Professional feedback. Clearer next moves.
Upstream connects artists with experienced music reviewers for honest, actionable feedback, detailed scoring, and the direction you need to keep improving.
REAL FEEDBACK. MADE FOR ARTISTS.
Choose your reviewer.
Explore genres, strengths, turnaround and availability. Find the professional who fits your sound, with more names on the way.
Browse reviewer profiles
Know what your song needs before you release it.
Detailed feedback, release-readiness scores, and real direction from experienced music reviewers — so you know exactly what to improve before your next release.
Why Upstream?
Built for artists who want credible, constructive, and genuinely human feedback.
Professional
Reviewers
The team at Upstream selects only the most credible music reviewers for our platform through our detailed certification process. We strive to deliver polished and constructive feedback with every order, so you can release with confidence.
Reliable
Service
Upstream is fully run and developed by music professionals with years of experience in the music industry. Our goal is to consistently provide beneficial material for artists of every genre. We want to see artists grow and develop their music using Upstream’s verified reviewing process.
Authentic
Resources
At Upstream, we believe in 100% authentic and human art. We ensure a zero A.I. policy, so you can be sure your music is heard, reviewed, and enjoyed as intended. By real people.
Everything You Need Before You Release
Every Upstream review is built to give artists clear, practical feedback they can use to revise, release, and promote their music with more confidence.
Professional Review
Your track is reviewed by an experienced music professional, creative, or verified industry reviewer.
Detailed Scorecard
Receive structured ratings for songwriting, production, mix quality, originality, and commercial potential.
Core DeliverableWritten Feedback
Get clear notes on what is working, what could be improved, and where your track creates the strongest impact.
Actionable Next Steps
Feedback focuses on practical takeaways, so you know exactly what to improve, refine, or double down on.
Fast Turnaround
Most standard reviews are delivered within 48 hours, with faster priority options available when offered.
Full Ownership
You keep full ownership of your music. Submitting a track never transfers rights, royalties, publishing, or creative control.
Trusted By Independent Artists
Real feedback from artists making smarter, more confident release decisions with Upstream.
The review helped me catch mix issues I completely missed. It felt professional, honest, and actually useful.
Way better than asking friends. I got clear notes on the hook, production, and what needed to be tightened before release.
It gave me confidence before dropping the song. The feedback was detailed without being confusing.
Questions Before You Submit
Everything you need to know about choosing a reviewer, pricing, turnaround times, feedback, and your music.
01 Who reviews my music?
Upstream’s reviewer lineup includes Tucker Maxwell, an artist and songwriter; Jor-El Barnett, Upstream co-founder and music reviewer; Aaron Hampshire, an A&R and music industry professional; and Baylee Lefton, a music curator and radio host. Your music is reviewed by the professional you select when their profile is available for orders.
02 Is the feedback generated by AI?
No. Every review is written by a real person. Upstream provides human feedback from experienced listeners and music professionals, so your music is heard and evaluated by your chosen reviewer.
03 What do I receive with my review?
Your review includes written feedback and an Upstream scorecard with category ratings, strengths, and areas for improvement. The feedback helps you understand what is working and what to refine. Check your reviewer’s profile and submission form for the specific deliverables included with your order.
04 How long does a review take?
Turnaround depends on your reviewer and submission. Tucker Maxwell, Jor-El Barnett, and Aaron Hampshire currently list 48-hour turnaround; Baylee Lefton lists 72 hours. Check the profile and submission form for the estimate that applies to your order. The review timeline begins once payment and all required submission materials are received. Priority options may be available when offered at checkout.
05 Can I choose my reviewer?
Yes. Browse the marketplace, compare reviewers’ genres, experience, pricing, and turnaround, then choose an available professional and submit through their profile. Profiles marked Coming Soon are not yet open for orders.
06 How much does a review cost?
Single-track reviews currently start at $19 with Tucker Maxwell or Jor-El Barnett, and $50 with Aaron Hampshire or Baylee Lefton. Project and album reviews, plus any optional add-ons, may have different pricing. Your reviewer’s submission form shows the total before you pay.
07 What genres do you accept?
Our reviewers cover a wide range of genres. Tucker specializes in Hip-Hop, Pop, and Rap; Jor-El covers those genres plus R&B, Rock, Alternative, Country, and Electronic. Aaron focuses on Hip-Hop, R&B, Indie, and Rock. Baylee is open to all genres and languages. Check each profile to find the reviewer who best fits your sound.
08 Can I submit unreleased music?
Yes. You can submit released or unreleased music for feedback. An unreleased track can be reviewed before you finalize the mix or plan your release. Make sure any files or listening links you provide can be accessed by your reviewer.
09 Will reviewers own any rights to my music?
No. Submitting music for review does not transfer ownership of your recordings, compositions, publishing, or royalties to Upstream or your reviewer. You retain your rights. We access your submission to provide the service you purchased.
10 Can I request another review after making changes?
Yes. You can submit an updated version of your track for another review. If a Rerun option is offered in your reviewer’s submission form, you can select it for follow-up feedback. Check that form for current pricing and availability; a follow-up review is a separate order.
11 Why is a reviewer unavailable?
Reviewers have limited capacity and may pause new submissions when their queue is full. Aaron Hampshire and Baylee Lefton each have a starting capacity of 10 active orders. Check the marketplace and reviewer profile for current availability, or choose another available professional.
12 Does a review include promotion or playlist placement?
A review purchases professional feedback. A reviewer’s industry role or audience size does not mean your order includes social promotion, playlist placement, radio play, or label introductions. Any separate service must be explicitly offered as part of your purchase. A review does not guarantee a positive score or a particular career outcome.
13 Do you offer refunds?
Refund eligibility depends on the status of your order. Before substantive work begins, you may request cancellation; a full or partial refund may be available. Once work begins, refunds are generally not guaranteed. Disagreeing with a delivered review or score alone is not grounds for a refund. If there is a problem with your order, email support@upstreamyourmusic.com. See our Terms of Service for the full policy.