Pop Music Critic

About the Role

The New York Times Culture desk aims to be the preeminent destination for pop music coverage. Through our reporting, criticism and service journalism, we publish illuminating and memorable pieces that offer trusted guidance to help people live fuller, more considered lives.

The Times is seeking a multifaceted critic with deep knowledge and expertise, a discerning eye and a lively writing style who can enrich readers' understanding and appreciation of pop music, which includes pop, hip-hop, country, rock, Latin music, Afrobeats and beyond. You should be able to write reviews, newsy essays and appraisals of notable people that speak to a national and global audience. We are looking for someone who can make the world of pop accessible to general audiences while also producing criticism that engages and delights experts and aficionados. You will help readers learn about the most important artists and acts across the country and world. And you will deepen their understanding of the leading performers, songwriters and producers who bring pop music to life.

You should be a dynamic, digital-first writer who understands the national and global audience for pop music criticism. You should be eager to embrace new story forms with strong visual, audio and video components. In addition to engaging with readers, you should be ready to employ different platforms, and enjoy collaborating with a large team of writers and editors across all disciplines and in other areas of the department and newsroom.

This is a hybrid position, based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office each week per your departmental guidance. This is a Guild position.

Responsibilities:

• Regularly write reviews on deadline.
• Write critic's notebooks, appraisals and other features, some based on the news and requiring a quick turnaround.
• Routinely use alternate story formats and multimedia as part of your work and criticism.
• Participate in audio and video storytelling, such as joining in podcasts and delivering criticism on camera.
• Write service-oriented pieces that draw on your critical insights.
• Travel to regional and international hubs as part of coverage.
• During awards season, take part in conversations and other live coverage efforts as needed.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
• You will report to the Pop Music Editor.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of journalism experience, including experience working as a music critic on deadline.
• Knowledge of contemporary pop, global traditions and pop history.
• Demonstrated ability to cover everything from stadium acts to indie shows and performances streaming online.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A passion for the mission and values of The Times.
• A lively writing style.

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

REQ-018881