The best Music Criticism newsletters

Evil Speakers is a music newsletter by Steven Hyden covering albums, artist catalogs, and reader-question columns about rock and Americana. Readers get album reviews, deep dives into artists like John Prine and Car Seat Headrest, and recommendations for music discovery.

A weekly newsletter covering electronic and experimental music through in-depth artist features, concert reviews, and album lists. Readers get thoughtful coverage of contemporary synthesists, improvisers, and festival reports.

Nate Chinen's Substack covers jazz and music culture, with essays on festival coverage, artist conversations, and deep dives into musicians like Thelonious Monk. Readers get critical insight into jazz recordings, performers, and the ideas behind their music.

Harmony Holiday's essay newsletter offers independent music writing free from industry timelines and promotional pressures, blending cultural criticism, jazz history, and personal reflection. Readers get dense, literary takes on pop stars, Black music traditions, and the politics of art and identity.

A music and pop culture newsletter from The Line of Best Fit, a volunteer-run independent publication. It offers essays on overlooked artists, music history, award coverage such as the Mercury Prize, and artist interviews.

A personal music newsletter offering album reviews, recommendations, discussions and deep dives on music. Recent issues include reflective poetry about personal history, a take on fandom elitism and 'real fan' hierarchies, and an autumn-themed playlist of calming songs.