The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

EMPTY CHEESE JAR

Entering The Lung • 3125 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎶 Music Artists Streaming Covid impact
  1. Musicians are struggling financially, especially due to streaming services like Spotify.
  2. The pandemic has worsened the situation for musicians without financial safety nets.
  3. There is a need for better support systems for musicians to ensure their well-being and livelihood.

"I Saw the Light" by Todd Rundgren (1972)

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 219 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🎶 Music Artists Albums Songwriting Performances Reviews
  1. Todd Rundgren wrote 'I Saw the Light' very quickly, in just about 20 minutes. He played all the instruments and sang all the parts himself to make it sound just how he wanted.
  2. The song was part of his album 'Something/Anything?' and became a Top 20 hit, even though another song from the same album, 'Hello It’s Me,' ended up being more popular later.
  3. Rundgren also performed 'I Saw the Light' with Daryl Hall, showing that their music is still great as they get older. You can hear both his original version and this performance to compare.

The Jonathan Fire*Eater Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1387 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🎶 Music Rock Indie Cultural influence
  1. Jonathan Fire*Eater brought a new energy to the 90's rock scene in New York when it felt stale. They were different and drew attention, leading to a bidding war from record companies.
  2. The band's unique sound mixed retro and modern styles, influencing many future bands despite their short career. They shaped how indie rock was created and promoted in the years that followed.
  3. Their story serves as a warning about the risks of personal struggles and the music industry's challenges. Even though they faced many issues, their legacy continued to inspire other artists after they broke up.

"We Gotta Get You a Woman" by Todd Rundgren (1970)

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 219 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
🎶 Music Rock Songwriting Artists Music history Cultural analysis
  1. Todd Rundgren's song 'We Gotta Get You a Woman' was inspired by his experiences as a young man in New York, feeling lonely and wanting to connect with others.
  2. The song faced some controversy over its lyrics, with some people feeling they were misogynistic while others saw it as just a story from a character's perspective.
  3. Songs can reflect different meanings depending on who sings them and when, so it's important to remember they aren't always giving advice, but are telling stories instead.
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The 100 Best Recordings of 2024 (Part 2 of 2)

The Honest Broker • 4521 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🎶 Music Genres Artists Recordings Albums Listening
  1. Aiming, to find top notch t r y m o , d i f f t h i m f , h o giving B M f nding or doing i n m c o t m nt o t h n d o 
  2. T h i h b t  h i b i g , d o h n i n m c i f n t g h f or p r o m o t o r o g r D x n t h o n t h  m t t to g
  3. M r h g y o o o n c o g m c m h ön b f c o n t r t f i n n h h c b t b h d h t o r

Working Musicians, Unite – or Divide?

Natural Selections • 5 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🎶 Music Live performance Labor Unions Health Policy Music Industry
  1. COVID-era mandates and safety rules split musicians and families, creating lasting personal and professional rifts.
  2. Union and management choices to enforce mandates sometimes led to halted pay and lost health coverage for dissenting members, weakening solidarity.
  3. Attempts to protect individual medical autonomy collided with legal limits and collective bargaining, forcing hard ethical and financial decisions for many musicians.

Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Incense and Peppermints" (1967)

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 239 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
🎶 Music Rock Psychedelic Albums Artists Songwriting
  1. The song 'Incense and Peppermints' by Strawberry Alarm Clock is a classic from 1967 that brings back nostalgic vibes for many.
  2. Strawberry Alarm Clock is still active and performing, with some original band members still making music today.
  3. A new piece about Todd Rundgren, focusing on his creative journey and honest reflections, is coming soon.

Todd Rundgren as a songwriter and performer: The Creator Series #3

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 219 implied HN points • 14 Jul 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Performance Biography Artistic Process
  1. Todd Rundgren's early exposure to music shaped his career as a songwriter and performer. He found inspiration at a young age, often experimenting with different instruments and sounds.
  2. His journey through various bands, like The Nazz, showed his evolution as a musician and leader. He faced challenges in managing relationships within the band, especially when artistic differences arose.
  3. Rundgren's creative process includes a strong DIY attitude, blending his musical skills with innovation. He emphasized the importance of playing live and getting experiences over waiting for big opportunities.

Carole King: The Creator Series #2

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 319 implied HN points • 23 Jun 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Artists Genres Music history Performance
  1. Carole King started making music at a very young age, with supportive parents and lots of practice. She began writing songs at just three years old.
  2. She faced challenges throughout her career but never gave up. Her perseverance helped her succeed in the music industry, and she learned a lot from her experiences.
  3. Carole's creative process involved teamwork and collaboration, especially with her husband. Together, they wrote many hit songs, including classics like '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.'

Studio Diary: Part 1

Colin Meloy's Machine Shop • 2555 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🎶 Music Recording Songwriting
  1. The Decemberists are recording music in a studio and sharing the process openly with fans.
  2. They operate on practical hours, record fragments of songs, and focus on the music rather than late night sessions.
  3. The band tracks multiple takes of a song, focusing on drums and bass, and decides to take a break and return the next day with fresh ears.

I MISS YOU, DALLAS

Entering The Lung • 2535 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎶 Music Music
  1. The author is grieving the loss of a friend named Dallas Good.
  2. They have a deep connection with Dallas and the band The Sadies, having written many songs together.
  3. The author shared the saddest song ever written with Dallas and The Sadies in a post, encouraging readers to subscribe for more content.

Book Review: Mozart the Performer

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 407 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
🎶 Music Classical Composition Performance Analysis
  1. The book illustrates how Mozart was not just a great composer but also a talented performer. It emphasizes the importance of his live shows and theatrical personality.
  2. It focuses on understanding why Mozart made specific musical choices, moving beyond just historical context to explore aesthetic reasons for his unique style.
  3. Reading the book is a rewarding experience, but it demands that the reader engage with the music. Hearing Mozart's pieces deepens the understanding of his writing and creativity.

"I Say a Little Prayer" - The enduring magic of Hollywood's greatest songwriters, Burt Bacharach and Hal David

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 419 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Pop Music Rock music Music history Music Industry
  1. Burt Bacharach and Hal David were an amazing songwriting team that created many famous songs together. They made music that took listeners on an emotional journey, combining catchy melodies with deep lyrics.
  2. Dionne Warwick was a key artist for their songs, bringing a unique style and emotion to their music. Her ability to handle complex tunes made her the perfect fit for their unique sound.
  3. The song 'I Say a Little Prayer' has been reimagined by many artists, showing its versatility. Aretha Franklin's cover turned it into a soulful classic, proving great songs can be interpreted in fresh and powerful ways.

China's Best Music of 2025 (So Far)

ChinaTalk • 1289 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎶 Music Hip-hop Experimental Punk Electronic Ambient
  1. There’s a mix of music styles in China right now, including hip hop, experimental sounds, and cold wave. Each genre showcases a different vibe and cultural influence.
  2. Many artists are pushing boundaries and exploring personal experiences through their music. From soothing piano melodies to hard-hitting punk, there's something for everyone.
  3. Supporting these artists by buying their music can help them continue making amazing tracks. It's a great way to enjoy their creativity while also uplifting the community.

How Miles Davis Hired John Coltrane

The Honest Broker • 8710 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎶 Music Jazz Artists Narrative Biography Music Industry
  1. Miles Davis hired John Coltrane out of necessity, as his band needed a saxophonist for an upcoming tour.
  2. John Coltrane's musical talent and knowledge of Miles Davis's repertoire impressed during tryouts, leading to his eventual hiring.
  3. Their initial interactions were characterized by Miles Davis's aloofness and Coltrane's uncertainty, but despite difficulties, Coltrane eventually joined Davis's band.

Giving Up Spotify Premium Gave Me Back My Sanity

Default Wisdom • 303 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🎶 Music Streaming Radio Music Industry Music culture Live Music
  1. Giving up Spotify Premium cut down my anxiety and freed me from the pressure to endlessly curate, making me feel calmer and less driven by fleeting whims.
  2. Using ad-supported services and analog radio reintroduced serendipity — ads, DJs, and call-ins exposed me to new music, ideas, and cultural moments I wouldn’t have found on curated playlists.
  3. Accepting limits instead of unlimited options made me more patient and less entitled, and helped me appreciate shared, uncurated experiences with other people.

Let’s Overanalyze: ‘Cattle and the Creeping Things’ By The Hold Steady

Singal-Minded • 179 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🎶 Music Lyrics Songwriting Rock Music Criticism Storytelling
  1. The song uses biblical imagery and jittery vocals to show jaded, addicted characters who treat sacred stories like worn-out scripts.
  2. The Hold Steady’s plainspoken bar-rock leaves room for dense storytelling, with recurring characters across songs and albums forming a dark arc from teenage parties to druggy, violent consequences.
  3. Repetition and unreliable narration are central: stories get retold and distorted so sacred and profane blur and cycles of addiction keep repeating.

What We've Lost in Music Criticism

Freddie deBoer • 8787 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎶 Music Criticism Pop Rock Diversity
  1. Indie rock no longer exists in 2024, with no cool clubs or scene left to produce new albums, showing a cultural shift away from 'indie' music.
  2. The embrace of poptimism in music criticism led to a shift towards conformity and popular music elevation, changing the role of the critic from highlighting underappreciated music to reassuring popular tastes.
  3. Music criticism has lost its diversity and focus on challenging artistic expressions due to the dominance of poptimism, impacting the vibrancy and depth of music discussions.

9 New Albums I'm Recommending Right Now

The Honest Broker • 7746 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎶 Music Genres
  1. The best music nowadays often comes from small indie labels and self-produced albums, flourishing in unexpected places without massive marketing campaigns.
  2. Exploring different genres, styles, and countries can lead to discovering unique and captivating music experiences.
  3. Homemade albums, like those created in bedrooms or unconventional spaces, showcase raw talent and creativity that defy mainstream radio norms.

The Todd Rundgren Creator Series

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 99 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
🎶 Music Songwriting Performing Music history Artist Profiles
  1. Todd Rundgren has had a big impact on music as both a songwriter and a performer, especially during his time with The Nazz.
  2. He is also known for his work as a producer, where he has helped create hits for many famous artists over the years.
  3. The series includes insights into his career and aims to introduce new fans to his work while reminding old fans of his achievements.

In Search of Dupree Bolton

The Honest Broker • 8245 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Jazz Musician Music history Music Industry
  1. Dupree Bolton was a mysterious and talented jazz trumpeter who emerged suddenly on the West Coast jazz scene in the 1950s, made recordings marked by his unique style, but then disappeared abruptly.
  2. Despite his brief career, Dupree Bolton left a lasting impact with his remarkable trumpet playing on records like 'The Fox' and 'Katanga!' alongside saxophonist Curtis Amy.
  3. Researcher Ted Gioia tracked down Dupree Bolton years later in San Francisco, where the musician was playing on the streets, revealing a complex and troubled life story that included struggles with drugs and internal conflict.

The Missing Now

Dada Drummer Almanach • 235 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎶 Music AI music Music technology Composition Improvisation Music theory Aesthetics
  1. AI runs in time as computation but has no subjective "now" or lived sense of duration, so it analyzes musical sequences without experiencing their unfolding.
  2. AI can copy and combine musical patterns well enough to move listeners, but it lacks embodiment, genuine spontaneity, and true improvisational presence, which often makes its music feel derivative or airless.
  3. AI might develop more creative practice if built to iterate, adapt to feedback, and collaborate with humans, otherwise it will mostly reinforce past patterns and risk homogenizing musical culture.

"This Is a Hell of a Statement I'm About to Make—But He Superseded Miles"

The Honest Broker • 7846 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎶 Music Streaming Jazz Culture Media Investment
  1. Spotify is facing challenges with fake artists, playlists, and financial losses, raising concerns about the music streaming service's business model.
  2. The shift from macroculture to microculture is evident in the media industry, with traditional legacy outlets experiencing layoffs while alternative platforms like Substack thrive.
  3. There is a trend towards investment firms buying song catalogs, the decline of live music reviews in mainstream media, and interest in the transformative power of sound highlighted through the work of Hans Jenny in 'Cymatics'.

Anti-Copyright Extremists

Dada Drummer Almanach • 173 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🎶 Music Streaming Copyright Royalties Preservation Platforms Metadata Access
  1. A non-profit project scraped Spotify’s metadata and audio, and Spotify publicly labeled that project as an “anti-copyright extremist.”
  2. Spotify now withholds royalties from tracks with fewer than 1,000 annual streams, leaving roughly 175 million of about 202 million tracks without payments from the platform.
  3. The situation highlights a clash: a huge, profit-driven streaming company that changed royalty rules versus a nonprofit focused on preserving and providing open access to culture, both positioned as opposing traditional copyright in different ways.

Petula Clark - The other British invasion

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 459 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🎶 Music Pop Rock History Performance Culture
  1. Petula Clark had a huge impact in the 1960s music scene with several hit songs, showcasing her talent and staying power even at age 91.
  2. She collaborated with songwriter Tony Hatch to create many popular songs and was a top-charting artist, rivaling even The Beatles.
  3. Petula also had a successful career in film and television, gaining recognition for her acting and her efforts to promote inclusivity in entertainment.

Lou Reed

Flow State • 1100 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎶 Music Musician Album Review Meditation
  1. Lou Reed was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and ambient music producer.
  2. His final solo album, 'Hudson River Wind Meditations,' is designed for activities like meditation, yoga, or tai chi.
  3. The album was recently remastered and reissued by Light in the Attic Records.

5 lessons pop music can teach us about creativity

Make Work Better • 152 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🎶 Music Songwriting Production Collaboration Creativity Inspiration Music Industry
  1. Creative work comes from showing up and making a lot of stuff; persistent output and practice give you the few big wins.
  2. Being together in person helps creativity because small, quiet cues and half-formed ideas get noticed and built on.
  3. Creativity thrives in messy, relaxed, playful spaces and from outside inputs, so embrace chaos, laughter, and unexpected sources to get unstuck.

AI Musical Slop

Life Since the Baby Boom • 922 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎶 Music AI music Copyright Issues Industry Trends Music technology Artist Rights
  1. Big music companies are likely to license their music to AI firms. This means that AI companies will pay for access to use real music to create new songs.
  2. When artists sign with a music label, their music might be used to train AI without them knowing. If they want to opt out, they may have to be very influential in the industry.
  3. People generally dislike AI-generated music, viewing it as low quality. Even so, it could become common in places like elevators or waiting rooms, which reflects concerns about its impact on genuine artistry.