In the world of music criticism, the way that artists’ work is reviews is often as impactful as the work itself. Critics, often from homogenous background, view music through a lens of cultural expectations that often reflect their own biases. This lens, known as the “white gaze” creates a framework where certain artists are granted mediocracy, while others are harshly scrutinized. This opens the door to one specific question: Who gets reviewed with kindness, and who is held to impossible standards?

The “white gaze” in music criticism refers to the way that critics’ cultural and racial biases tend to influence their reviews of music. Critics, although entrenched in a mainstream cultural viewpoint, tend to interpret and evaluate music based on a set of expectations that lie within their own experiences. This creates a critical landscape where music that comes from outside these norms…especially from not white artists is often judged at a different standard. This leads to a paradox: artists who conform to or adopt the mainstream(often associated with white cultural values) are often given the benefit of the doubt. Meanwhile, artists whose work reflect marginalized cultures, especially Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color, are often expected to meet more stringent or contradictory expectations.

The double standards in music criticism are glaring when comparing how artists from diverse backgrounds are judged. Non white artists often find themselves focused on, with their music scrutinized not just for artistic value but its perceived “authenticity.” Critics may focus on where the artist’s sound is “true” to their roots. questioning their intentions and their ability to innovate within a genre. In contrast music from “mainstream” or white artists is more frequently considered experimental or innovative when it challenges norms. Their mistakes or unconventional choices are seen as a step in their artistic journey, where as a similar misstep by a non white artist can result in a harsh criticism. This difference in critique stems from a long history of cultural hegemony, where mainstream white values are seen as the standard and artists outside that frame are judged more harshly.

So, who does get reviewed with kindness? Well artists who belong to the dominant cultural narrative are usually granted more grace in their critiques. Their experimental work or unconventional albums are often received as a part of their large exploration or self or even genre. Critics afford them space to grow, even when their music may not immediately resonate with everyone. This leniency is rarely extended to artists who challenge the standard cultural mainstream expectation, as their innovation is often questioned, and those artists are expected to justify their place in the genre, even if their work is just as or even more cutting edge. The narrative around these artists is usually one proving their worth rather than appreciating their contributions to the evolution of music.

An issue that the “white gaze” brings up is that it not only shapes the way music is consumed but also how artists approach their own work current and future. Knowing that their music will be be critiqued through a lens of cultural bias, may artists from marginalized backgrounds may feel pressured to conform to certain standards in order to gain acceptance. This stifling pressure prevents artists from fully exploring their creativity and art, especially when they fear that anything deemed mediocre or too experimental could damage their career. This constant evaluating and higher standards creates a paradox for these non white artists. They are expected to innovate and push boundaries while being kept in a mainstream box.

We need to move beyond the white gaze. The future of music criticism must move beyond it in order to foster a more inclusive and fair evaluation system. Critics must challenge their own biases, asking themselves why certain works are held to one standard and others are judged with more leniency. This requires a deep understanding of cultural context, an acknowledgement of diverse musical traditions, and a willingness to embrace the full scope of artistic expression. The music itself also plays a key role. By encouraging critics and listeners to embrace differing perspectives, the industry can grow an environment that gives artist space to grow and experiment without fear of unnecessary judgement. Alternative critiques from those outside of the cultural mainstream are vital to creating a more well rounded and equitable discourse surrounding music.

Recognizing these biases within music criticism now opens the door for a future of music where all forms of artistic expressions are valued equally. In such a space artists regardless of background are free to push boundaries without fear of disproportionate scrutiny. This shift is crucial not just for the fairness of critique but for the growth of art itself. As listeners and critics, we can contribute by actively questioning the biases embedded in the way we engage with music. Expanding our understanding and supporting voices that challenge the dominant narrative.