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TREND PR’s 20 Best Music Blogs for New Artists: Pop, Rock, EDM, Indie & More

Introduction

Getting your music noticed by media outlets is one of the most challenging but important steps in your career as an artist. It can feel overwhelming trying to “sell yourself” over email, but having the right tools, strategies, and blog targets can make all the difference.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the best music blogs for new artists across genres, plus how to pitch them and build lasting relationships that help your music gain real traction.

TL;DR – 20 Popular Music Blogs For New Artists

Looking to build buzz around your next release? Here are 20 influential music blogs that spotlight rising artists across genres like pop, rock, hip hop, EDM, and indie:

  • Pop Dust>
  • Pop Passion Blog
  • A1234
  • Pop Matters
  • New Noise Magazine
  • Indie Is Not a Genre
  • KERRANG!
  • antiMusic
  • EDM Sauce
  • Dancing Astronaut
  • This Song Is Sick
  • Magnetic Magazine
  • HipHopDX
  • Hip Hop Since 1987
  • EARMILK
  • Elevator Mag
  • Atwood Magazine
  • Under The Radar
  • HighClouds
  • The Line of Best Fit

Ready to Get Featured? Let TREND PR Help You Break Through

At TREND, we specialize in music publicity that works by placing artists in high-impact blogs and digital outlets through personalized strategy, expert pitching, and a deep understanding of editorial landscapes. 

Now, let’s dive into each category.

Why Music Blogs Matter for Emerging Talent

Even in the age of social media, music blogs remain valuable tools for rising artists for the following reasons:

  • Credibility: Blog coverage provides third-party validation and quotes you can use in your press kit.
  • SEO Benefits: Blogs often appear in Google search results, boosting your visibility.
  • Playlist Discovery: Many bloggers double as playlist curators or share music with other tastemakers.
  • Industry Reach: Publicists, A&Rs, and festival bookers still monitor blogs.
  • Community Building: Blog readers are often passionate music fans eager to discover new sounds and find a new favorite artist.

Types of Music Blogs and Their Unique Benefits

Not all music blogs serve the same purpose, and understanding the differences can help you pitch smarter and get better results. Whether you’re building local buzz, aiming for niche audiences, or trying to boost industry credibility, each blog type offers unique advantages.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common blog categories and what they can do for your career:

Blog Type Key Benefit
Genre-Specific Great for targeted discovery of your specific category
Local Blogs Boost regional awareness and hometown support
Major Publications Provide wider exposure and press legitimacy 
Emerging Artist Blogs Easier access for independent artists and their audience

Best Music Blogs for New Artists 

Landing a feature in the right music blog can jumpstart your visibility, boost your credibility, and connect your work with the audience most likely to fall in love with your sound. Whether you’re an emerging pop act, underground rapper, or experimental producer, there’s a blog for your niche; you just have to know where to look. Here are some of the best music blogs:

Pop Music Blogs

Pop blogs are a great launchpad for emerging artists, especially if your music leans into strong melodies, emotional storytelling, or polished production. These outlets balance mainstream appeal with indie accessibility.

  • PopDust: Covers mainstream and indie pop with a strong editorial voice.
  • Pop Passion Blog: Specializes in emotional storytelling and emerging talent.
  • A1234: Focuses on well-branded emerging artists with a strong visual identity.
  • Pop Matters: Broadly cast on all things pop culture.

Rock Music Blogs

Whether you’re alt-rock, punk, grunge, or anything in between, these rock-focused blogs offer strong editorial coverage, loyal readerships, and opportunities for serious genre fans to discover your sound.

  • New Noise Magazine: Covers alt-rock, punk, and everything in between.
  • Indie is Not a Genre: Great for indie-rock and crossover sounds.
  • KERRANG!: Rock, metal, hardcore, punk, emo, grunge, thrash, and everything in between, they’ve been there for all of it. 
  • antiMusic: Daily rock music news, reviews, interviews, tour dates, and more.

EDM Blogs

Electronic and dance music blogs thrive on energy, innovation, and community. These outlets are ideal for DJs, producers, and electronic artists looking to tap into club culture, festival circuits, and online dance communities.

  • EDM Sauce: Accepts submissions and promotes new tracks from rising DJs and producers.
  • Dancing Astronaut: High-traffic EDM blog with a professional tone.
  • This Song Is Sick: Covers EDM, trap, and experimental pop with viral potential.
  • Magnetic Magazine: Magnetic focuses on the cutting edge and is the perfect intersection of electronic, indie, and hip-hop.

Hip Hop Blogs

These blogs specialize in spotlighting rising hip-hop talent, viral underground acts, and genre-bending producers. Great for artists with a strong story, aesthetic, or sound ready to resonate with passionate rap fans.

  • HipHopDX: While editorially selective, they occasionally spotlight fresh new voices.
  • Hip Hop Since 1987: A go-to for up-and-coming talent in the hip hop scene.
  • EARMILK: Blends hip hop, alt-R&B, and electronic, and accepts submissions.
  • Elevator Mag: A go-to for discovering underground and viral hip hop acts.

    • Indie Music Blogs

    Indie blogs are deeply rooted in discovery. They highlight boundary-pushing artists, genre-blenders, and storytellers. If you’re cultivating a unique sound or artistic identity, these outlets are where tastemakers often find their next obsession.

    • Atwood Magazine: Known for detailed artist profiles and genre-spanning indie curation.
    • Under The Radar: An indie music magazine that prints two to three issues a year.
    • HighClouds: Celebrates boundary-pushing artists across indie-pop and alt-electronic.
    • The Line of Best Fit: One of the world’s biggest independent music magazines.

    How to Pitch Your Music to Blogs

    If you want to secure press coverage and blog placements, your pitch needs to be as thoughtful and well-crafted as your music. Blog editors receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of submissions a week, so standing out requires strategy, clarity, and professionalism.
    Here are the key steps to make your pitch effective:

    1. Research Blogs That Match Your Identity

    Before pitching, it’s essential to make sure the blog is a good fit for your sound and brand. Editors are much more likely to respond when it’s clear that you’ve done your homework.

    • Make sure your music aligns with their genre and audience.
    • Read their recent posts so you can tailor your pitch.
    2. Customize Each Pitch

    No one likes a copy-paste email. Personalization shows that you respect the outlet and value the opportunity.

    • Never mass-send identical emails.
    • Personalize the greeting, mention a recent article, and explain why you’re a fit.
    3. Include the Right Info

    Make it easy for the editor to listen, learn, and decide whether to feature you. A clean, concise presentation of your materials goes a long way.

    • Artist name and brief bio
    • Link to the song (private streaming links preferred)
    • Visual assets (cover art, press photo)
    • Release date and story/context behind the track
    • Social links and DPK or EPK if available
    4. Keep It Concise and Clear

    Your email should get to the point quickly. Editors don’t have time for long-winded messages.

    • Keep it short and sweet.
    •  Busy editors won’t read long blocks of text.

    Check out our [Masterclass] How to Promote Your Music Independently and How to Get Media Coverage as an Artist- Insider Tips posts for the best practices for pitching.

    What Music Blogs Look for in New Artists

    Before reaching out to blogs, it’s important to understand what editors and writers pay attention to when deciding which artists to feature. Here are the key elements they look for:

    • Strong Branding: Consistent visuals, professional photos, clear identity.
    • A Compelling Story: Music is emotional. What’s your “why”? Check out what makes your story newsworthy. 
    • High-Quality Production: Everything needs to sound intentional.
    • Momentum: Blog editors like to be part of your journey, not your only coverage.
    • Genre: Look for writers talking about artists that are similar to your music style and are buzzing right now.

    Strategies for Building Relationships with Bloggers

    Once you’ve landed a blog feature, or even if you’re still working toward one, building meaningful relationships with writers and editors can open the door for future opportunities. Here are a few ways to foster genuine, professional connections with bloggers:

    • Follow them on social media and engage with their content
    • Share their articles (even if they’re not about you)
    • Thank them publicly and privately after coverage
    • Stay in touch with future updates, don’t just pitch once and disappear (no ghosting allowed)
    • Respect boundaries (don’t spam their inbox or comment section)

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Let’s get into some common questions:

    Do I Need a PR Agent to Get on Music Blogs?
    Not always, but the right support can make a big difference. Why DIY Can Work Doing your own PR can be a great way to start building momentum. Tools like Groover, MusoSoup, and SubmitHub give you access to blog curators, allowing indie artists to land coverage on a budget. If you’re willing to research and stay organized, DIY pitching can work. But Here’s the Downside
    • Lack of connections makes it harder to get your email opened.
    • Time-consuming outreach can pull focus from your actual music.
    • Strategic blind spots mean you might pitch the wrong outlets or miss your moment.
    How TREND Can Help That’s where TREND comes in. We help artists:
    • Pitch the right blogs with compelling, tailored messaging
    • Leverage trusted media relationships to get real placements
    • Build a consistent story across press, socials, and branding
    • Save time and gain traction in a crowded industry
    Whether you’re DIY-ing or ready to scale, TREND offers expert strategy, authentic media connections, and real results.
    Let’s weigh the pros and cons:

    Pros: Con:
    Great for early-stage visibility Many paid blogs lack real audience trust
    Can build confidence and create momentum May not be seen by industry professionals
    Easier to control the timeline Not as valuable for long-term credibility
    Timing is everything when it comes to music blog submissions. To increase your chances of getting featured, plan ahead with these key timing tips:
    • Ideally, 4-6 weeks before release
    • For premieres, offer exclusivity at least 2-3 weeks in advance
    • Avoid weekends and holidays
    • Send emails early in the morning (EST)
    Yes, but remember to never group-send emails and to customize each pitch, especially if reaching out to multiple writers at the same outlet.

    Conclusion

    Music blogs are still a powerful tool for growing your audience and elevating your reputation, especially when you’re just getting started. The key is authenticity, strategy, and persistence.

    Focus on blogs that align with your identity, craft personalized pitches, and treat editors like real people. 

    At TREND, we specialize in securing meaningful press for independent artists through tailored campaigns, trusted media relationships, and years of experience navigating the evolving music landscape. We don’t just get you coverage, we help shape your narrative and maximize your reach.

    Ready to take your publicity to the next level? Contact us and let TREND help you turn great music into great momentum.

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