Stories
Who critics heard in whom.
Each story follows one artist through the reviews in the synff archive that mention them: who critics heard in that artist, and who they heard that artist in. Every line is quoted, dated and linked where the review is online.
A comparison is a critic hearing one artist in another. It is not a claim about who shaped whom.
Watch the series on TikTok (opens in a new tab)
2009 to 2012
When critics started hearing Burial.
“Ah yes, Burial: you couldn’t not mention him, really.”
Seven reviews from Pitchfork and Beats Per Minute, 2009 to 2012.
Read the story
2012 to 2026
How Charli xcx became the reference point.
Nine reviews from Pitchfork, Resident Advisor, Rolling Stone and SPIN, 2012 to 2026.
Read the story
2017 to 2026
How Harry Styles became the comparison.
Seven reviews from Rolling Stone, SPIN, PopMatters and NME, 2017 to 2026.
Read the story
2002 to 2026
The long echo of Aphex Twin’s ‘Xtal’.
Seven reviews from Pitchfork, Resident Advisor, Loud And Quiet and Tone Glow, 2002 to 2026.
Read the story
2017 to 2026
How Phoebe Bridgers became a sound.
Nine reviews from Pitchfork, The Line of Best Fit, Rolling Stone, The Quietus, Loud And Quiet and SPIN, 2017 to 2026.
Read the story
2014 to 2026
When critics started hearing Disclosure.
Seven reviews from Pitchfork, Resident Advisor and Rolling Stone, 2014 to 2026.
Read the story
2011 to 2018
Tyler, the Creator believed it first.
Four reviews from Pitchfork and DJBooth, 2011 to 2018.
Read the story
2024 to 2025
Who critics hear in Lambrini Girls.
Seven reviews from The Line of Best Fit, The Fire Note, Clash Magazine, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed, 2024 to 2025.
Read the story
2021 to 2026
How Olivia Rodrigo became a sound.
Ten reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Quietus and The Line of Best Fit, 2021 to 2026.
Read the story
2021 to 2026
How PinkPantheress became a sound.
Eight reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Guardian, Resident Advisor, Crack and Clash Magazine, 2021 to 2026.
Read the storyEvery artist you love has a story like these.
Add them to your Rotation, and your next Drop will be shaped by the artists you care about.
“Actually been put onto some great music - from artists I wouldn’t have found otherwise.”
Scan to open your Rotation in synff on your phone.