Let Them Eat Cake! - A few words on the state of music journalism in 2022

Despite a long break from music journalism ourselves (apologies) we have still, of course, paid close attention to the words of others and I can’t help but find myself frustrated at my peers in the industry at their attitude to new music. In this digital age we are lucky enough to have such a vibrant array of young musicians thrown at us from all directions, yet it seems all those in the industry are able to do is dismiss them. ‘Not original’, ‘I feel I’ve heard this before’ and ‘nothing groundbreaking’ seem to be buzzwords in the field of music journalism in 2022 as bands are constantly expected to produce brand new, innovative, original music and above all, make it sound good.

Instead I ask the question of these journalists, ‘do you enjoy the music?’ Whether it's because it makes you want to dance, jump around a mosh pit or it evokes emotion, do you enjoy it? Call me old fashioned but in my eyes that’s what music’s for. Not every new song has to be ‘Wish You Were Here’ or ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ revolutionizing your eardrums, and whilst there’s original music around, just look at Black Country, New Road’s latest release ‘Ants From Up There’ why can’t we enjoy a feel good tune anymore without critics tearing into its author for its lack of creativity?

I say let them eat cake! If an artist wants to make a certain song, and others want to hear it then so be it, we can dance the night away to feel good bangers and let the noise of it drown out pretentious, snobby, upturned nosed critics in the process.