Opinion: Pitchfork Betrays Readers?

Pitchfork, “the most trusted voice in music,” has many readers feeling betrayed today after a decision to launch a paid subscription service. “After 30 years, we’re expanding the role readers have in our music criticism and giving you full access to the reviews archive,” the site announcement reads. Many do not have a problem supporting a publication they have grown to love. The problem here is that the most famous aspect of Pitchfork, its music reviews and scores, are now behind a paywall. Something that used to be free is now $5 a month.

If users buy a subscription, they will also have access to a new feature that allows them to personally rate and review albums to contribute to the overall “user score.” It is pretty much Letterboxd for music. Negative comments poured into the Instagram announcement post this afternoon. Because Pitchfork is probably, in the modern era, the most important publication when it comes to music, Sadprt wanted to see what you guys thought. Almost everyone shared a similar sentiment to those in the comments.

One DM that stood out to me said something to the effect of “you’re paying for someone else’s thoughts.” That is important to remember. Music has never been more accessible and cheap. What you used to pay for one album 50 years ago is what it roughly costs now to listen to all the music you want for a month. If you’re willing to put up with advertisements, you could listen to music for free on YouTube.

So if the music is so accessible now, who wants to pay to read criticism about it? Art critics have been around since art itself but have always thought they are more important than they actually are. Criticism is meant to encourage discussion amongst fans and haters. It has really no bearing on the art itself or how most people consume it. Music criticism has no use behind a paywall because people are already paying to form their own thoughts on what they hear. 

That’s just my opinion, maybe I’m wrong and there is a large audience with their wallets ready. What do you think of this? Do you feel this is a good way to support the press or do you have your torch and pitchfork ready?