The internet has revolutionized how music is discovered and consumed. Gone are the days when music fans had to rely solely on mainstream publications like Rolling Stone to learn about new artists or get the latest scoop. Now, music blogs allow people to dive deep into niche genres and underground scenes.
For independent musicians, getting written about on popular music blogs can be a huge boost. It’s a stamp of approval that tells fans “this artist is worth checking out.” A single premiere, review, or feature on a trend-setting music blog can kickstart an artist’s career.
Music blogs like Pitchfork and Stereogum have launched genres like indie rock into the mainstream. They’ve broken artists from Arcade Fire to Billie Eilish. Other sites focus on unearthing talents local scenes haven’t discovered yet. The result is a dynamic musical landscape where new sounds emerge rapidly.
Top Music Blogs You Should Follow: Table of Contents
This comprehensive guide shines a spotlight on the top must-follow music blogs for music lovers. We hand-picked these sites not only for their new music and release coverage, but also for their invaluable insights into music.
We utilized several criteria to select and rank the blogs on this list:
- Popularity and traffic – We analyzed site visitor numbers, social followers, and overall reach to pinpoint blogs with the biggest audiences. Popular blogs mean more exposure for artists.
- Influence – Which blogs play an essential role in amplifying and validating new artists? Industry influence translates into real career impact.
- Writing quality – Our top blogs feature skilled writers who offer engaging commentary and musical insights versus just press release rewrites.
- Music focus – Does the blog take a wide lens or drill down deep into a specific genre? We included both specialist and generalist sites.
- Unique perspective – Does the blog bring a distinct voice or angle to music coverage? We value original opinions and non-mainstream viewpoints.
Pitchfork
Link to the Music Blog: Pitchfork.Com
Pitchfork is one of the most influential and recognizable music blogs. Founded in 1995 by Ryan Schreiber under the name Turntable, Pitchfork began as an independent site focused on indie rock and niche genres overlooked by mainstream outlets. Over the years, it gradually expanded its musical scope while retaining its outsider spirit. Following Conde Nast’s acquisition in 2015, Pitchfork has continued to flourish, driving many critical conversations in the music world.
With a monthly readership over 3 million and strong social followings, Pitchfork wields substantial cultural influence. It’s known for its rigorous album reviewing system and extensive year-end lists. Pitchfork has also proven a kingmaker, spotlighting now-major artists like Arcade Fire first. Yet it still provides space for emerging genres. Distinctive artwork and a clean, modern interface make the site visually inviting. Overall, Pitchfork remains tastemaking catnip for passionate music fans.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
As one of the web’s most authoritative music sources, Pitchfork is essential reading for any serious music aficionado. Its writers offer thoughtful, in-depth analysis of new releases across genres. Their album reviews can still make or break buzz around a release. The site also excels at contextualizing artists and movements through longform features and interviews.
Beyond reviews, Pitchfork covers significant indie label happenings, festival news, and industry commentary. It’s a reliable compass for navigating the ever-changing musical landscape. The site’s extensive passing mentions also act like breadcrumbs guiding fans to discover new artists. For its ear to the ground on cutting-edge music and refreshing irreverent voice, Pitchfork stands out as a top music blog.
Stereogum
Link to the Music Blog: Stereogum.Com
Stereogum has its finger on the pulse when it comes to music discovery. Originally founded in 2002 by Scott Lapatine as an MP3 blog, Stereogum offered a new indie-focused lens on music. It made a name as one of the first sites to profile now mainstream bands like Arcade Fire before they blew up. While maintaining its indie cred, Stereogum has evolved into an influential tastemaker that crosses genres from rock, pop, rap, electronic and more.
Now reaching over 5 million monthly visitors, Stereogum boasts impressive stats. Its social followings exceed 300K on Twitter and Instagram. Respected for its news coverage and reviews, Stereogum wins annual awards like Blog of the Year. While the site has a playful edge, its commentary offers thoughtful critique of artists and trends. With an aesthetically pleasing, ad-minimal interface, Stereogum provides a seamless music immersion experience.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
For those passionate about music discovery, Stereogum is a must-follow. Beyond breaking tomorrow’s next big acts, the site delivers a broad spectrum of music news, album reviews, and interviews. Its tastemakers have their fingers on the pulse of bubbling underground scenes. So readers hear fresh sounds early.
Stereogum also spotlights indie label happenings and provides unique angles on major pop culture stories. With irreverent humor and eccentric asides balancing more serious criticism, the blog offers an entertaining take on the music landscape. From playful listicles to longform profiles, Stereogum’s content slate has range. For those tired of stale music writing, its unconventional voice is a breath of fresh air.
NME
Link to the Music Blog: NME.Com
NME (short for New Musical Express) has been an institution in music media for over seven decades. First published in 1952 as a weekly print magazine, NME became the U.K.’s most popular music publication covering rock, punk, indie and everything alternative. Known for its extensive reviews, interviews and irreverent voice, NME played a major role in propelling British music subcultures forward.
While its print heyday waned, NME transitioned successfully to a digital brand in the 2000s. Now NME.com reaches over 26 million global monthly users. Its social followings exceed 800K on Twitter and Instagram. Though NME covers film, TV and pop culture today, music remains its core. NME continues driving conversations through industry news, think pieces and introducing emerging artists.
Signature elements like the NME Awards and its extensive photoshoots of artists in the iconic magazine provide touchstones to its legacy authority. With a glossy digital aesthetic and hearty helping of British swagger, NME retains its rebel spirit while expanding its tent.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
For six decades, NME has acted like a compass guiding generations of music fans towards what’s cool and revolutionary. Its finger remains on the pulse of upcoming bands and sounds from grime to garage rock. NME offers an accessible blend of music discovery and entertainment.
Beyond tips on tomorrow’s acts, NME delivers news on major artists and fast-moving industry developments with its signature irreverent take. It excels at longform profiles and interviews providing artist insights. NME also hosts beloved events like the NME Awards. For those who want music coverage served up with wit and attitude, NME is essential.
Rolling Stone
Link to the Music Blog: RollingStone.Com
Rolling Stone has been a venerated name in music journalism for over 50 years. Launched in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and Ralph J. Gleason, Rolling Stone revolutionized music coverage with a gritty, counterculture approach inspired by the rock revolution. While covering the full spectrum from politics to pop culture, music remains Rolling Stone’s core.
From the start, Rolling Stone drove major cultural conversations through its bold approach to artists like The Beatles and Bob Dylan. The magazine helped validate rock music as an art form with serious criticism and expansive features. Rolling Stone’s pushes into political reporting and longform journalism further expanded its prestige. Major scoops like publishing the last interview with John Lennon burnished its reputation.
Today, Rolling Stone reaches over 70 million monthly readers through its print and digital publications. On the web, RollingStone.com sees over 18 million unique visitors a month. With its vast cultural footprint, Rolling Stone retains its status as one of music’s most influential voices.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
For over 50 years, Rolling Stone has consistently provided essential news, reviews, interviews and insights for music fans. Beyond covering the biggest stars, Rolling Stone spotlights emerging artists and pressing issues. The magazine’s interviews in particular offer unparalleled access to musicians’ lives and artistic process.
While the music landscape has transformed, Rolling Stone still drives the cultural conversation. Its often controversial stances, from bold album reviews to probing cover stories, get people talking. The magazine’s distinct lens makes music relevant to wider culture and politics. Whether you love or hate it, Rolling Stone cannot be ignored. For its blend of music fandom and adversarial journalism, Rolling Stone remains a must-read.
Consequence
Link to the Music Blog: Consequence.Net
Since its launch in 2007, Consequence has evolved into a premier destination for music and pop culture fanatics. Founded by Zack O’Malley Greenburg and Alex Young as an indie music blog, Consequence expanded into a full culture magazine covering music, movies, TV, and more.
While Consequence grew its scope, music remains its core. The music section serves up daily news on releases, tours, and industry happenings. Consequence also provides reviews, videos, interviews and thoughtful editorials on music. With its sleek, contemporary design and passionate voice, Consequence offers an addictive daily pop culture fix.
In recent years, Consequence has bolstered its reputation through exclusive content and live events. It now draws over 5 million monthly visitors across its website and social channels. Consequence speaks to a plugged-in audience who live and breathe entertainment culture. Its tastemaking authority makes it a valuable platform for artists.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
For pop culture obsessives, Consequence is essential. Beyond just music, it provides unique connections between music, film, TV, and art. Consequence delivers smart commentary on how culture shapes music and vice versa. Its longform profiles provide rare access to artists and industry insiders.
Consequence’s youthful tone and multimedia approach feel fresh. The site’s passionate writers clearly love what they cover. From biting news to thoughtful retrospectives, Consequence offers remarkable range. Follow Consequence to stay on music’s bleeding edge and see how it fits into the wider cultural landscape.
AllMusic
Link to the Music Blog: AllMusic.Com
AllMusic has been an essential music resource for over 25 years. Launched in 1991 as the All Music Guide by Michael Erlewine, AllMusic started as a guidebook series before evolving into a comprehensive online database. Erlewine, an astrologer and musician, was inspired to leverage the emerging CD format and metadata to create the definitive music reference guide.
Today, AllMusic has grown into the web’s most in-depth music database. It catalogs over 3 million album entries and 30 million tracks while offering biographies on over 2 million artists and bands. Beyond its sheer scale, AllMusic stands out for its extensive genre and stylistic categorization. The site covers over 1,400 unique subgenres – more than any other music resource.
AllMusic provides far more than just a catalog of music releases. The site offers detailed biographies, discographies, reviews, ratings, and expert recommendations. It also compiles notable album lists and emerging artist spotlights within genres. AllMusic remains independently owned after being acquired by RhythmOne in 2015.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
For any music lover or industry professional, AllMusic is an invaluable reference. It offers unparalleled depth in cataloging and contextualizing music releases and artists across all genres. AllMusic’s granular stylistic categorization allows you to go deep into niche subgenres.
The site’s biographies provide unique insights into artists and their catalog. AllMusic’s album ratings and reviews serve as trusted critical guidance. The site also connects music to cultural trends and influential movements. If you want to dive beyond the surface into music’s expansive history, there’s no better resource than AllMusic.
Kerrang!
Link to the Music Blog: Kerrang.Com
Kerrang! has been the leading voice of rock and metal music for over 40 years. Launched in 1981 as a monthly magazine in the UK, Kerrang! became influential in covering punk, heavy metal, and hard rock. The magazine was named after the sound of a guitar being played aggressively.
Kerrang! moved online in the early 2000s while continuing its print publication. The website features the latest music news, reviews, videos, concert coverage, and more within the rock and metal genres.
With over 7 million monthly readers across print and digital, Kerrang! remains the most widely read rock magazine brand in the world. It boasts strong followings on social media as well, including over 1 million likes on Facebook.
While it has evolved with the times, Kerrang! has stayed true to championing up-and-coming bands and the vibrant rock lifestyle its readers cherish. The blog’s tone perfectly captures the irreverent spirit and energy within the rock and metal community.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
For rock and metal fans, Kerrang! is essential. The blog offers insider access to this tribal music culture. Beyond news and reviews, Kerrang! covers the scene with extensive photo galleries, longform interviews, video premieres, and more.
The blog has its finger on the pulse of what’s happening across metal and hard rock. Kerrang! provides in-depth coverage of the biggest artists while also spotlighting rising groups gaining traction. Its global perspective remains vital as rock continues growing worldwide. Kerrang! also connects music to the lifestyle surrounding it. For everything rock and metal, the blog lives up to its slogan – “Life is Loud.”
Earmilk
Link to Music Blog: Earmilk.Com
Earmilk is an online music magazine that was founded in 2009 by Montrey Whittaker, Blake Edwards, and Eric DeFazio. Initially started as a small MP3 blog, Earmilk has grown over the past decade into a global publication covering a wide range of musical genres with a focus on underground and emerging artists.
With around 75 writers contributing from North America and other countries, Earmilk publishes daily music news, premieres, album reviews, interviews, editorials, and more. The site is known for showcasing indie artists and breaking new acts, while also covering major label releases and popular music. Earmilk’s stated mission is “underground discoveries across all musical genres.”
In its early years, Earmilk earned recognition from Refinery29′s list of “The Best Music Blogs That Aren’t Pitchfork” and an EDM blog roundup from EDM Sauce. The site has continued to grow, now attracting over 1 million monthly visitors. Earmilk also has a sizable social media following, with over 258,000 Facebook fans and 95,000 Twitter followers.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
With its focus on emerging artists across many genres, Earmilk is a go-to source for music discovery and keeping up with rising talent. The blog’s diverse team of writers offers a unique global perspective. Readers can discover fresh tracks and artists they won’t find covered heavily on other major music sites.
Earmilk provides an intimate look into artists through its immersive interviews and high-quality music premieres. The site also covers key events like festivals and album releases while highlighting important issues and trends impacting the music industry.
From indie rock to electronica to hip hop and more, Earmilk lives up to its mission of showcasing underground music. Its passion for new artists and sounds makes it a must-follow blog for anyone interested in what’s next in the world of music.
Aquarium Drunkard
Link to Music Blog: AquariumDrunkard.Com
Founded in 2005 by Justin Gage, Aquarium Drunkard is a Los Angeles-based online music magazine that takes its name from a Wilco lyric. What started as Gage’s platform for sharing music with friends quickly evolved into a globally influential site covering a diverse range of artists and genres.
Over the past 15+ years, Aquarium Drunkard has grown into a multifaceted music publication. In addition to reviews and artist spotlights, the site features news, mixtapes, interviews, podcasts, videos, and more. Gage continues to steer Aquarium Drunkard’s editorial direction along with a team of contributing writers.
Aquarium Drunkard has also branched out into radio, events promotion, and record releases. The site helped launch Alabama Shakes by sharing the band’s early demo. Aquarium Drunkard has earned various accolades like LA Weekly’s “Best Music Blog” award and nods from major media outlets.
Why You Should Read this Music Blog?
With its finger on the pulse of emerging acts and new music, Aquarium Drunkard provides an invaluable discovery platform. The blog’s adventurous spirit and nuanced writing lend unique insight into both renowned and unsung artists.
Aquarium Drunkard goes beyond surface-level music coverage with its willingness to dive deep on intriguing stories and excavate forgotten gems. The site’s eclectic mix of podcasts, guest playlists, and longform articles offer an immersive experience unmatched by other blogs.
Led by Gage’s discerning curation and curiosity, Aquarium Drunkard remains an essential source for music heads interested in looking past the obvious. Both music newcomers and aficionados will find lots to explore in Aquarium Drunkard’s archives and ongoing coverage.