The hottest Electronic Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Music Topics

Towards an Alternative Canon of Millennial Pop

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 1244 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Between roughly 2009 and 2018 a loose, internet-native wave of artists fused electronic production with strong pop songwriting to make some of the era's best, most timeless songs. Many of these tracks were anthemic and inventive but never became mainstream hits.
  2. There was no central curator like MTV’s 120 Minutes, and music media and industry shifts (including commercialization and 'poptimism') meant this music stayed scattered in niche corners instead of reaching wide audiences.
  3. Naming and defending this alternate Millennial pop canon matters — building new ways to curate and promote these artists could help the best music reach more people and alter contemporary pop culture for the better.

China's Best Music of 2025 (So Far)

ChinaTalk • 1289 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎶 Music Electronic
  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.

I Was There When Trance Went Bad

First Floor • 668 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  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.

Polygonia

Flow State • 569 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Polygonia is an electronic music producer based in Munich
  2. She has released five LPs, thirteen EPs, and many singles since 2019
  3. Polygonia's music combines techno templates with lifelike synths and organic samples to create a connection between electronic music and nature

Biosphere

Flow State • 550 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Biosphere is an electronic/ambient project by Norwegian musician Geir Jenssen.
  2. In his latest LP, Inland Delta, Biosphere plays with synth drones and melodies on stripped-down tracks.
  3. The 1997 record Substrata + Man with a Movie Camera by Biosphere layers field recordings and radio transmissions over synths.
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Aphex Twin

Flow State • 452 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Aphex Twin is an electronic music composer from Cornwall, UK.
  2. Enjoy vibrant curation of Richard D. James on YouTube with compilations like 'Music for Sleeping.'
  3. Listen to 'Selected Ambient Works Volume II' by Aphex Twin for a chill weekend vibe.

Donato Dozzy

Flow State • 393 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Donato Dozzy is an Italian electronic music producer known for his subtle kick drums and 'twinkling arpeggios'.
  2. He pursued a doctorate in politics while his music career took off, earning him the nickname 'The Professor'.
  3. His latest LP, 'Magda', and earlier release 'Filo Loves the Acid' showcase his unique sound.

First Floor #200 – That's a Lot of Newsletters

First Floor • 432 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  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.

FM3

Flow State • 314 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. FM3 is a duo that created handheld looping "Buddha Machines".
  2. The duo collects samples of traditional instruments like the sheng and matouqin.
  3. Their music is available on streaming services and they have reissued their first edition devices.

Jon Hopkins

Flow State • 550 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎶 Music Electronic
  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

First Floor #202 – Ghosts of the Past

First Floor • 255 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  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.

Rei Harakami

Flow State • 432 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Rei Harakami was a Japanese electronic music producer known for using familiar dance music elements in unique ways.
  2. Rei Harakami's albums 'unrest' and 'opa*q' are recommended for listening.
  3. Harakami created electronic music with the Roland SC-88 Pro and his music style was considered non-obvious.

Dissecting Electronic Music News

First Floor • 334 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. Music journalism involves a lot of opinion and interpretation.
  2. Analyzing the content of news sections can reveal editorial biases.
  3. Publications' commitments to diversity are examined through their news coverage.

First Floor #204 – An Unexpected Revival

First Floor • 157 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  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.

First Floor #192 – Creeping Corporate Influence

First Floor • 196 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🎶 Music Electronic
  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.

GOOD MUSIC 02/2024

GOOD INTERNET • 3 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎶 Music Electronic
  1. The post highlights a diverse selection of music genres and artists, from indie to punk to electronic and more.
  2. Various well-known artists are featured such as Norah Jones, Little Simz, and Burial, offering a mix of new tracks and cover songs.
  3. Readers are encouraged to support the online magazine through paid subscriptions or other support options listed at the end of the post.