Music criticism is not primarily concerned with providing an objective evaluation of a musical work, promoting a particular musical work or artist, or entertaining the reader. Rather, its primary purpose is to analyze and interpret the meaning and value of music, as well as its social and cultural significance.

Music critics use a variety of methods to analyze and evaluate music, including formal analysis, historical analysis, and cultural analysis. Formal analysis focuses on the structure and organization of a musical work, historical analysis examines the work in its historical context, and cultural analysis explores the work's relationship to its social and cultural environment.

Music criticism is typically more focused on the analysis and interpretation of music than music journalism, which is more concerned with reporting on musical events and trends. Music criticism is also more likely to be written by professional musicians or scholars, while music journalism is often written by non-musicians.

Music critics should strive to be honest and objective in their assessments, avoid personal attacks on the musicians or composers they are reviewing, and be aware of their own biases and try to avoid letting them influence their reviews.

Music criticism plays a vital role in the music industry by helping to promote new music and artists, providing feedback to musicians and composers on their work, and educating the public about music.