The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Music Topics

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Flow State • 609 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🎶 Music Composer Tribute Albums Influences
  1. Ryuichi Sakamoto was a talented Japanese composer and pianist with a diverse body of work.
  2. His music ranged from pop to film scores to experimental electronic music.
  3. Sakamoto's creativity and talent have inspired many around the world.

MUSIC: Max Richter

So Here’s a Thing • 609 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎶 Music Music
  1. Max Richter's music captures a sense of wistful melancholy, often used in films and television shows to create a certain emotional atmosphere.
  2. Richter's work includes the heart-rending 'On The Nature of Daylight' from 'The Blue Notebooks' and an eight-hour album called 'Sleep' designed for promoting sleep or meditation.
  3. His re-imagining of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' showcases his unique style and creativity, demonstrating the breadth of his musical talent.

Songs of Black Spring

Black Music and Black Muses • 609 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎶 Music Seasons Reflection Themes
  1. In black music, spring symbolizes renewal and opportunity, but also carries heavy melancholy.
  2. Spring in black music represents a time of intense emotions, choices, and responsibilities.
  3. Spring brings role reversals and challenges us to embrace collective new beginnings in black music.
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Songs My Son Gave Me

So Here’s a Thing • 589 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎶 Music Critique Pop Rock Genres
  1. It's okay not to like all modern music trends, but there are still artists producing enjoyable material.
  2. Artists like Billie Eilish, UPSAHL, and Nessa Barret are worth exploring for a break from the usual.
  3. Exploring new music, even if it's not your typical genre, can uncover hidden gems and offer a refreshing change.

Bring Me The Horizon, Deftones, All Time Low

Stream N' Destroy • 353 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎶 Music Album Sales News
  1. The post discusses album sales, Spotify and YouTube charts for bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Deftones, and All Time Low.
  2. News about music industry involves Avenged Sevenfold pioneering NFTs, Audacy's financial trouble, and a merch company owing millions.
  3. Updates on new music releases and top artists in the Hard Rock, Metal, Punk genres on Spotify and YouTube are highlighted.

Musical interlude

Disaffected Newsletter • 759 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🎶 Music Music theory Music history Genres Cultural influence
  1. Songs can have hidden meanings that you might not notice when you're younger. Even if the lyrics sound clean, they might carry deeper, unexpected themes.
  2. Harmonies in music can create strong emotional reactions. Perfect musical intervals can bring joy and even make people feel overcome with emotion.
  3. Music connects us to memories and experiences, like family moments or simple past joys. It can remind us of good times that may seem lost now.

MUSIC: Writing music

So Here’s a Thing • 570 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎶 Music Writing
  1. Sometimes background music can help keep you focused and productive while working.
  2. Classical or soundtrack music is often preferred as the lyrics don't distract from the task at hand.
  3. Listening to music with a strong atmosphere can help create a mood and inspire creativity.

A Playlist for a Blue Valentine

SBJournal • 275 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎶 Music Playlist Love Relationships Emotions Music history
  1. The playlist is inspired by stages of love, from infatuation to contempt, and finally to picking yourself up again.
  2. Each stage is paired with a song that captures the emotions and experiences of that particular phase of a relationship.
  3. The author draws on personal experiences and literary references to create a deeply emotional and relatable playlist for a Blue Valentine.

The feel-good hits from the musical "Hair"

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 139 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🎶 Music Rock Pop History Culture
  1. The musical 'Hair' highlights the energy and spirit of the 1960s counterculture, capturing the protests and hopes of young people at that time.
  2. Its songs, including classics like 'Aquarius' and 'Good Morning Starshine', became big hits and were performed by popular artists, showing the musical's wide appeal.
  3. 'Hair' also sparked conversations about societal issues, like nudity and censorship, reflecting its message against the norms of the establishment.

Jon Hopkins

Flow State • 550 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎶 Music Electronic Ambient Composer
  1. Jon Hopkins is a talented musician from England known for his techno and ambient music
  2. His solo albums Immunity and Singularity are impressive and worth checking out
  3. You can find Jon Hopkins' music on various platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp

Ryuichi Sakamoto 1952-2023

S/FJ • 550 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎶 Music Artist profile Music history Legacy
  1. Ryuichi Sakamoto was a remarkable musician who passed away in 2023 after a battle with cancer.
  2. Sakamoto's career was diverse, encompassing piano performances, electronic collaborations, and unconventional music-making methods.
  3. His creative life exemplified spiritual integrity and his music remains influential and timeless.

Hiromi

Flow State • 275 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎶 Music Composer Jazz Classical Performances
  1. Hiromi is a talented Japanese pianist, composer, and bandleader.
  2. She moved to the U.S. to study at Berklee and caught the attention of Ahmad Jamal.
  3. Check out her albums Spectrum and Duet for a mix of blues, jazz, pop, and classical music.

Yussef Dayes

Flow State • 530 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎶 Music Composer Collaborations Performance Albums
  1. Yussef Dayes is an English drummer and composer known for his eclectic and collaborative albums.
  2. His debut LP, Black Classical Music, showcases machine-precise rhythms and features various collaborators.
  3. Yussef Dayes' Live at Joshua Tree performance is highly recommended and available on YouTube.

What you are, you have to be

Disaffected Newsletter • 1298 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🎶 Music Pop Culture Mental health Family Dynamics Narcissism
  1. The lack of love and acceptance in childhood can deeply affect people's emotional health and relationships as adults. People can often seek out partners that remind them of this unfulfilled need for love.
  2. When you fall for someone who is a narcissist, it often feels exciting at first, but it can lead to pain because they cannot truly love you back. It’s important to recognize this dynamic and understand your own worth.
  3. To live a fulfilling life, you have to embrace who you truly are. Trying to please someone who doesn’t see you as a whole person can lead to self-disrespect and unhappiness.

The best slow dance song ever - a 1970s classic

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 119 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🎶 Music Rock Dance Etiquette Pop culture
  1. Slow dancing is all about the right approach and technique. Pay attention to how you start, hold your partner, and move together to create a smooth experience.
  2. The best slow dance song needs to have a good tempo and lyrics that set a romantic mood. The right song can help you make a connection with your partner.
  3. Using pop culture references, like scenes from shows, can make learning how to dance more relatable and fun. It helps to know the dos and don'ts to impress when it's time to hit the dance floor.

Laurence Vanay

Flow State • 255 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎶 Music
  1. Laurence Vanay is a prog rock project by French multi-instrumentalist Jacqueline Thibault.
  2. Thibault worked at Studio Château d’Hérouville and recorded four albums as Laurence Vanay.
  3. Two featured albums are 'La Petite Fenêtre' and 'Evening Colours', each with its own unique style.

Tortured Poets Department Faculty Picnic Gossip Circle

coldhealing • 255 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Pop Lyrics Poetry
  1. Taylor Swift is considered a poet due to the depth of her lyrics and writing style.
  2. Music has replaced poetry in modern times, but some heights of poetry are not always reached by music.
  3. Taylor Swift's lyrical poetry, while not on par with traditional poets like Emily Dickinson, resonates with average listeners and has evolved towards a more confident and raw style.

Tommy Guerrero

Flow State • 491 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🎶 Music Producer Albums
  1. Tommy Guerrero is a guitarist and producer from Oakland, CA.
  2. Tommy Guerrero has released two albums with different styles: "Amber of Memory" and "Sunshine Radio".
  3. "Amber of Memory" is a 12-track LP of wistful guitar meditations, while "Sunshine Radio" features subdued surf rock and mellow bassy instrumentals.

Cura

Eric Harper • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🎶 Music Composition Songwriting Music Performance
  1. Writing religious music can challenge preconceived notions and lead to unexpected personal growth.
  2. Combining diverse musical influences can result in unique and meaningful compositions.
  3. Practicing different styles and collaborating with others can expand creativity and reach new audiences.

Behind the curtain of 'The Last Waltz'

Expanding Dan • 373 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎶 Music Music history
  1. Rob Fraboni, producer of 'The Last Waltz', reflects on his experiences and memories from the Band's farewell concert.
  2. The Last Waltz featured an incredible lineup of music legends including Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and more.
  3. Fraboni's emotional connection to the Last Waltz concert showcases the lasting impact of collaborations with musical geniuses.

Sonic reducer

Internal exile • 32 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🎶 Music AI Punk Legacy Content Streaming
  1. Using AI to recreate the voices of dead musicians, like Stiv Bators, raises ethical questions. It can feel disrespectful to the original artists and their contributions.
  2. Many people may quickly consume AI-generated content without paying much attention. This could lead to a culture where everything feels like a gimmick and not worth careful listening.
  3. There's a concern that the rise of AI content might numb viewers and listeners, making us less engaged and critical about what we consume. It creates a flood of 'whatever' content that lacks meaning.

Feed experiences

Internal exile • 67 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎶 Music Streaming Content creation Advertising Cultural critique Digital Platforms
  1. Many artists, like Catbreath, use clever tricks to get listens on streaming platforms. This shows how the music industry can sometimes reward unconventional strategies over traditional talent.
  2. Streaming services like Spotify may prioritize ads over genuine music experiences. This can lead listeners to rely on algorithms to pick their music, which might reduce their enjoyment and personal connection to songs.
  3. The rise of AI in content creation can lead to a lack of authentic experiences. Instead of meaningful interactions, people might just consume whatever the algorithms suggest, which can make everyone feel more isolated.

Ballaké Sissoko

Flow State • 432 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎶 Music Collaboration Albums
  1. Ballaké Sissoko is a Malian kora player who started playing the instrument from a young age.
  2. After his father's passing, Ballaké joined the Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali and later went on to release his own music.
  3. His 2012 album 'At Peace' features first takes and collaborations, while his 2003 collaboration with Ludovico Einaudi is 'Diario Mali'.

MacArthur Park — that 7½-minute "cake out in the rain" song that mesmerized us

Rock 'n' Roll with Me • 119 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🎶 Music Pop Jazz Songwriting Music history
  1. The song 'MacArthur Park' tells a story about losing true love and the deep emotions connected to that loss. It's a journey of heartache that many can relate to.
  2. There are famous versions of the song by Richard Harris, Donna Summer, and Maynard Ferguson, each bringing a different vibe, from emotional ballad to upbeat disco.
  3. The lyrics are both literal and symbolic, with imagery that represents beauty lost, like a cake left out in the rain, and the songwriter wanted to capture that feeling in both music and words.

How do you explain the 'magic' of Aja's sound?

Expanding Dan • 412 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🎶 Music Analysis Interview Vinyl
  1. Bernie Grundman explains how the magic of Aja's sound comes from mixing the instruments upfront but also creating space for a deeper experience.
  2. Aja by Steely Dan is considered a landmark recording that captures the energy of performances and creates a special environment for listeners.
  3. The goal of mixing and mastering music is to make an emotional connection with the listener and transport them to a unique 'magic place' reserved for that music.