about hot topix
HOT TOPIX is an independent music and culture platform built for people who still want discovery to feel personal.
We cover music across genres through short reviews, sharp features, visual stories, and quick takes that get to the point. No bloated criticism. No endless press-release rewrites. Just music worth hearing, artists worth knowing, and stories that deserve attention.
HOT TOPIX is designed like a digital scrapbook of music culture: part zine, part bulletin board, part late-night recommendation from someone whose taste you trust.
jace sterling
editor & tastemaker
The platform is led by editor Jace Sterling, a tastemaker with an instinct for what is connecting now and what people will be talking about next. Jace brings a discovery-first approach to HOT TOPIX, balancing established artists with emerging voices and looking beyond genre labels to focus on mood, identity, culture, and the feeling behind the release.
petra cruz
editorial writer
Petra Cruz is an NYU graduate, journalist, and emerging author currently working on her first book. Her love for music and journalism has always lived in the same place: curiosity, culture, and the need to understand why certain songs, artists, and moments hit the way they do. At HOT TOPIX, Petra brings a younger, high-energy perspective to reviews, balancing sharp instincts with genuine enthusiasm and a discovery-first point of view. Her writing is fast, culturally aware, opinionated, and rooted in the thrill of finding something new before everyone else does.
We believe good music coverage should feel immediate, honest, and alive. Whether it is a major release, an independent breakthrough, or a song that deserves more attention, our goal is simple: help the right music find the right people.
Contact
- Editor
- Jace Sterling
- Editorial contact
- jace.sterling@hottopix.co
- General inquiries
- hey@hottopix.co