You just sent your new track to the group chat. Ten minutes later, your phone lights up:
“Fire 🔥🔥🔥”
“Bro this slaps fr”
“Sheesh okay I see you”
Cool. You feel good. Maybe even great. But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
None of that helps you make the song better.
If you’re serious about improving your music, it’s time to talk about a problem most artists run into: your friends’ feedback, while supportive, might be slowing your growth.
Here’s why—and what to do about it.
1. They Don’t Want to Hurt Your Feelings
Your friends care about you. That’s great in real life. In the studio? Not so much.
People who care about you often default to being nice, not being useful. They’ll hype you up instead of pointing out the awkward transition at 1:15 or the vocal that’s sitting too low in the mix. They’re afraid that being honest will offend you, so they soften the truth—or skip it entirely.
Real feedback isn’t mean. It’s honest. And that’s what you need to get better.
2. They Don’t Know What to Listen For
Even if your friends want to help, they might not have the ears for it.
Great feedback isn’t about “liking” the song. It’s about noticing structure, vibe, mix, transitions, vocals, tension, release—the stuff that makes a track work. Most casual listeners don’t have the language or experience to explain what’s off.
So you end up with vague comments like:
- “Sounds clean”
- “I like the vibe”
- “Maybe something’s missing?”
…which leave you with more questions than answers.
3. They Don’t Hear It Like a First-Time Listener
You’ve probably played your track 50+ times before sending it out. And your friends? They’ve likely heard your voice, your style, your go-to 808s a hundred times too.
That familiarity creates bias.
They know what you meant to do, so they give you credit you haven’t earned. A new listener won’t give you that grace—they’ll tune out in 20 seconds if the hook doesn’t land. You need feedback that reflects that reality.
Sometimes the best feedback comes from someone who doesn’t know you at all.
4. They’re Not Listening in the Right Context
You send them a link. They play it off their phone speaker on the toilet while scrolling TikTok.
That’s not how your track deserves to be judged.
Good feedback requires intentional listening:
🎧 Headphones on.
📱 Distractions off.
📝 Notes ready.
The best way to make this happen? Give your listener a purpose—ask specific questions, and give them the right tools to leave notes at the right time.
So What Do You Do Instead?
Curate a Small Circle of Honest Ears
Find 2–3 people who will be brutally helpful. Producers, engineers, artists, or just fans with great taste. People who will say:
“Second verse dragged a bit.”
“That transition into the chorus didn’t feel earned.”
“I love the hook—don’t change it.”
You don’t need more opinions. You need better ones.
Ask Better Questions
Instead of “What do you think?”, ask:
- “Is there any moment where you lost interest?”
- “Do the vocals feel too tucked in the mix?”
- “Is the energy consistent across sections?”
- “What’s your favourite part, and why?”
These questions shift the conversation from vague opinions to valuable critique.
Use the Right Tools
If you’re still sending songs through DM and hoping for deep feedback, you’re making it hard on yourself and your listeners.
Platforms like TrackBloom were built for exactly this. You share a private link, your trusted listeners leave timestamped comments, and you get feedback that’s focused, honest, and easy to act on.
Your song gets better. They feel heard. Everyone wins.
Final Thoughts
Your friends love you. That doesn’t mean they can help you grow as an artist.
If you want real progress, seek out honest ears. Ask sharper questions. Use better tools. And remember: feedback isn’t about making you feel good—it’s about making your music undeniable.
So next time you finish a track, skip the group chat. Send it to someone who’s going to tell you the truth.
Your future self (and your next drop) will thank you.