I debated writing this.
Not because there isn’t a story to tell, but because Amplify the Noise has never been built around making noise about itself. It was built around amplifying music, sharing discoveries, and creating a space where artists and listeners could meet somewhere beyond the endless churn of content.
But honesty has always been at the centre of this site, so it feels right to explain why things have been quieter.
If you’ve followed this journey, you’ll know Amplify the Noise has existed in a few different forms. It began as 16Clefs, a personal project built around sharing music I loved. As it grew, something changed. What started as a passion became another responsibility, and somewhere along the way, music stopped feeling like the escape it had always been.
I stepped away because I didn’t want something I loved to become something I resented.
The site returned as Pretty Vacant One before eventually becoming Amplify the Noise. The name changed because the purpose became clearer. This was never just about reviewing music. It was about amplifying the artists, songs, and ideas that deserved more attention. It was about creating conversations around music rather than simply adding to the volume.
Then, once again, momentum grew.
This time, the reason for slowing down was different. After years of unknowingly masking my neurodivergence, I experienced a level of burnout that forced me to reassess how I approached everything. A site that once published multiple pieces a day, covering everything we could find and everything we loved, eventually came to a complete stop.
As I continue learning how to work in a way that is healthier and more sustainable, I’ve realised I can’t return to the pace I once demanded from myself. A minimum of 20 pieces a week while balancing a full-time job and everyday life was never going to be sustainable forever.
This isn’t written for sympathy or understanding. It’s written because honesty matters.
Amplify the Noise has always been about looking beyond the surface, and that includes being honest about the people behind it. We could chase every release, every headline, and every algorithm, but we’d rather publish one honest review than twenty forgettable ones. Our goal has never been to compete for attention or fill space for the sake of filling space.
The focus remains the same: listening closely, writing thoughtfully, and sharing music that means something.
There may be fewer posts than there were before. Social media, playlists, and constant output will take a smaller role. You’ll still find us sharing music, but the priority will always be the writing and the artists themselves.
Amplify the Noise is still here.
Still listening with intent.
Still writing with honesty.
Still amplifying what deserves to be heard.
Music deserves more than surface hype. It deserves time, attention, and honest listening.
That’s what Amplify the Noise was built to do.
That hasn’t changed.
Now we’re doing it at a pace that allows the music to remain something worth celebrating.
xoxo, Shelia
Photo by Efrem Efre
