First Floor

First Floor is a newsletter that delves into electronic music and its associated culture and industry. It explores the resurgence of music blogging, challenges within music journalism, the evolution of electronic music, the role of PR, and corporate influence in the music industry, while reflecting on genre trends and artist impacts.

Music Journalism Electronic Music Culture Industry Trends Music Production Public Relations in Music Corporate Influence in Music Music News and Media Consumption Challenges in Music Journalism

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways
668 implied HN points 23 Jan 24
  1. Trance music faced criticism for being bombastic and disconnected from dance music's roots.
  2. The perception of trance went from being reviled to experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
  3. The genre went through a phase of creativity decline in the early 2000s, after enjoying a period of commercial success.
609 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  1. Pitchfork, a prominent music publication, underwent major restructuring, signaling a dark moment for music journalism.
  2. The recent resurgence of independent newsletters, blogs, and podcasts is linked to the decline of professional music media.
  3. Quality music journalism is in danger, with a need for consumers to support and pay for it to keep it alive.
511 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. Music journalism is struggling to connect with younger audiences.
  2. The changing nature of music consumption is impacting the relevance of music news.
  3. Streaming platforms and online communities are changing how music fans discover new music, affecting the need for traditional music journalism.
432 implied HN points 11 Jan 24
  1. First Floor newsletter celebrates its 200th edition without making a big deal about arbitrary milestones.
  2. The newsletter content includes a recap of electronic music news, new release announcements, and track recommendations.
  3. The author highlights notable happenings in the electronic music world, such as industry news, artist spotlights, and new album releases.
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393 implied HN points 28 Mar 23
  1. First Floor newsletter is becoming a book called 'First Floor Volume 1: Reflections on Electronic Music Culture'.
  2. The book includes updated essays from the newsletter, new material, and a foreword by Martyn, offering a comprehensive look at contemporary electronic music culture.
  3. The book shares insights on electronic music culture, industry challenges, and the future trajectory of the genre.
373 implied HN points 06 Feb 24
  1. Claire rousay is releasing a new album titled 'sentiment,' which she describes as her 'emo record' with singing, guitars and sadness.
  2. Even though rousay is known for experimental music, her new album represents a shift to a more traditional songwriting approach.
  3. She experiences doubts about her music and worries about how the audience will receive her new pop-focused sound.
255 implied HN points 25 Jan 24
  1. Silent Servant's passing was a devastating blow to the music community.
  2. The author reflects on their interactions with Mendez and the impact he had.
  3. The newsletter also includes information on the electronic music scene, new track recommendations, and a note of a book release.
196 implied HN points 26 Oct 23
  1. NTS Radio accepted a major investment from Universal Music Group, raising questions about corporate influence in the music industry.
  2. The newsletter addresses a plea for help from a freelancer facing payment issues.
  3. The issue covers a variety of electronic music news, release announcements, and track recommendations from different artists.
176 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. Many recent articles have highlighted challenges faced by music journalism, especially in the era of streaming and social media.
  2. Former Resident Advisor editor Ray Philp offers constructive criticism on music reviews and suggests potential improvements.
  3. Music journalists are exploring solutions to industry challenges, such as declining demand for music news and the evolving media landscape.
157 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  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.