So you've posted a release for review and are now sitting at home twiddling your thumbs, waiting for the unspecified time when you will finally get to read what someone thinks.
Perhaps you've been looking at the Write review button at the top of screen, and thinking that's something for other people who can actually write about music but not for you.
I'm here writing this to remind you that the button there is for everyone. This isn't Pitchfork, this is a small site with a handful of users focused around supporting other artists who just want to hear what people think about their music, and anything you have to say is just as valid as anything else.
But what's in it for you?
Well, personally since launching the site, the thing I've enjoyed most is not only listening to music, but being given an opportunity to think deeply about it. Typically if I'm listening to something and it's not quite clicking with me, I'll turn it off, but forcing myself to listen to it and engage with it on a deeper level has given me a much greater appreciation for what goes into these releases. It's also allowed me to appreciate how unique everyone is. Everything I've reviewed has been something that I personally would have and could have never made, and that's really cool.
But how do you write about music?
The main thing is to just relax and don't be too precious about getting everything right. There are so many different things you can talk about, from the lyrics, to the composition, to more personal things like how the music made you feel and how they relate to your own experiences.
On a more practical level, I try to think of a starting point. One aspect of the album that I think is worth talking about. Maybe it's a line that stood out, or a broad question about the genre, it can be anything, just something to get the ball rolling. Once you've done that, you can start speaking about individual tracks.
When it comes to criticism, it's useful to sandwich your issues between two positives, i.e. "the production is great, the lyrics leave a bit to be desired, but they are sung well". If you don't feel comfortable being critical, that's fine too, just unclaim it and leave it for someone else!
I hope this blog post encourages at least a couple of you get over any mental hurdles you have with posting reviews. I do get that it can be a daunting, and there really is no obligation to write anything, but I personally have gotten a kick out of it, and you might too!
Thomas x