The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Music Topics

On making music with the machine

#machineCROON • 6 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎶 Music Composition Production AI music Music history
  1. AI music tools have evolved from slow, raw, and wildly creative models that produced messy but interesting sounds to faster, more polished apps that are easier to use but less likely to hit that chaotic magic.
  2. Making music with these systems is a hands-on, iterative craft—seed, prompt, generate, edit, listen— and that process can make a creator feel like the voice even while the model borrows heavily from existing artists.
  3. Combining classical seeds and narrative prompts with AI can yield new concept works and powerful stories, but it also raises real questions about authorship and theft, so responsible attribution and effort matter if the work is to be more than mere plagiarism.

What Will Happen With AI Music?

The Seat of Loss • 9 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎶 Music AI music Production Copyright Music technology
  1. AI-generated music is becoming popular, and some songs created by AI have even charted. However, major labels use copyright claims to control how AI music is distributed, showing a clear interest in the potential profits from this technology.
  2. Even though the quality of AI music may not satisfy audiophiles, many listeners enjoy it. The success of AI artists can be driven by marketing and industry support rather than complete organic appeal.
  3. The rise of AI in music will change how artists produce music, likely encouraging a shift from recorded music sales to live performances, as fans might pay more to see artists perform in person rather than just listening to recorded tracks.

Single Release: Lighthouse

Litverse • 59 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🎶 Music Songwriting Music Production Album release
  1. The song 'Lighthouse' by Job Creators was inspired by a proposal at Roosevelt Island's lighthouse to capture a moment of anticipating a new source of light and life.
  2. The creation of the song took place during a period of chaos and uncertainty, with the song evolving to reflect the feeling of waiting for a significant moment.
  3. The band's upcoming album, 'Love Monster,' is set for release on October 13, with 'Lighthouse' being a part of the album available on various music platforms.

Hard Rock & Metal At THE GRAMMYs

Stream N' Destroy • 58 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎶 Music Rock Metal Awards History
  1. The Best Metal Performance category remained while Best Hard Rock Performance went away after being combined briefly in 2012 and 2013.
  2. There is a mix of genre acts in various rock-related categories at the GRAMMYs, including Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album.
  3. The Academy sometimes misses the mark by nominating legacy acts for cover songs or older work, which can overshadow newer achievements and younger acts in the music industry.
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Back in the Day

Useful Noise • 58 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🎶 Music Hip-hop Analysis Culture
  1. Losing musicians you grew up with can hit hard because it makes you reflect on your own mortality
  2. Rap music from different eras can teach different life lessons and perspectives
  3. Independent hip hop labels like Rawkus and Quannum seek to create community and support unique artists

"My Maria," B.W. Stevenson (1973)

The Lost Songs Project • 58 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🎶 Music History Review
  1. The song 'My Maria' was not an original by Brooks and Dunn, but rather by B.W. Stevenson in 1973.
  2. The song 'My Maria' by B.W. Stevenson peaked at #9 on the Hot 100 and has 9.2 million streams.
  3. There is a well-organized archive of Billboard magazines where one can find interesting musical history.

Two Acclaimed Albums—Heard in a New Light

The Chase • 58 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎶 Music Albums Recovery Artists Sobriety Lyrics
  1. Two acclaimed albums, Southeastern and Saint Cloud, by Alabama artists dive deep into sobriety themes.
  2. Both Jason Isbell and Waxahatchee openly share their journey to sobriety through their music.
  3. The albums reflect themes of transformation, moving forward, and personal growth rather than dwelling on victimhood and rock bottom experiences.

Empathy No. 125

Empathy: The Remnant Pieces • 58 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎶 Music Events Artists Reviews
  1. The author attended a surprise music event by Cobalt Sky with a new lead singer, Roderick Butler.
  2. Roderick Butler, previously known for his math skills, surprised with his exceptional singing talent.
  3. The band, with their new vocalist, might be gearing up for a big performance at the Winter Homecoming entertainment event.

Avenged Sevenfold, P.O.D., Staind

Stream N' Destroy • 58 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🎶 Music Charts Albums Music videos Sales
  1. The post discusses recent music video and album charts for Avenged Sevenfold, P.O.D., and Staind.
  2. There are updates on recent music industry signings, like Alex Vile with Paladin Artists and Bloom with Pure Noise Records.
  3. The post highlights the top Hard Rock and Metal music videos and albums in the US and UK, featuring various popular artists like Sleep Token, Linkin Park, and Staind.

The Unclassifiable, Unstreamable Eighties Albums of Annette Peacock

Dada Drummer Almanach • 86 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎶 Music Rock Jazz Albums Streaming
  1. Annette Peacock's albums from the eighties aren't available on streaming services or in print. It's hard to find her music today.
  2. Peacock is seen as a rock star due to her unique style and background, but she struggles with self-confidence. She believes bravery and confidence are different traits.
  3. Despite her struggles, Peacock has had an intriguing career with many twists, showing her brave nature in the music industry.

A Song a Year in the Making

Xavi Benjamin • 19 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Collaboration
  1. The new song 'Mueva La Cintura' by Xavi Benjamin and Aleyzza was a collaboration that started in February 2023, inspired by the Spanish phrase 'mueve la cintura,' meaning 'move your waist.'
  2. The song's creation process involved FaceTiming with Cardec and led to the birth of a dance song with a hook co-written during a trip to Puerto Rico.
  3. The post offers a special preview of the song set to be released on May 1st and gives insights into the creative journey behind it.

Crop Circles in the Carpet

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 5 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎶 Music Artists Creation Genres Cultural impact Music history
  1. Creating art that resonates is a deep desire for many creators. It's about making something that lasts and is remembered over time.
  2. You often need to create a lot before you find the good stuff. Many successful artists have produced thousands of works before hitting it big.
  3. As you age, your creativity might change from raw energy to wisdom, but it can be harder to replicate past successes. The challenge is always to create something great again.

Cut-ups

Dada Drummer Almanach • 72 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🎶 Music Genres Artists Composition History Influence
  1. Can was a unique rock band formed in 1968, made up of musicians with diverse backgrounds in classical music, jazz, and even astrology. They aimed to create spontaneous music that broke traditional boundaries.
  2. Their approach involved improvisation and experimentation, often pushing the limits of what rock music could be. This made their albums innovative and influential on many modern artists.
  3. One of the band's interesting practices was to leave their instruments recording in a room to capture unexpected sounds, showing their commitment to spontaneity and creativity in music.

The Living Wage for Musicians Act

Dada Drummer Almanach • 178 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎶 Music Legislation Advocacy Community Streaming Support
  1. The Living Wage for Musicians Act was introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Jamaal Bowman to address fair pay in the music industry.
  2. The bill was a collaborative effort involving UMAW, the Cyberlaw Clinic at Harvard Law School, and various legal experts and industry stakeholders.
  3. Musicians and supporters can participate by learning about the bill's goals and advocating for it to their representatives.

Metalcore Milestones

Stream N' Destroy • 39 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎶 Music Genre Bands Playlist
  1. Metalcore genre started with a specific style of guitars, breakdowns, vocals, and subject matter.
  2. Metalcore records have evolved and influenced the genre year by year.
  3. Artists in metalcore are often uncomfortable with genre labels, but connections among them are undeniable.

The Prehistory of Music

Dada Drummer Almanach • 52 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎶 Music Music history Anthropology Cultural Theory Evolutionary Theory
  1. Music has deep roots in human history, showing how important it has been in shaping cultures. It connects us to our past and influences how we live today.
  2. The study of music isn't just about its notes and rhythms; it's also about understanding its role in society and culture. Music can help create and define the world around us.
  3. Exploring how humans developed musical abilities can lead to insights about our evolution and what makes us unique as a species. It's fascinating to think about why we can engage with music in such powerful ways.

Communication in the Presence of Noise

Cybernetic Forests • 39 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🎶 Music Experimental AI Critique Resistance
  1. The new album "Communication in the Presence of Noise" by The Organizing Committee is a blend of AI experimentation and antifascist critique in music.
  2. The project aims to start conversations about AI early, challenging the perception of music created by machines as opposed to humans.
  3. The Organizing Committee's music serves as a form of resistance against unregulated technological optimism, applying critical data studies to subvert computational ideologies.

Interview with Tom Rapp of Pearls Before Swine

Dada Drummer Almanach • 52 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎶 Music Artists Interviews Legacy Genres Civil Rights
  1. Tom Rapp was not just a musician; he was also a civil rights lawyer who cared deeply about social issues. He infused his conversations with humor and sharp critiques of society.
  2. His music left a lasting impact, especially from the 60s and 70s, showing that he had a unique voice and perspective.
  3. Even after his passing in 2018, people remember him for his faith in fighting for good and his insightful commentary on current events.

10 great music movies I saw this year

Austin Kleon • 239 implied HN points • 07 Dec 21
🎶 Music Music culture Songwriting Music genres
  1. There are many great movies centered around music that offer insights for creative people. They can be entertaining and educational, no matter your interest in music.
  2. Movies like 'The Sparks Brothers' and 'Summer of Soul' explore the history and influence of bands and music festivals, showcasing both the music and the culture around it.
  3. Even if you don’t like musical theater, documentaries about composers like Stephen Sondheim can change your perspective and inspire writers in any field.

My Chem, Alestorm, Ghost

Stream N' Destroy • 39 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎶 Music Concerts Sales Charts Certifications
  1. The post discusses recent attendance and ticket sales of various hard rock, metal, and punk artists worldwide.
  2. It mentions top performers like Red Hot Chili Peppers, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and Linkin Park.
  3. The post also highlights Brit sales certifications for bands like AC/DC, Bring Me The Horizon, and Rammstein.

PARAMORE By The Numbers

Stream N' Destroy • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎶 Music Streaming Social media Sales Albums
  1. Paramore has a huge online following with millions of listeners and social media followers.
  2. Their top songs like 'Misery Business' and 'Still Into You' have hundreds of millions of views and streams.
  3. Paramore has achieved multiple platinum and gold certifications for their albums and singles.

Playlist: Bring Back the Summer

Teniade Topics • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎶 Music Playlist
  1. The playlist theme is lazy hot girl summer inspired by Janelle Monae's 'Lipstick Lover'.
  2. The playlist has a lot of Kaytranada, normal amount of Jorja Smith, and unexpected Busta Rhymes features.
  3. The playlist is great for those with Taurus placements and captures the essence of summertime.

The New Cue #322 September 29: Steven Wilson, Mutual Benefit, Simon Williams, The Murder Capital, Really Good Time, VLURE, Wilco, Underworld

The New Cue • 39 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🎶 Music Interview Album Streaming
  1. Steven Wilson created his latest album with no specific agenda in mind, leading to a surprise-filled and diverse record.
  2. The album was born out of a period of lockdown-induced isolation, allowing Wilson to experiment without external pressure.
  3. Wilson's creative process for this album was organic and uncontrived, with no predetermined genre in mind.

The New Cue #324 October 6: The Bees, Molly Burch, English Teacher, UNIVERSITY, Sufjan Stevens, A.S.O, Sonic Cathedral, John Grant & Midlake, deary

The New Cue • 39 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎶 Music Reviews Interviews Music history
  1. The Bees' breakthrough 2002 hit, 'A Minha Menina', was born out of a moment of spontaneity and led to unexpected opportunities.
  2. The Isle of Wight Festival played a significant role in exposing The Bees to a variety of music genres.
  3. The Bees are planning a comeback, with members looking to create music together again after a period of inactivity.

Dave Stein, RIP

Stream N' Destroy • 39 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎶 Music Obituary
  1. Dave Stein was a prominent figure in the East Coast hardcore and punk music scene.
  2. He was known for his work as a DIY promoter, record label founder, and attorney representing bands like Taking Back Sunday and Portugal. The Man.
  3. Dave Stein was described as a resilient, inspirational, and philanthropic individual who made a significant impact on those around him.

I have a new album • Meditations

SJF • 39 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎶 Music Album Musician Support
  1. The artist is working on a new album called 'Meditations' set to be released on July 21st.
  2. The album will contain about 40 minutes of new music.
  3. Listeners can pre-order the album on Bandcamp and support its creation on Patreon.

Corey Taylor, Baroness, TesseracT

Stream N' Destroy • 39 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎶 Music Album Sales
  1. First-week album sales data for various artists in the US and Germany are discussed
  2. BRIT certifications for Deftones, Creed, Limp Bizkit, and Bowling For Soup are highlighted
  3. Recent artist signings and music industry updates are shared, including Spotify charts rankings