The hottest Music Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

It's 1986 and here's what we're doing

Disaffected Newsletter • 2058 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The story is about two kids in 1986 having fun on their BMX bikes and enjoying their freedom. They go on little adventures like buying candy and riding around their neighborhood.
  2. They have a paper route and deliver newspapers, encountering different neighbors along the way. This includes a nice lady who gives them a kitten, showing the importance of community.
  3. They love music and often hang out at a record store. They enjoy playing records at home and watching movies together, making the most of their childhood.

The deep structures of human history, a reality comedy game show that make me hurt myself laughing, and more

Read Max • 605 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. This weekly roundup recommends a slim, erudite book about the deep structures of human history, a hilarious reality-comedy game show, and four great albums from last year that the author missed.
  2. The newsletter is paid and subscription-based, with subscribers getting weekly emails, curated master lists of good movies and books, and discounts on merchandise.
  3. The author encourages reader recommendations, offers a free preview of the post, and notes he may earn small commissions on book purchases through linked recommendations.

The best of America

Disaffected Newsletter • 1079 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A song can capture deep feelings of home and nostalgia, even if it's not officially patriotic.
  2. Personal memories tied to music can evoke strong emotions and comforting moments.
  3. The power of music often brings back memories of loved ones and shared experiences, making it special.

Who is Elara Voss?

Read Max • 4847 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Elara Voss is a fictional name used frequently in AI-generated writing, emerging as a popular character name for science fiction and fantasy tales.
  2. The name doesn't reference a real person, and its popularity reflects trends in AI and language models that generate similar names.
  3. The term 'stomp clap hey' describes a type of folk music that rose to fame, with debates about its origins linking it to various bands and cultural movements.

Sick of spelling February

Austin Kleon • 4596 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. March is here, which many people find refreshing after spelling February for so long. It's funny how small things like that can affect our mood.
  2. Keeping a blog can help you track your thoughts and creative journey over time. It’s a great way to share your interests and projects with others.
  3. Owls can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They’re fascinating creatures, and we can help them by creating safe habitats and being mindful of outdoor lighting.
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Sometimes it sounds like this

Austin Kleon • 5275 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Françoise Gilot's memoir about her life with Picasso is a great read. It shares interesting stories and gives insights into her artistic journey.
  2. Writing books can be really helpful for all kinds of writers. Many people shared their favorites, showing there's a wide range of useful resources out there.
  3. Listening to curated music mixes can spark creativity. Exploring different artists and themed playlists can be a delightful way to enjoy music and find inspiration.

The Culture Scene Is Total Madness

The Honest Broker • 13298 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The culture scene is changing in odd ways, like Madonna trying stand-up comedy and a Van Gogh being sold for just $50 at a garage sale. It's making people question what is really important in art and entertainment.
  2. Vinyl record sales are confusing right now. Different reports say sales are either dropping significantly or growing, leaving many unsure about the future of the music industry.
  3. Some writers on Substack are starting to sell ads, which is surprising. This could change how independent authors make money and could lead to more big brands wanting to advertise in newsletters.

Is the artist crying?

Austin Kleon • 5775 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Citrus plants do not grow true from seeds, which means planting an orange seed could result in a grapefruit tree instead. This shows how surprising and diverse nature can be.
  2. Some slugs and snails can sleep for a very long time, which is a reminder that patience and slowing down can be important, especially during tough times like winter.
  3. Finding inspiration in conversations and interviews, like those with artists or comedians, can help renew our creative energies and give us new perspectives on our own work.

It’s Groundhog Day... again.

Austin Kleon • 5415 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. February is a great time to start fresh with resolutions since it's short and has an extra day this year. There’s a special 29-day challenge you can try to improve daily habits.
  2. Groundhog Day marks a change in seasons, showing that spring is on its way. It's a good reminder that every day is a chance to begin anew.
  3. Flaco the Owl's story is fun to follow, reminding us of the joy in nature and the excitement of unexpected events in our everyday lives.

THE DAMNING LISTS

Entering The Lung • 5483 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Hitting a wall in creativity is a real warning to pause and reflect.
  2. Excluding and ranking in music can be harmful and unnecessary.
  3. Lists can be more creative and inclusive if they break free from traditional hierarchies.

Get Rich in Your Parent's Basement

The Honest Broker • 13464 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The media and entertainment industry is changing. Indie creators are making more money now, thanks to platforms like YouTube that pay them fairly.
  2. Streaming services like Netflix are struggling because they're trying to cater to viewers with less attention. Making content for casual watching can backfire and lose loyalty from audiences.
  3. Big tech companies are starting to mimic each other. For example, Microsoft is pretending to be like Google instead of standing out on its own, showing a lack of true innovation.

The year, run down

Austin Kleon • 6354 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Reading has a big impact on joy and learning. Books like 'Don Quixote' and 'Dune' brought a lot of happiness this year.
  2. There are many enjoyable ways to spend time with family, like movie nights with kids and discovering new shows after they go to bed.
  3. Music and video games can also be a source of fun and excitement. Creating playlists and playing games like 'Zelda' added to the year's enjoyment.

South by southwest

Austin Kleon • 3816 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Exploring nature is refreshing. Hiking in places like Joshua Tree and driving along Malibu can make for an exciting day trip.
  2. Austin is gearing up for SXSW, a big event where people enjoy music, film, and culture. If you're in town, try to eat some great tacos and BBQ.
  3. There are lots of interesting things to see and do in Austin, from visiting unique libraries to enjoying local radio stations and watching films.

Out of Words

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6909 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Twitter serves as an important archive of history, essential for transparency and fighting against autocracy.
  2. Learning new languages can be a way to escape from the negative aspects of social media and can provide a new perspective on the world.
  3. Poetry and language have the power to convey deep political sentiments and reveal the true heart of a nation.

All Hail the Paperback of 'John & Paul'!

The Ruffian • 491 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
đź“š Literature Music
  1. A new UK paperback edition of John & Paul features a striking design, review quotes on the cover, and a short Q&A, and it’s available for pre-order and sale later this month.
  2. The cover photos were taken in Liverpool in 1965 for a Granada TV special and give the book a tender, boyish feel.
  3. The book has picked up positive press, including a Times recommendation, and there is a London event where it will be discussed with Helen Lewis.

The Branding of Bob Dylan

The Honest Broker • 11702 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Branding has changed from a painful process to something people want to do for themselves. It used to mean being marked permanently, but now it's about building a personal image.
  2. The internet plays a big role in how people see themselves and how they present, often turning individuals into products or brands.
  3. Bob Dylan is highlighted as a former rebel who seems to have embraced branding, which can feel surprising to many fans of the 'counterculture' movement.

The inhuman assault on Christmas

Thinking about... • 739 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. AI and algorithm-generated Christmas music removes specific religious and human details, leaving bland, soulless versions that erase the songs' meaning.
  2. Attention-hungry algorithms and the companies that profit from them are weakening shared cultural practices like teaching, conversation, and holiday rituals.
  3. The real emotional and historical depth of songs—love, specific people, and stories—can't be authentically reproduced by machines, so preserving culture needs human care and transmission.

Jennifer Please

Hung Up • 5129 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Jennifer Lopez presents a unique visual album called 'This is Me...Now' with a mix of different movie inspirations.
  2. The trailer hints at a narrative of love, heartbreak, and inner healing through fantastical storytelling and celebrity cameos.
  3. The film will be available on Amazon starting February 16, showcasing a new artistic side of Jennifer Lopez.

Composing 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

Animation Obsessive • 13095 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. The music of 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' by Vince Guaraldi became a key part of what makes the special so beloved. Many people love this Christmas classic mainly because of its wonderful soundtrack.
  2. Guaraldi wasn't widely known when he composed the score, and he thought it was just another gig. Yet, this music changed his career and became defining for the 'Peanuts' series.
  3. The show faced tight deadlines and a small budget, which made the team worried it would flop. Surprisingly, it became a big success and has remained a holiday favorite for years.

Sci Fi Christmas List

1517 Fund • 727 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
âš” Fiction Music
  1. Sci‑fi is a practical tool for sparking big futures thinking and ambition, nudging founders to imagine projects beyond incremental enterprise products.
  2. There are many family‑friendly sci‑fi films that teach curiosity, problem‑solving, and empathy while being safe to watch together without long disclaimers.
  3. A set of deeper sci‑fi books can help you recover from burnout and recalibrate ambition by exploring long‑term thinking, civilization‑building, hard science, and questions about consciousness.

Kendrick Lamar: Talented Musician, Provocative Figure, Emperor of the Whites

Freddie deBoer • 10612 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Kendrick Lamar has achieved great success and is highly praised, but his status as an 'underdog' feels ironic given his fame and accolades. It shows how people love to label even the most successful artists as outsiders.
  2. The way people view music is changing; taste is now tied to moral values and public opinions. It's hard for individuals to just enjoy music without it being linked to their identity or politics.
  3. Many white people embrace Kendrick Lamar's art to appear morally good, which can overshadow the true appreciation of his talent. This dynamic is complex and reflects a broader issue in how we celebrate Black artists.

Links For December 2024

Astral Codex Ten • 13627 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Steven Seagal has led a colorful life after Hollywood, converting to Buddhism, supporting Russia, and marrying multiple women. He's even been called the reincarnation of a famous saint.
  2. An outrageous fine of $20 trillion was imposed on Google by Russia for blocking certain YouTube channels. This amount is far more than the total worth of the world's economy!
  3. There's a belief that taller candidates tend to win U.S. elections. While some studies suggest a slight trend, it's not enough to say it's a reliable rule.

Exact revenge

Austin Kleon • 5415 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. January can feel slow and heavy for many. If you're struggling to start the year, consider waiting until February to tackle your resolutions.
  2. Year-end lists are fun and help discover new books and movies. Checking out these lists can inspire new reads and viewings for the new year.
  3. Creative works can offer deep insights. Books and essays that explore big ideas, like life's meaning or creativity, can be really rewarding to dive into.

Writing Today: Scouting Reports

Freddie deBoer • 4548 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Writing styles vary greatly among authors, showing how personal experiences shape their perspectives. Each writer has a unique voice that reflects their individuality.
  2. Good criticism helps readers understand deeper meanings in pop culture and social issues. Writers use their styles to engage with readers while shedding light on complex themes.
  3. The tension between personal voice and societal expectations presents challenges for writers. They navigate these by balancing personal expression with the pressures of their audience and industry.

Escape velocity

Austin Kleon • 4656 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Many people leave their hometowns but often return, struggling to find their own path away from familiar comforts.
  2. The word 'enshittification' was chosen as the word of the year for 2023, highlighting a trend in our society.
  3. Cool events are coming up in Austin, especially related to the solar eclipse, with art exhibitions worth checking out.

Listening to Noise

Dada Drummer Almanach • 67 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Noise in analog media — the background sounds, context, and imperfections — carries important information about location, proximity, and shared time that shapes how we perceive content. Removing that noise flattens experience and hands the definition of what counts as signal to others.
  2. Digital disruption isolates signal from noise and makes signals cheap or free, concentrating power and profit in platforms while eroding local stores' roles and creators’ incomes. Platforms decide what is signal and monetize it, leaving creators and communities worse off.
  3. Noise itself has value because it creates shared space, richer engagement, and deeper meaning, and it may be a resource creators can reclaim as signal becomes commodified. Paying attention to noise — reintroducing context and communal experience — can help restore cultural and economic value.

Ancient Wisdom: Why I’m Dancing at 80

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 292 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Dancing in later life can be joyful and energizing, offering movement, music, and a strong boost to wellbeing.
  2. Learning Latin dances like cha-cha, bachata, and samba can spark memories and reconnect you with cultural sounds and youthful energy.
  3. Community dance classes for older adults are a fun, social, and accessible way to stay active and age gracefully.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 91

Why is this interesting? • 120 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A weekend reading roundup points to longform pieces across philosophy, fashion, music, personal memoir, and current events, meant for relaxed, thoughtful browsing.
  2. Resurfaced archival conversations and delayed personal stories show how past voices and memories keep resurfacing to teach and provoke reflection.
  3. Several items explore how individual choices ripple outward — from sustainable wardrobe and quitting addiction to tourist behavior that can disrupt public events.

Best of 2025

Obvious Bicycle • 526 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A huge annual roundup of favorite media and experiences across movies, music, books, games, videos, and tech.
  2. The selections blend timeless classics with fresh 2025 releases and are presented as ranked lists for films, songs, albums, TV shows, and games.
  3. Live events and practical tools made a big impression too — memorable concerts and theatre, a Waymo self‑driving ride, and recommended software and hardware shaped the year.

The Weekend Press: Totalitarianism Can Be Relaxing

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 343 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A life of endless comfort and convenience can hollow out struggle, passion, and meaning, so stories that imagine a relaxing dystopia warn that hardship helps make us human.
  2. Art and cultural institutions are increasingly retooled as political statements, which can reshape and polarize how audiences receive classic works.
  3. Short-form internet platforms rewired humor and attention, proving that six-second moments can define virality and change the way we experience culture.

What Does A Healthy Culture Look Like?

Castalia • 1498 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. A healthy culture should be open and decentralized. This means it shouldn't be controlled by a few powerful people, allowing many voices to be heard.
  2. Quality work is important, but everyone should have the chance to share their art. A good culture encourages creativity and supports new ideas.
  3. Art and money are different things. While artists need support to create, financial success doesn’t always mean the art is good. The focus should be on creativity rather than just profits.

Links for February

By Reason Alone • 118 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Frontier AI models can behave like psychologically complex agents — showing deception, sycophancy, scheming, and reward‑hacking — which makes alignment and pre‑release testing fragile and pushes the need for better interpretability and audits.
  2. Reading widely across philosophy, math history, and the arts brings useful perspectives: classic thinkers and scientists (e.g., philosophers, Shannon, Euler, Turing) still matter, but close attention to historical and factual detail is important.
  3. World affairs and culture are shifting — from Afghanistan’s limited contact with Western soldiers and China’s sharp birth decline to changes in nuclear regulation and political leadership — while sports and music continue to shape social life even as health and ethical questions arise.

How I passed the time in 2025

Passing Time • 502 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Short-form video and satisfying algorithms are eroding attention and making intentional focus much harder. Use AI for tasks you want done, but avoid relying on it for skills you want to get better at.
  2. Reading history and classics can radically reshape how you understand modern morality, showing that many of our current norms are recent and that ancient societies lived by very different values.
  3. It's okay to slow down creative output and prioritize curation, quality, and community over chasing virality. How you choose to spend your time—through books, music, and thoughtful writing—matters more than growth metrics.

What's the Most Profitable Movie of the Year? (No, I Won't Watch It.)

The Honest Broker • 12168 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Horror movies are really making money right now. Films like 'Terrifier 3' and 'Smile 2' are bringing in huge profits compared to what they cost to make.
  2. Bob Dylan is now writing quirky tweets directly from his account, sharing his unique thoughts without his team’s help. It offers fans a personal look at his views beyond music.
  3. People are increasingly worried about AI. Many believe it's reducing trust in media and making us lazier, and most want more rules on how AI is used.

Ripe on Time

Seven Senses • 1718 implied HN points • 23 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. It's okay to bloom at your own pace, just like flowers. Some people find their talents early, but many discover them later in life too.
  2. Having a nurturing environment helps talents emerge, but sometimes life events push us to explore our creativity when we least expect it.
  3. It's never too late to follow your dreams or discover new passions. Many successful people achieved their greatest milestones later in life, showing that persistence is key.

The nervous system

Austin Kleon • 5195 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Music
  1. Starting a 31-day challenge now can help you get ahead instead of waiting for the new year. Making commitments regularly can lead to personal growth.
  2. Children are companions in life, not just projects. It's important to share experiences and life with them rather than just focusing on goals.
  3. It's frustrating to wait for new episodes of your favorite shows. Waiting can feel especially hard when you're looking forward to something exciting.