LoadingAlbum and EP reviews go beyond mere critical opinions and fancy language. They hold a crucial, albeit sometimes underestimated, role in promoting your music. Typically authored by experts and passionate hobbyists in the music industry, these reviews offer unique insights into your artistry. Let's examine the importance of album and EP reviews in terms of their impact on SEO, their role in promoting your music, the key elements of a good review, and how to approach trusted sources for reviews (including SubmitHub Marketplace as an option).
This is an example of an album review written by Charles Anotherwhisky, who you can reach on SubmitHub and SubmitHub's Marketplace.
The SEO Magic of Album and EP Reviews
Enhancing your online presence
Well-crafted album and EP reviews provide content that search engines like Google can index. When music bloggers and publications review your work, they generate fresh, relevant content related to your music -- an important step in helping educate fans about your identity as an artist. As search engines scour the web for information about artists and their releases, blog reviews are what fans and A&R scouts will find in search results.
Moreover, it's not just search engines; Spotify itself actively trawls the web for similar artists when determining your place in its algorithm. Being featured on a Folk blog alongside artists like The Arcadian Wild or making it into a Top 10 list of Rap songs alongside Ben Reilly sends a valuable signal to Spotify.
Expanding your online footprint to attract new listeners
Every online review serves as a new entry point for fans to discover your music. Whether it's a blog post, a magazine article, or a YouTube video review, each piece of content creates an additional pathway for potential listeners to find your music.
Boosting credibility and authority
When reputable sources review your album or EP, it adds a layer of credibility and authority to your music. Audiences trust word-of-mouth naturally, so a positive review from a respected music publication enhances your reputation as an artist.
Opening doors for gigs (and more)
Event organizers often reference reviews before considering bookings. A favorable review and a stylistic match can lead to performance opportunities.
Promotion with Album/EP Reviews
Album or EP reviews are a fantastic source of content. Have you ever realized that? Each review is content in itself. They're also easily shareable and reusable in many different ways.
➕ You can simply take a screenshot, create a link button, or share a quote on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube stories. It's a quick and effective way to remind followers of your music and a means of staying engaged with your fans on different platforms.
➕ A segment of an article or a quote can also make for an excellent social media post. With concise and impactful text, you have a lasting presence on your wall that others can like, comment on, and share the joy of.
➕ Consider turning an article into a compelling Reel or TikTok. Use it with a green screen effect, add your commentary (whether with voiceover or with video), and highlight the best quotes about your music. This creative approach can result in a unique piece of content that you can share (and, with a bit of originality and luck can even go viral).
➕ Album/EP reviews are valuable additions to your Press kit. Quotes from these reviews can be used for individual songs and your artist/brand promotion. Also, think about incorporating them into your Spotify About section; if a prominent name says something significant about your music, then your artist brand will rise in others' eyes.
What to expect from a Good Album/EP Review
Insightful Analysis
A good review should offer an insightful analysis of your music. It should look into the themes, musicality, and emotional depth of your album or EP, providing readers with a deeper understanding, including comparisons and references. Make sure to look out for RGB blogs when choosing who to send music to. RGB bloggers have been earmarked as those who write original content and offer extra spotlight for your songs if approved.
Engaging Writing Style
Engaging and well-written reviews capture readers' attention. Reviewers should use descriptive language and compelling storytelling to convey the essence of your music in a way that people want to read.
Such a style yields those unique, punchy quotes you'll be able to reuse.
Honesty and Balance
Honesty is key in album reviews. While a positive review can be great for promotion, it's important that reviewers maintain objectivity and provide balanced assessments, including both strengths and potential areas for improvement.
Honesty is paramount in album reviews. While positive reviews seem great for promotion, maintaining objectivity and offering balanced assessments including both highlights and areas for improvement.
Remember that reviews with both strengths and weaknesses are much more credible than overly positive ones.
This is an example of an EP review by York Calling, who you can find on SubmitHub Marketplace.
How to approach getting Album/EP Reviews
There are a number of ways to secure an album or EP review. One option is reaching out to music bloggers and journalists directly, but they are often overwhelmed by too many requests, so such an approach can yield limited results. Alternatively, you can utilize album/EP review services, such as SubmitHub Marketplace.
Research
Identify music bloggers and publications that align with your genre and style. From simply asking around to using Google, take the time to check if a blog has already posted about music that is similar to yours. Start within your local scene – then move to a more global approach. Email only those that genuinely fit, providing essential information, such as: artist/band name, album/EP name, release date information, specific genre categorization, a list of similar artists that you sound like, download links, and a link to your music video if you have one.
Be concise and clear, bloggers receive a lot of music but only have so much time!
Mailing Lists
It's useful to build and maintain a list of contacts who you've worked with before. In such a list, mark contacts based on what they liked (“for slower songs”, “only very folky sounds”, etc.), so that you're only targeting the right people with your music, thus helping your emails avoid being labeled as spam. A really targeted approach will get you much better results, even if it means more effort.
Still, don't expect too much from cold emailing (being overwhelmed with too many request is indeed the reason why SubmitHub was created).
SubmitHub Marketplace
For professional LP or EP reviews by seasoned reviewers, SubmitHub Marketplace is definitely an effective option. Our platform connects artists with an array of experienced music reviewers. Browse specialists' offers, request quotes, and discuss your vision in detail with bloggers.
Note, reviewers won't review what doesn't align with their style and preferences. In those cases, you'll receive a refund of your credits.
To request a quote on an album or EP review via SubmitHub Marketplace (a music-centric version of Fiverr, but with much better quality control), submit your music to the reviewers you're interested in working with. Each reviewer sets their price, and you can accept or decline the quote. If you're satisfied with the quote, accept it, and the reviewer will begin working on the review of your music. The payment will then be held in escrow until you approve the final product, ensuring a seamless and secure transaction. Learn more about the SubmitHub Marketplace.
Album and EP reviews, even in the age of streaming and playlisting, still prove invaluable for artists. They offer a range of benefits, from improved SEO to rich press kits or expanded fanbases. By understanding their importance and getting your music out there in all the right places, you can help your music career – so don't underestimate the impact of a well-crafted review on your journey to musical success.
