background to be a good music reviewer?

I tried my hand at it. but the title and the first phrase in op is what i want the disucssion to be about more

It Was A Blur: A Short Review

After listening several times over to the new independently released album “It Was A Blur” from The Human and Medici, I think it’s safe to say that the phrase “I don’t know much about music” would be more than an understatement. I mean sure, everything’s relative, obviously I know a bit… I used to play the guitar; I could even play the solo for Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix. But that’s not what this review is about, this is about the amazing display of Talent that’s on this album.

After a single listen to It Was A Blur, I immediately felt a strong connection with the album, a sentiment that I have read being shared by many other posters. Filled with lush production from The Human, amazing vocals from Medici throughout, great features from TyFaizon, TheBabeGabe, Monogram, and Paris Williams, this album felt like an old friend who stopped by for an unannounced visit, but neither over nor under stayed their welcome. Instead, their departure was almost as unannounced as their appearance, but only in a good way, the kind of way where, after chatting for hours, they look at their phone and say “oh s***, I lost track of time, this was fun. Keep in touch!” and leave you feeling good about life.

This album is polished talent on display at every level. Every feature, every note sung, every beat, every melody or verse, every sample/vocal chop…. all fine-tuned to create a varied but still cohesive body of work that showcases the best of what every party has to offer. The only reason it could feel too early to call this album a future classic, is because not enough people have listened to it yet. But quickly realizing that, given that the album has only been out for a week, there’s no reason to believe that this album won’t be shared by the people that have listened to it, with their friends, loved ones, family members, etc.

Something I feel like isn’t often brought up in conversations about new albums, is how much an artists’ new output encourages a listener to check out their previous works. In this case, The Human’s production discography is pretty stacked: they’ve got “Paris Williams – A Paris Williams Joint”, “TyFaizaon - Mango Marai & The Saturn Star”, “TheBabeGabe – HONEYPOP”, and now this. Beyond the production team behind them, they all share a similarity of feeling like albums that would make year end lists on pitchfork, complex, or other music publications. It's also one of those albums that I would instantly cop on vinyl if pressings were made (I don't have any vinyls atm).

If you haven't listened to @Mitchell and @Everest lastest album, linked in this post, i strongly suggest you give it a spin. it's a great record.

when i sent bone crusher, brain freezer to a mutual instagram follower, cav empt and palace designer, they had this to say "Oh wow, that was crazy.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns. Starts as a more House feeling speed-garage track some good sub wub and clip-clop garage noises . I love the surprise, Piano and violin breakdown and then it just goes into some awesome glitchy J Djlla Donuts territory after that, with a wicked pull-the-plug surprise ending.
Excellent work! "

I guess i just want some feedback, but also spark discussion on the idea of reviewing art from an outside perspective

@hadjigaviota maybe you'd be a good person to chime in on this

I think some sort of music background, yes

But no you don't have to be a musician

Just have a good general knowledge on music/the main genre you're critiquing

And you should have some sort of obvious track record of being a really active listener and scene participator

Idk why I locked this , I had a really s*** night and morning and was feeling self conscious for some stupid reason.

Pretty good review i like it its very genuine and to the point

Huge agree

Yeah I guess this is maybe less a review than an impressions think piece or what have you, not meant to be a***yzing the musicality of it as much as the enjoyment of it

I guess a good follow up question or idea about reviewing art or media in general is like do you think that reviewing music has a different set of criteria required to be qualified for it then for something like reviewing movies or I mean,
if someone were to argue that reviewing food, specifically fine dining, could be considered in that realm

@Water_Giver

no

as long as you have knowledge. also just general knowledge of other art forms helps too like id trust an art historians opinions because they probably know a lot about to a***yze trends over time, movements significance to society, etc. those people can still express thoughts about where a work belongs in the broader whole as well as in isolation. def helps the more you know about music though

also theres probably some value in casual fan opinions even if theyre not knowledgeable because thats a different side of thigns too. if its well written

@RVI wonder what you think about this based on what you just posted

if I’m not making sense, it’s because I’m lazy and doing voice to text right now

Nah I think it's the same overall for the most part. Film, Music, TV, Video Games, Books etc.

You have to have clear and demonstrable knowledge, and be or used to be involved with the actual scene(s) in some way.

Like for example with Rap and myself - I used to go to many hole in the wall shows of Rappers and I used to be onto Rappers way way before the majority. Like Kendrick during OD (really KLEP but I didn't pay attention till OD), ASAP Rocky before his mixtape, Chance before Acid Rap etc. And I have a track record of it on ktt1, Twitter and IG - plus I would participate in discussions deeply. 2010s I was very outside (and online) for and this would lend to my credibility as a reviewer and/or commentator. As these similar things do lend to others that are actually in the critiquing space.

I think this is the case with pretty much anything.

Sidenote tangent lmao: Food tho I actually disagree, I think a food reviewer outside of Chefs n the like is actually goofy as f*** because of how universal and accessible food is. Food is such an everyday thing that everyone has direct involvement and hands on with. Only "high tier" food is outside the realm of the average person, and most food is prepped a low to middle level outside of the "high tier".

Outside of the average person just simply recommending or not recommending something or introducing something, then i think a "food reviewer" is goofy as hell outside of the high level. It's also easy as hell to pretend to be and try to be a food "reviewer".

i guess it has different set of criteria but still p similar to other art forms in the general sense tbh

also maybe its worth making some distinction between writing about music and specifically writing a review

I think you just need to love music. All music reviewers do is just state their opinion. No opinion is incorrect. The only thing important that is "objective" is calling out people who steal, or pointing out when something is a cover

You just need a camera and a bunch of flannel jackets in different colors