Gabriel Kahane Critiques Pop Music Criticism and NYT Songwriters List

Musician Gabriel Kahane published a Substack essay criticizing the state of pop music criticism, sparked by The New York Times' list of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters. He argues that the list, which he calls "gussied up clickslop," reflects a broader problem: critics have become reactive rather than proactive, waiting for algorithms and marketing to dictate coverage instead of discovering new talent. Kahane contrasts today's critics with past figures like John Rockwell and Robert Christgau, who championed emerging scenes. He references Damon Krukowski and Brad Mehldau's responses to the list, with Mehldau criticizing NYT critic Jon Caramanica's dismissal of Billy Joel. Kahane contends that the poptimist movement, which began as a corrective to neglect of women and people of color, now reinforces algorithm-driven culture. He laments the loss of hyperlocal criticism and the NYT's shift from local to national focus, leaving a gap in arts ecology. Kahane promotes his new album "Elevator Songs" with Roomful of Teeth.