You’ve probably heard these lines. Maybe… you’ve said one or two yourself 👀
We’ve all been there—sending a track out pretending we want feedback, but secretly hoping everyone just tells us it’s perfect and ready to drop.
Here’s the truth: a lot of artists aren’t looking for critique, they’re looking for confirmation. And it shows—in the way they ask for feedback.
So, if you’ve ever caught yourself saying one of these lines… it might be time to ask:
Am I really open to feedback—or just fishing for validation?
1. “It’s kinda rough still…”
Translation: Please don’t judge me too hard.
This is a classic pre-emptive shield. You’re softening the blow before anyone even says a word.
It gives you an out if someone does offer a real opinion: “Yeah I know, I’m still working on it.”
Instead of saying this, try:
“I know it’s not finished—what do you think could make it stronger?”
That flips the energy and invites real critique.
2. “Don’t worry about the mix though”
Translation: Only compliment the songwriting, please.
This one’s common when the mix isn’t sitting right—but the artist isn’t ready to hear that.
The problem? You’re asking people to ignore a major part of how the song feels. If the mix is messy, it will distract from the rest—whether they mean to ignore it or not.
If the mix is in progress, say so! Then ask:
“Does anything stand out in a bad way in this rough mix?”
3. “Just let me know if you like the vibe”
Translation: Please say something nice and keep it vague.
This is the ultimate low-risk ask. You’re not actually inviting critique—you’re fishing for emotional approval.
But if you want to improve, vague vibes won’t help you grow.
Better question:
“What’s working, and what’s not landing yet?”
4. “It’s not really my usual style…”
Translation: If you don’t like it, it’s because it’s experimental, not bad.
This is a subtle self-protection move. It distances you from the track, so any critique doesn’t feel personal.
But guess what? Growth comes from owning your work—even the experiments.
Instead, try saying:
“This is new territory for me. What’s your honest first impression?”
5. “Lmk what you think” (sent with zero context)
Translation: I didn’t really want feedback—I just wanted you to hear it.
You didn’t ask any specific questions. You didn’t say what kind of feedback you wanted.
So your listener gives you the default:
“It’s cool.”
“Sounds clean.”
“Nice vibe.”
And then you’re frustrated because you didn’t get anything useful.
Let’s fix that. Try:
“Can you tell me if the chorus hits hard enough—or should I rework it?”
Now you’re giving your listener a job—and you’ll get way better responses.
Real Feedback Requires Real Vulnerability
If you’re not ready to hear what’s not working, that’s okay. But don’t fake it.
When you pretend to ask for feedback but secretly just want approval, you:
- Waste your listener’s time
- Stay stuck repeating the same mistakes
- Miss the chance to actually level up
The artists who grow fastest aren’t the ones who get the most praise.
They’re the ones who invite critique, sit with it, and use it to sharpen their sound.
Want Better Feedback? Ask Better Questions
TrackBloom was built for this moment. When you’re ready to stop fishing for compliments and actually improve your track, you can:
- Share a private link
- Collect timestamped comments
- Ask real questions that drive better responses
- Keep feedback organized, version by version
So the next time you feel tempted to say “it’s kinda rough lol,” pause.
Try saying:
“I’m working on this part. Can you help me figure out if it’s working?”
Your future self (and your fans) will thank you.