The hottest Music Substack posts right now

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Graded Level Descriptions

Variations on a Theme • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎶 Music Techniques
  1. Beginning levels focus on foundational skills like fingerings, bowings, and intonation
  2. Intermediate levels involve shifting between positions, vibrato, and more complex rhythms
  3. Advanced levels require mastery of thumb position, artistry, and playing virtuosic passages

A Provisional Re-sequencing of the White Album

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 10
🎶 Music Albums Artists Songwriting Reviews Cultural impact
  1. The White Album's song ordering is not optimal, and side 3 feels especially disjointed. Many listeners might not notice this because they've heard it so many times.
  2. A fresh re-sequencing of the album could significantly improve the listening experience. Sometimes a random shuffle can even work well.
  3. The author suggests removing two songs from the album and starting and ending with different versions of the same song to give it more structure.

A Farewell Playlist

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🎶 Music Celebration Memorial Music history
  1. Family organized a memorial event combining mourning with celebration.
  2. The event featured Joy Harvey's art, photographs, and a diverse playlist encapsulating her life.
  3. Gwen and Juan engaged in music throughout their lives, creating a salsa combo and organizing jam sessions.
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Consumer Guide: June, 2023

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🎶 Music Critique Genres Reviews
  1. Consumer Guide for June 2023 by Robert Christgau includes different music genres like semba, merengue, kompas, and soukouss.
  2. Paid subscription is needed for access to the full content of the post.
  3. The post features Lovestruck avowals, stealth-ethical jokers, Black pop standards, and smart lovers who understand worse scenarios.

Xgau Sez: June, 2023

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎶 Music
  1. Loretta Lynn's artistic vitality in her eighties with great albums and an undiminished voice are worth noting.
  2. Tina Turner's passing raises questions about her legacy and impact, with varying views on her artistry compared to other iconic musicians.
  3. The discussion on underrated hard rock albums from the '80s highlights emotional power in music without a sense of arrogance.

Three By Steve Anderson

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🎶 Music Reviews Music history
  1. This post consists of reviews of music by Joan Jett, Slowdive, and the Ramones from the Village Voice, showcasing a rich cultural reach.
  2. Steve Anderson's writing style was diverse and unique, with a mix of cultural references and engaging storytelling.
  3. The Ramones' music is celebrated for its enduring spirit and belief in the lasting impact of short, powerful songs, exemplified in their album 'Acid Eaters'.

"Pathetic Gloating Villain" Playlist

Ritual of the Golden Witch • 0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎶 Music Songs Artists
  1. The 'Pathetic Gloating Villain' Playlist consists of songs where the perspective is of embracing portraying oneself as a villain.
  2. Each song in the playlist has different themes, such as being a villain in a historical context or wanting to be evil.
  3. The songs in the playlist range from theatrical villainy to more casual and relatable pieces of work.

Xgau Sez: May, 2023

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🎶 Music World music Editing
  1. Good editors respect writer's intentions, suggest stronger language, and double-check facts.
  2. Music from different cultures all have unique grooves that can be enjoyed and appreciated.
  3. Staying engaged while reviewing albums is key to providing worthwhile critiques and enjoying the process.

A Consumer Guide To The Music I’ve Devoted My Life To

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🎶 Music Artists Album Reviews Live Performances Music history Music Criticism
  1. The post is a consumer guide to music and explores a variety of genres and artists.
  2. The author shared personal anecdotes and moments from live events, adding humor and connecting with the audience.
  3. The guide includes reviews and reflections on iconic albums and artists from Louis Armstrong to contemporary bands like Low Cut Connie and Selo i Ludy.

Xgau Sez: March, 2023

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎶 Music Review Standup Legacy
  1. Robert Christgau provides insights on standup comedy and recommends comedy albums like Richard Pryor's _Live in Concert_
  2. Christgau reflects on the evolution of Afrobeats/Afropop and the rhythm-based nature of South African amapiano
  3. Artists sometimes lose creative steam, but Neil Young stands out for his enduring genius in the music industry

What Makes Ambience Music Good to Sleep To?

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🎶 Music Ambient Sleep Sound Composition Experience
  1. Ambience music helps you relax and can create a dream-like experience while you sleep. It can make you feel refreshed and happy when you wake up.
  2. Good ambience music usually has no beat and limited frequencies, which helps keep the brain calm. This is helpful because it avoids waking you up with sudden changes.
  3. The music is often repetitive and sparse, meaning there’s a lot of silence and fewer instruments. This calmness allows your mind to settle down for a peaceful sleep.

Xgau Sez: January, 2024

And It Don't Stop • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎶 Music Album Reviews Music Industry Artist Profiles Criticism Music Analysis
  1. The impact of Radiohead's _OK Computer_ on a new generation is more due to its prog aesthetic rather than its progressive politics.
  2. When reviewing music albums, it is not necessary to cover all versions released by an artist, especially if they lack significant differences.
  3. The future of talented artists like Olivia Rodrigo is unpredictable as their personal and professional lives evolve, possibly affecting their music in unexpected ways.

Against Oligopoly

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 14
🎶 Music Industry Labels Streaming Artists Consumers
  1. Having three major labels in the music industry can lead to an oligopoly, limiting choices for platforms like Spotify and ultimately hurting consumers.
  2. Individual artists having their own labels can potentially benefit both platforms like Spotify and consumers, as negotiation power is more evenly distributed.
  3. Exclusive deals between artists and platforms can limit consumer choices and drive business models towards uniformity, stifling innovation and competition.

Taste: the Unquantifiable Fitness Metric

Nano Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🎶 Music AI music Music creation Creative Process
  1. Creating music with AI involves several steps, from generating initial ideas to fine-tuning them, and these steps help improve the quality of the final song. As you experiment, you learn what works and what doesn't.
  2. People often struggle to define their personal 'taste' when it comes to music or any creative work. It's a mix of feelings, memories, and emotions that can change over time and can't always be easily measured.
  3. AI tools can help with creative tasks, but they don't replace the need for human judgment. Understanding when to invest time in perfecting a creative output can make a big difference in quality.