The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

On Liberalism's Aesthetic

Kvetch • 219 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Liberalism lost its aesthetic when it stopped being a confident project and became a cautious set of neutral procedures, and that procedural neutrality discourages the judgments needed to produce beauty.
  2. In earlier periods liberalism expressed purpose through grand public works, art, and architecture, so reclaiming an aesthetic means actively building beautiful civic things again, not just managing pluralism.
  3. Aesthetic emptiness drives people away and fuels alternative movements, so the remedy is for liberalism to embrace taste and purpose, make affirmative judgments, and commission inspiring public projects.

Cowboy Poetry

Points And Figures • 666 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Cowboy poetry gatherings celebrate and preserve Old West traditions through live performance, music, and traditional crafts.
  2. The cowboy ethos of rugged independence and hard work is held up as an American ideal and is likened to the spirit of entrepreneurs who want recognition and fewer burdens from government.
  3. Small rural communities contribute far more than tax dollars and deserve recognition, support, and opportunities to grow, so visitors and policymakers should value their businesses and traditions.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 685 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A weekly roundup lists 15 things consumed that span articles, recipes, and music.
  2. Grim or heavy pieces are grouped together at the top so readers can choose how much to read without mixing them with lighter content.
  3. The featured recommendation this week is to use non-overhead lighting to improve ambiance.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 88

Why is this interesting? • 723 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Running a neighborhood coffee shop often seems charming but can quickly become overwhelming and destructive to your life.
  2. Modern TVs are far cheaper than they were 25 years ago, driven by big advances in technology and manufacturing even before you adjust for inflation.
  3. Curated link roundups can tie together nostalgic music and media, artisanal craft, and surprising historical stories to make everyday culture feel fresh and revealing.

Basic pleasantries

Austin Kleon • 7613 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A total solar eclipse will happen soon, and many events are planned. It's great to watch these events in everyday settings, like your backyard.
  2. Being playful as you grow older can make life more enjoyable. Staying curious and lighthearted is a good approach to aging.
  3. Politeness can go a long way; simple gestures like saying 'Hello' or 'Thank you' can really brighten someone's day. Treating others with respect is important.
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Figure it out

Austin Kleon • 4556 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Reading is valuable! Check out books that focus on writing good sentences; they can help improve your own writing.
  2. Exploring how artists work can inspire creativity. Look into features and documentaries about artists at different stages of their careers.
  3. Listening to music and podcasts about music can open your mind to new genres and artists. It’s a great way to relax and discover something new.

Oh, hail no!

Austin Kleon • 5615 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Standard Ebooks offers free and well-designed versions of classic books that are in the public domain. You can read great works without paying a dime.
  2. Working with your hands, like drawing or crafting, is really good for your brain. It's a nice way to relax and be creative.
  3. There’s a great community around Lynda Barry’s Comics Room that supports artists. It's a place where creativity and collaboration can really thrive.

Democrats may have found their media counterweight to Fox News

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
📰 News Music
  1. Small, partisan video outlets on platforms like YouTube are reaching millions with tiny teams, giving Democrats a possible counterweight to Fox News.
  2. Live creators and short-form video are outperforming expensive mainstream productions, and newsrooms are using AI to quickly turn long content into lots of shareable clips.
  3. Media companies are shifting toward “experiences” and new revenue plays — from newsletter sponsorships to sports-betting tie-ins — while the music industry and legacy outlets wrestle with how to handle AI.

Diamonds and dictionaries

Austin Kleon • 5095 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Life is short, so choosing to live playfully can enhance your experience. A new documentary about Hans Zimmer shows how creativity and playfulness can lead to interesting discoveries.
  2. The Criterion Channel now offers a continuous stream of films, so you can watch without deciding what to choose. It's a great way to enjoy movies while working or relaxing.
  3. Women artists often create their work in small moments throughout the day. This highlights the importance of finding time for creativity in our busy lives.

The 2025 Culture Wrap-Up Edition

Why is this interesting? • 965 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A community pooled personal recommendations to create a year‑end roundup of favorite books, films, and TV shows.
  2. Many standout picks explored history, power, and political systems — from wartime espionage and CIA scandals to historical myth‑making and authoritarianism.
  3. The list mixed new releases, indie and horror cinema, ambitious TV, and older classics, with readers enjoying surprise discoveries and revisiting overlooked works.

The Progress Monster

the shimmering void • 46 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Measurable output isn’t the same as real creative progress — finishing tasks or shipping prototypes can feel like forward motion, but true growth often can’t be tracked on a dashboard.
  2. Deep work comes from folding your life into what you make — returning to and changing ideas as you change builds density and meaning, while purely procedural practice stays shallow.
  3. You can’t predict the future, so chasing constant proof of progress breeds anxiety; accepting uncertainty and staying open to surprise lets you grow without prototyping every idea.

Could the Next Netflix or Spotify Be an Artists-Owned Cooperative?

The Honest Broker • 8843 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Artists might start owning their own platforms like Netflix and Spotify. This could give them more power and opportunities in their careers.
  2. Young people today are drinking less alcohol compared to older generations. This shift might reflect changing social norms and preferences for activities like coffee over alcohol.
  3. There are new and surprising developments in music, like the creation of a super thin violin. It's amazing how technology continues to change the music world!

"You Have to Get People's Attention in the First Two Seconds"

The Honest Broker • 7746 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Musicians are feeling pressure to create shorter songs because of social media algorithms pushing for quick attention. This trend is changing how music is made and what is popular.
  2. Some artists are starting to fight back against these trends, showing that longer songs can still gain popularity even after years of shorter hits dominating the charts.
  3. Many staff members at the New York Times are concerned about cuts to culture coverage and a shift towards video content, indicating a broader worry about the future of music and art criticism.

A love Supreme

Patti Smith • 18121 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music
  1. John Coltrane's music was a powerful force of love and creativity.
  2. For many, Coltrane symbolized spiritual seeking and artistic freedom in the 1960s.
  3. The impact of John Coltrane's music on individuals and their relationships is profound and lasting.

Seventies Afrofunk and the Future

Animation Obsessive • 9238 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The movie 'Crocodile Dance' explores the life of Roukia, a mother and musician dealing with a generational curse, and it combines traditional Nigerian stories with modern elements.
  2. The film's music is a mix of 1970s Afrofunk and contemporary Nigerian sounds, aiming to connect different generations and cultures.
  3. Directors Shofela Coker and Nadia Darries focus on the character's personal journey and power, wanting audiences to see themselves in Roukia's story while showcasing African women's experiences.

An eerie, unforgettable new-age conspiracy drama; a sweeping, gripping true-crime book; and more

Read Max • 579 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. This is a weekly roundup that curates overlooked books, articles, movies, and music for readers to check out.
  2. Current highlights include a sweeping true‑crime book about frauds, gangsters, oligarchs, and blood money, plus a fourth‑wall‑breaking New Age conspiracy drama that explores healing, grief, and memory, along with four recommended tracks.
  3. Full access to the weekly emails and comprehensive 'good movies' and 'good books' master lists is for paying subscribers who also get perks, and readers are invited to recommend things or reach out, with purchases possibly earning a small commission.

Why Is the Washington Post Talking to Substack?

The Honest Broker • 10273 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The Washington Post is considering working with Substack to feature some of its writers. This shows a change in how traditional media views newer platforms.
  2. There is a trend where gamblers are now betting on music hits, similar to how sports betting works. People analyze song trends mathematically to make predictions.
  3. Beauty in art is a controversial topic, and the author challenges common views. There’s a suggestion that we should appreciate beauty beyond just its monetary value.

When you hear it

Austin Kleon • 5115 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Experiences like a solar eclipse can be felt with your whole body, not just seen. Sounds from nature during such events can be unique and delightful.
  2. Creating a mixtape or playlist can be a fun way to share music inspired by special events like an eclipse.
  3. Rejecting ideas can hurt your creativity. It's important to explore your own thoughts and not just follow what others want.

Back to the beginning

Austin Kleon • 5735 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Reading children's books can help adults reconnect with their imagination and sense of wonder. It's like taking a break and remembering how big the world feels when you're a kid.
  2. Making and sharing mixtapes is a fun way to bond with others. It's all about connecting through music and sending songs you love to each other.
  3. Talking about books and stories you love is important. Sharing what resonates with you can inspire others and create a great discussion.

The Empire Has Accidentally Caused The Rebirth Of Real Counterculture In The West

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 8782 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. There's a new real counterculture forming in the West, especially seen at events like the Glastonbury Festival. Artists and fans are openly supporting movements like Palestine and really standing up to the establishment.
  2. For a long time, people in pop culture have acted rebellious but didn't challenge real power. Now, artists are risking censure and backlash from the government because they are speaking out about important social issues.
  3. Young people today feel frustrated and disillusioned, which is driving them to express their defiance. With social media, they see injustices firsthand, making it easier for them to rally together for impactful change.

Fold, crease, tear

Austin Kleon • 7094 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Making things with your hands, like creating zines, can boost your mood and happiness. It's good to stay connected to your creative side.
  2. Writing in a paper journal helps keep thoughts organized and can enhance creativity. Using paper is a simple yet powerful tool for self-expression.
  3. Exploring new forms of art and literature, like zines and unique book recommendations, opens up new ways to think and feel. There's always something new to discover.

Letters mingle souls

Austin Kleon • 4975 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Letters can connect us deeply, allowing friends to communicate and share thoughts even when they're apart.
  2. Many scientists still prefer using chalk on blackboards because it offers a tactile and visual way to think and communicate ideas.
  3. Reading magazines from cover to cover can provide enriching conversations and unexpected insights, especially about creative relationships.

A three town report

Patti Smith • 14800 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Patti Smith toured three towns and shared the experience
  2. She enjoyed performing in Covington, Kentucky and Washington D.C.
  3. Patti Smith reminisced about childhood adventures while visiting her sister in South Jersey

The Winter Olympics Is the Best Reality TV Show

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 324 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The Winter Olympics plays like the best reality TV — it’s full of big personalities, unexpected drama, and moments that feel made for television.
  2. Ice dancing is the theater kid of Olympic sports: flashy costumes, pumping music, exposed personalities, and subjective judging that heightens backstage drama.
  3. Opening ceremonies and national displays are a big part of the show and can spark controversy, so people tune in to see how countries present themselves.

Subscriber Writing, December 2025

Freddie deBoer • 1392 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A bimonthly roundup highlights a wide variety of subscriber writing across politics, culture, personal essays, fiction, science, and technology.
  2. It works as a discovery platform that helps readers find new work and helps writers grow their audiences, with an emphasis on leaving kind, supportive comments.
  3. The feature is an ongoing, open opportunity for contributors, and non-subscribers can join to be considered and reach more readers.

Here's Your Kanye West Cliff Notes

Freddie deBoer • 17079 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Kanye West has claimed he's not bipolar but autistic, stirring up a lot of conversation. This shows how he sometimes tackles personal issues in surprising ways.
  2. People are becoming less sympathetic toward Kanye as he shows more unstable behavior online. Critics are more focused on his actions rather than considering if his mental health influences them.
  3. There is a strange disconnect around how society views mental illness. Critics want to blame Kanye but feel conflicted about viewing him as a person influenced by his disability.

A bit of Bach

Patti Smith • 13011 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Music
  1. Music can provide healing and uplift in times of conflict.
  2. Johann Sebastian Bach's music has a profound impact on listeners.
  3. Artists like Patti Smith use music to convey a wide range of emotions in their performances.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 89

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The roundup highlights surprising, small facts and curiosities that stick with you. Examples include robot hands needing fingernails and blood products making up a measurable share of exports.
  2. It mixes cultural taste and design items—big-name art auctions, curated restaurant playlists, and advice on why lived-in rooms feel more appealing than showy ones.
  3. The links span human stories from shocking true-crime episodes to generational headaches about inheriting money and lots of unwanted stuff, showing both dramatic and everyday consequences.

The Rest is British Soft Power

Wrong Side of History • 1267 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The podcast 'The Rest is History' has gained enormous popularity and has become a cultural phenomenon, appealing to a wide audience beyond just history buffs.
  2. The show presents history in a fun and engaging way, making it accessible for younger listeners who enjoy its lack of political bias and moral lessons.
  3. It represents British cultural export effectively and showcases a positive image of Britishness, combining knowledge with humor in a friendly style.

A Tom-Clancy-meets-Jeff-VanderMeer Native American sci-fi novel, a great new psychedelic conspiracy thriller TV show, and more

Read Max • 553 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A new Native American cosmic-horror sci‑fi novel mixes fast‑paced geopolitical/tech‑thriller action with weird, ecological surrealism.
  2. The roundup highlights in‑depth essays and reporting on politics, journalism, and the healthcare industry, and it recommends a comedy‑thriller TV show about a psychedelic miracle cure and the conspiracies to suppress it.
  3. This is a paid weekly newsletter that offers subscribers extra curated reading, watching, and listening lists, merchandise deals, contact options, and notes that some links may earn small commissions.

When Bad People Make Good Art

The Honest Broker • 18551 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. It's tough to enjoy art when you know the artist has done bad things. People often wonder if listening to music or watching movies means they support those bad actions.
  2. There's a lot of gray area in cancel culture. Sometimes it's hard to decide if we should stop enjoying a particular artist because of their past, and it can feel overwhelming to investigate all the claims.
  3. The impact of one artist on a larger group, like a band or a film crew, complicates the issue further. Should everyone be punished if one person does something wrong?

Making the Video That Made Gorillaz

Animation Obsessive • 15517 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Pete Candeland, the director behind the iconic Gorillaz video for 'Clint Eastwood,' used innovative animation techniques to blend 2D and CGI, creating a unique look that set the standard for animated music videos at the time.
  2. Candeland's animation style evolved from a limited budget, leading him to focus on the most important movements and actions, resulting in a distinctive, under-animated approach that became a signature for Gorillaz.
  3. The editing process was crucial for Candeland, allowing him to manipulate timing and create a dynamic flow with the music, making animation a more live and engaging experience.

Song Pong

Victor Tao • 273 HN points • 28 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Music
  1. You can make a pong game more exciting by syncing the ball's movements to music. This allows paddles to dance to the beat as they hit the ball.
  2. Using math and optimization techniques can help you decide where the paddles should hit the ball. It ensures that the game looks good while still following all the rules.
  3. Changing the physics of the game doesn't have to be hard. You just update the rules in your math model, making it easy to test new ideas and keep improving the game.

The show is over, say goodbye

Disaffected Newsletter • 4316 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Madonna's recent performance highlighted her struggle with aging and the desire to cling to her past fame, which some people found sad and awkward.
  2. The concert's production quality was disappointing, with issues like poor sound and lip-syncing, leaving many fans feeling cheated.
  3. The author's views on Madonna shifted over time, reflecting a broader change in attitudes towards celebrity culture and its impacts on personal growth.

The Night Whitney Houston Died

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5691 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Whitney Houston and other 1980s artists shaped American culture, making it feel eternal to many, even as the country faced challenges.
  2. The night Whitney Houston died was significant for many around the world, showing the impact of her music transcending borders and cultures.
  3. The juxtaposition of Whitney Houston's death with the tragedies in Gaza on Superbowl Sunday highlights the importance of raising our voices against inhumane actions and standing up for values, patriotism, and humanity.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 594 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A weekly roundup lists 15 things consumed that week, offering a quick mix of media and personal favorites.
  2. AI-generated section titles for a podcast were singled out and laughed at. It shows how AI is already seeping into everyday media.
  3. The full content is behind a paywall, with prompts to subscribe or sign in to access the rest.

Pushing and pulling

Austin Kleon • 6754 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. There's a difference between the push internet, where things are thrown at you, and the pull internet, where you actively seek out information. It's good to engage more with the pull internet.
  2. To discover your taste, explore artists, read their biographies, and connect with their influences. Following the connections can deepen your understanding and appreciation of their work.
  3. Take time to reflect and be intentional about what you consume. The goal is to search for content that enriches your life rather than just passively scrolling through feeds.

What's in the cards

Austin Kleon • 5215 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Creating your own library checkout cards can be a fun project. You just need pockets, typewriters, and the right cards!
  2. New books by favorite cartoonists are now available. Check out Liana Finck's children's book and Kevin Huizenga's re-released work.
  3. Enjoying nature can be comforting, like watching baby eagles hatch on a live cam. It's a great way to connect with the world around us.