How online music commentary became a cyclone of divisive negativity and why no one really cares if you don’t like a band

The age of online music commentary began with so much promise, a place where fans, critics, and musicians could swap recommendations, dissect lyrics, and celebrate the songs shaping their lives. Instead, it has morphed into a cyclone of divisive negativity, self-congratulation, and pitiful attempts to look superior by tearing down what others love. It is hard to remember a time when social media was about championing new releases and sharing excitement rather than racing to declare yourself above a band or a genre. Now, the fastest route to visibility is to unleash a torrent of snark and hope it goes viral. The irony is almost tragic—people expend so much effort condemning music or entire fan bases, but nobody really cares if you do not like a band. The only thing that matters is whether a song makes someone, somewhere, feel something real. The Obsession with Negative Validation There is a pointlessly competitive sport unfolding across timelines and comment sections: the public disavowal of bands and genres via the infuriating presence of laugh react emojis and the stench of pretension. It is everywhere—people queue up to announce that they have transcended the need for pop, that indie is dead, or that […]

The post How online music commentary became a cyclone of divisive negativity and why no one really cares if you don’t like a band appeared first on A&R Factory.