Here’s our quick list of the best music blogs in 2024:
- Pitchfork
- Rolling Stone
- NME
- Indie Shuffle
- Loudwire
- Mixmag
- EDM.com
- Your EDM
- UnitedMasters
- Rap-Up
- Rap Radar
- Blabbermouth.net
- Louder
In an industry governed by AIs, why should I spend time reading articles and reviews on a music blog? When Spotify creates a daily playlist carefully curated by its all-knowing algorithm, why look for the latest releases on a webzine run by humans?
The answer is simple: when it comes to art, the human touch has something AI can’t quite grasp.
Yet.
Even though today’s technology is affecting our taste more than ever, genuine reviews and dedication are still the best tools to uncover hidden music gems. In addition, people who love music and want to share their passion with others have always been an invaluable source when it comes to discovering new bands and albums. This is why today I’ll make a list of what I think are the best music blogs in 2023.
To make it easier, I separated the 25 music blogs covered below according to the music genre they focus on. So, whether you’re a fan of a particular genre or just interested in finding out more about it, these music blogs will help you discover new music with passionate and professional reviews.
In this list, I tried to include both mainstream websites and less-known blogs to offer a more comprehensive overview of where you can find the best music articles online these days. Let’s dive in!
The Best Music Blogs in 2024: General Music
Let’s start with some of the more general (and bigger-name) publications. Here’s my quick take on the best general music blogs:
Pitchfork
Pitchfork has been active for almost three decades and is now one of the most prominent music magazines in the world. It can be your perfect source of inspiration when looking for music of any genre, thanks to a wide range of reviews, interviews, and exclusive mixes. However, Pitchfork does more than just publish engaging articles: it hosts online events regularly and festivals in Chicago, Paris and Berlin.
Rolling Stone
Here’s another legendary music website and magazine (first published in 1967) that covers everything related to music and popular culture. Despite the name, Rolling Stone today focuses on all sorts of genres, providing readers with an overview of all that’s happening in the music industry. Aside from music, Rolling Stone has also experts writing about politics and TV.
NME
One of the oldest music magazines still active, today New Musical Express features daily music reviews, radio shows, music awards and news on pop culture. Active since 1952, NME features excellent reviews and exclusive audio samples of upcoming albums you won’t find anywhere else.
Indie / Rock
Here are a few of the best indie / rock blogs:
Indie Shuffle
This South African webzine focuses on the latest releases of artists working in the fields of indie rock, songwriting, folk, and indie electronic. This music blog is the best choice if you want to discover new artists before they become superstars. One thing I love about Indie Shuffle is that you can just play all their latest recommendations directly from the site’s homepage without having to open new links constantly.
Loudwire
Perhaps gravitating more towards the heavier side of rock music, Loudwire is a fantastic news source for anyone interested in the latest information about new and established rock bands. An exciting aspect about Loudwire is their “Gear Section”, where you can watch musicians play and review their favorite equipment.
Electronic / Dance / EDM / Ambient
And a few of our top EDM music blogs:
Mixmag
The iconic music website Mixmag can’t be missing in the life of clubgoers as it provides multiple articles every day about electronic music and clubbing. Apart from news on events and releases, here you’ll find exclusive DJ sets made by the most popular DJs worldwide, tickets to special events, and information on music tech.
EDM.com
Electronic music fans will love EDM because of the article’s variety, ranging from album reviews to technology and interviews with artists. EDM.com also features a gear+tech section which is ideal for those looking to start a career in the electronic music world. However, what I love the most about EDM.com is their “Opinion” column, with great in-depth articles about creativity and music technology.
Your EDM
There are many good things about Your EDM. You can download plenty of music for free on their “free download” page; they have a Discord channel where you can discuss your favorite albums and promote your music; finally, they publish before anyone else news about trance and bass music, with engaging articles and genuine reviews.
Hip-Hop / Rap
Here are some of my favorite hip-hop / rap music blogs:
UnitedMasters
UnitedMasters is more than a music blog. It offers plenty of opportunities for rappers and beat producers to reach a new audience and improve their skills by partnering with brands looking for new sounds. Furthermore, through articles and collaborations outside the music industry, UnitedMasters offers producers the knowledge and opportunities necessary to kickstart their careers.
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is an excellent source of information on the rap/hip-hop world, with exclusive video interviews and in-depth articles. Rap-Up focuses mainly on the latest news on hip-hop, rap, R’n’B music and culture, so if that’s your thing, you should definitely check it regularly as they publish multiple articles daily.
Rap Radar
If you’re into rap and hip-hop, then you must check out Rap Radar regularly. You’ll notice right away this music blog is run by genuine fans who publish regular content multiple times a day. You can also listen to exclusive interviews with established artists on their YouTube channel.
Metal
Here are some of the best metal music blogs:
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth offers precisely what you would expect from one of the longest-running metal music websites: honest reviews and news from reliable sources published before anyone else: everything exclusively about heavy metal. Blabbermouth also offers awesome merchandise and an intuitive submission process if you want to publish an article on their website.
Louder | Together we’re Louder
Conveniently, Louder is divided into different sections that allow you to explore whichever genre you’re most interested in. Ranging from classic rock to prog metal, Louder offers reviews, interviews and general news on rock music and culture. Their “best of” articles are a fantastic way to dig into a particular genre or topic.
Final thoughts on music blogs
As you can see, each website has its own voice, and by exploring them, you’ll be able to discover new artists, facts, and build your knowledge of music more effectively than if you were simply skipping through the recommendations of your favorite music streaming service.
What these music blogs offer you is the possibility to understand what’s behind the songs: they provide insights into the culture and techniques that define a particular genre, allowing you to reach a deeper understanding of the music you’re passionate about.
Music blogs are also great if you’re starting to explore a new genre you know little about. Many music websites provide an introduction to and history of the genres they cover, allowing newbies to get all the necessary information to enjoy the discussions and reviews in the music blog.
The more you know about music, the more you’ll feel the need to understand more about how it’s made. Great blogs like Loudwire and EDM.com give you the chance to study the musical instrument and technology required to create the music you love, thanks to detailed articles and reviews by renowned artists. Once you know enough, why don’t you just give it a go yourself?
I hope you enjoyed this list. If you did, then you should start digging into the enormous archives these music blogs have! Most of these music websites have been around for years, if not decades, so I’m sure they’ll be able to satisfy your music needs for months to come.
Please let me know if you think I forgot some crucial websites, or you just want to tell me your favorite and I’ll check it out.
