We would be delighted to consider your music for review on our blog. Please be aware that we receive a very large number of digital and physical submissions every month. Because we want to write honestly about what we feel and think when listening to your music, we need time — and unfortunately, it is simply not possible for us to listen to everything that is sent to us.
Before sending your physical promo (finished product), consider the following. To increase the likelihood of us being able to review your release, we recommend sending your promo at least one month — preferably two months — before the release date. This does not mean that we will automatically ignore a promo sent a week before release, but early delivery gives us a realistic chance to listen, reflect, and plan.
Please also help us by sending complete and clear information, so our job becomes easier. And very important: please do not send MP3 files or ZIP files as email attachments.
Important Shipping Instructions for Promos / Review Copies (EU Customs Rules)
Please note that, due to strict European import regulations, packages arriving from outside the EU are subject to rigorous screening. To avoid automated customs charges, high handling fees, and administrative delays for press reviews, please follow these formatting guidelines closely:
- Format as a Document / Letter: Send the CD in a flat, padded, or hard-backed envelope (approx. 6 x 9 inches, spine under 1/4 inch). Please process and post it as a regular letter containing a document (Standard Post / First Class) rather than a parcel.
- Customs Declaration (CN22): Modern postal systems usually mandate a customs form for non-paper contents. If your postal service obliges you to fill out a CN22/CN23 label, do not select “Merchandise”, “Gift”, or “Sale of Goods”.
– Select “Documents” only.
– Description: Write “Promotional Review Document / Press Kit”.
– Value: State a nominal value of €1.00 (with the barcode/UPC on the CD disabled or marked through).
Thank you for helping us keep the music moving without unnecessary bureaucratic costs!
I realise this is a lot of detail, and we are fully aware that this EU legislation is far from ideal or sustainable — but unfortunately, this is the situation we have to work with. If you are comfortable with these conditions, you may send your physical promo copy to:
Jan Janssen
Lincolnstraat 2
6566 CT Millingen aan de Rijn
The Netherlands
We are rather old-school, and we hope you understand that we are almost unable to accept digital promos anymore. We already receive around 100 download links every week, which makes it nearly impossible to give them the attention they deserve. Therefore, we strongly prefer physical promo copies.
However, in exceptional situations where a digital submission is necessary, we kindly ask you to provide a single download link (no email attachments) containing a ZIP file with 320 Kbps MP3 files sourced from a lossless master and including full and correct metadata. Please also include a complete Label Copy (composers, lyricists, ISRCs, EAN/UPC, label, and distributors), an up-to-date professional English One-Sheet, and a lyric sheet containing the full text of all songs. Where available, high-resolution artwork and press photos are also appreciated.
Please understand that incomplete or informal digital submissions are unlikely to be prioritised. And finally, please note that we are unable to return promo copies — we would simply go bankrupt if we tried.