unconventional encounters with musicians.

On Mahler

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical Composition Analysis History Influence
  1. Gustav Mahler's music feels unique because it's complex and doesn't fit into traditional categories of melody and harmony. His pieces blend several melodies together in a way that feels seamless.
  2. He composed music without being tied to the piano, using multiple staves instead. This means he imagined his music without testing it out, much like coding without running the program until it's done.
  3. Despite not having a large amount of music, Mahler's works are filled with deep emotions and beauty. His few compositions leave a lasting impact that few others can match.

"The Letter" - The Box Tops and Joe Cocker

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 79 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🎶 Music Music history Artists Albums Rock Soul
  1. The Box Tops had their big hit 'The Letter' when their lead singer, Alex Chilton, was just 17, showing that young talent can shine quickly in the music industry.
  2. Joe Cocker's version of 'The Letter' three years later highlighted his unique voice, even though he faced tough times with stress and financial troubles during his career.
  3. The Box Tops and Joe Cocker both represent lasting legacies in music, illustrating how artists can influence each other and continue to be celebrated over time.

The Adult (Instrument) Learning Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎶 Music Music education Adult Learning
  1. Learning an instrument like the drums can help you face fears, like stage fright, and give you a sense of accomplishment. Playing live music with friends can be a rewarding experience and make you feel more confident.
  2. Drumming teaches the importance of patience and practice. Improvement takes time and effort, showing that there are no shortcuts to getting better at anything.
  3. Playing the drums makes you a better listener. You start to hear different parts of songs and appreciate music in a new way, which can lead to discovering new artists and genres you enjoy.

Psychedelic Music: The British Invasion of ‘60s Psychedelic Sound

Tripsitter • 139 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎶 Music Psychedelic Rock
  1. Psychedelic music in the '60s was heavily influenced by psychedelic substances and the counterculture movement, with iconic bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd paving the way for the genre.
  2. The story of Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd showcases the complexities of the relationship between psychedelics and creativity, with his experiences leading to both innovation and personal struggles.
  3. While The Rolling Stones briefly dabbled in psychedelia, their encounters with psychedelic drugs highlighted the era's experimentation and cultural impact, contributing to rock and roll history.

Sunday March 12 2023

S/FJ • 294 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🎶 Music Events Criticism Interviews
  1. You can pre-order the memoir 'Earlier' by Sasha Frere-Jones, releasing on October 24th, 2023.
  2. Hammer & Hope is a new magazine about Black politics and culture, with the first issue available for free.
  3. Enjoy some recommended music including a Radiohead show, Kassel Jaeger's latest work, and a compilation of an '80s Congolese band called Balka Sound.

China's Best Music of 2024

ChinaTalk • 415 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎶 Music Genres Artists Albums Reviews Trends
  1. China's music scene is diverse, featuring a mix of styles like Afrobeat, electronic, and indie rock. Artists are blending cultural elements to create unique sounds.
  2. Several Chinese music labels are reviving and promoting experimental music, showing that there's a growing interest in innovative and atmospheric sounds.
  3. Listening to recommended tracks and podcasts can offer a deeper understanding of China’s evolving music landscape and help discover new favorite artists.

November 3 2023

S/FJ • 255 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🎶 Music Reviews Albums Playlists Music Industry
  1. The author worked on a piece about Ryuichi Sakamoto and a review of Teju Cole's work
  2. The new Black To Comm album is described as a nightmare but cathartic
  3. Hive Mind Records issues music from artists outside the English-speaking sphere with a unique perspective

Listen, Listen

Dada Drummer Almanach • 139 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🎶 Music Sound design Audio engineering Music theory
  1. Home recording lets musicians easily capture sounds at any time, but it requires dealing with noise from the environment. Paying attention to subtle sounds can change how we hear our surroundings.
  2. The backup alarm invented in 1963 is designed to be very loud and catch our attention. Its unpleasant sound is everywhere, yet we might stop noticing it due to its common presence.
  3. This overwhelming noise environment can make us miss important alerts and warnings. It's a reminder to be aware of what we listen to and not tune out things that matter.

Out for a Duck

Logging the World • 279 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🎶 Music Performance Genres Artists Live Events Memories
  1. The musician Donald 'Duck' Dunn, known for his work on bass, had a significant impact in the music world and was part of iconic performances.
  2. Collaborations in the music industry, such as those involving the MGs and other notable artists like Neil Young and Eric Clapton, created powerful and memorable live performances.
  3. Music has the unique ability to evoke strong emotions and memories, bringing joy and connection through shared experiences.

110 Cool songs I like

Philosophy bear • 35 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🎶 Music Genres Playlists Artists Albums Listening
  1. A mixtape can be a thoughtful reward for paid subscribers, offering something special beyond just appreciation.
  2. The playlist is a mix of personal favorites, including a variety of genres and some 'uncool' songs to show authenticity.
  3. It's okay to embrace music that you love, even if it doesn't align with current trends or what's considered 'cool'.

Magical Music

Clinsights • 275 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎶 Music Reflections Jazz Artists
  1. Music has the power to communicate directly into our souls.
  2. A substance-induced buzz can enhance the music experience by removing barriers.
  3. Sharing music with someone can be a magical time travel experience.

Mikhail Glinka's Doubt

Variations on a Theme • 39 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🎶 Music Classical
  1. The song _Doubt_ by Mikhail Glinka was featured in a novella by Dostoevsky, creating a unique connection between literature and music.
  2. In Dostoevsky's novella _The Eternal Husband_ the story unfolds in a complex web of relationships and hidden letters, leading to comedic situations.
  3. The arrangement of _Doubt_ for a cello quartet is accessible to intermediate to advanced players, offering a nice musical challenge.

Music for stillness

Silentium • 159 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎶 Music Instrumental Classical
  1. The post is about music for stillness and an invitation to silence.
  2. The featured music is Arvo Pärt's Symphony No. 4 'Los Angeles', which is described as being touched by the Divine in every note.
  3. Readers can keep exploring by starting a 7-day free trial on Silentium's website.

The Kompakt Selects Edition

Why is this interesting? • 180 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🎶 Music Artists Genres Record Labels Playlists Music culture
  1. Kompakt is a well-known music label from Cologne that recently celebrated its 500th release. It has a unique style and perspective in the music industry.
  2. Philip Sherburne is recognized as an important music and culture writer who recently wrote a great retrospective on Kompakt.
  3. The label shares similarities with others like Ghostly International, showcasing a strong artistic vision and identity.

Gemini + Lyria: Create Music from Pictures, Text, or Just Vibes

Crypto Good • 3 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🎶 Music AI music Music Production Songwriting Content creation
  1. Gemini Lyria lets anyone create full songs instantly inside Gemini using simple prompts or uploads, so you don’t need a studio or music training.
  2. It accepts multiple input modes—text prompts, images that it turns into lyrics, and short ideas that it auto-expands—and can produce different languages, styles, and moods.
  3. Creators, founders, and activists can quickly make music for promotion, activism, or just for fun, turning ideas into polished tracks in seconds without expensive gear.

Musical interlude

Disaffected Newsletter • 459 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🎶 Music Artists Albums Lyrics Music history Music culture
  1. Some artists, like Suzanne Vega, are so great that people will buy their music without hearing it first. Her music is special and touches many hearts.
  2. Winning her album on the radio was a memorable moment, and it led to a personal connection when the artist replied to a thank-you letter.
  3. The lyrics of her songs often explore deep and thoughtful themes, connecting listeners to emotions that feel universal.

The metaverse of post-punk taxonomy

Message from the Underworld • 255 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🎶 Music
  1. It's important to condemn all forms of violence against innocent civilians, regardless of the circumstances.
  2. Reuniting with past band members can bring back enjoyable memories and a sense of fulfillment.
  3. Exploring different genres and styles in music can lead to unexpected opportunities and collaborations.