# Pitchfork API

> Pitchfork album reviews and ratings are available as a workflow and API.

Pitchfork returns matching album reviews, ratings, and details when given an album title and artist. Its latest-review listings return newest reviews, optionally filtered by genre or Best New Music status.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/pitchfork
- Handle: `@pitchfork`
- Category: [Entertainment](https://fous.com/tools/category/entertainment)
- Source website: https://pitchfork.com
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### Get album review

Operation `get_album_review`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get Pitchfork’s newest matching album review by album name and artist, including its rating and review details. Very broad album titles may not be found beyond the first 120 search results.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `album` | string | yes | `"To Pimp a Butterfly"` | Album title, for example Blonde. |
| `artist` | string | yes | `"Kendrick Lamar"` | Recording artist, for example Frank Ocean. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "album",
    "artist"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "album": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Album title, for example Blonde.",
      "examples": [
        "To Pimp a Butterfly",
        "Blonde",
        "Endless"
      ]
    },
    "artist": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Recording artist, for example Frank Ocean.",
      "examples": [
        "Kendrick Lamar",
        "Frank Ocean",
        "Miles Davis"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "album": "To Pimp a Butterfly",
      "artist": "Kendrick Lamar"
    },
    {
      "album": "Blonde",
      "artist": "Frank Ocean"
    },
    {
      "album": "Endless",
      "artist": "Frank Ocean"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `album` | string | `"To Pimp a Butterfly"` |  |
| `score` | number or null | `9.3` | Pitchfork score out of 10. |
| `artist` | string | `"Kendrick Lamar"` |  |
| `genres` | array |  |  |
| `summary` | string or null | `"The dense and complex follow-up to Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is wry, theatrical, chaotic, ironic, and mournful, often all ` |  |
| `reviewer` | string or null | `"Craig Jenkins"` |  |
| `review_date` | string or null | `"2015-03-19"` |  |
| `review_link` | string | `"https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20390-to-pimp-a-butterfly/"` |  |
| `record_label` | string or null | `"Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope"` |  |
| `release_year` | integer or null | `2015` |  |
| `best_new_music` | boolean | `true` |  |
| `cover_image_link` | string or null | `"https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6616994dee648e2629d84122/master/w_1024,c_limit/Kendrick-Lamar-To-Pimp-a-Butterfly.jp` |  |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "album": "To Pimp a Butterfly",
  "artist": "Kendrick Lamar"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "album": "To Pimp a Butterfly",
  "score": 9.3,
  "artist": "Kendrick Lamar",
  "genres": [
    "Rap"
  ],
  "summary": "The dense and complex follow-up to Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is wry, theatrical, chaotic, ironic, and mournful, often all at once.",
  "reviewer": "Craig Jenkins",
  "review_date": "2015-03-19",
  "review_link": "https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20390-to-pimp-a-butterfly/",
  "record_label": "Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope",
  "release_year": 2015,
  "best_new_music": true,
  "cover_image_link": "https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6616994dee648e2629d84122/master/w_1024,c_limit/Kendrick-Lamar-To-Pimp-a-Butterfly.jpg"
}
```

### List latest reviews

Operation `list_latest_reviews`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

List the newest Pitchfork album reviews, optionally filtered by genre or Best New Music. Results come from public album review listings.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `genre` | string | no | `"rock"` | Genre to include, or all for any genre. Example: electronic. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `5` | Maximum number of reviews, up to 100. Example: 20. |
| `best_new_music_only` | boolean | no | `true` | Only include Best New Music album reviews. Example: false. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "genre": {
      "enum": [
        "all",
        "electronic",
        "experimental",
        "folk_country",
        "global",
        "jazz",
        "metal",
        "pop_rnb",
        "rap",
        "rock"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "all",
      "description": "Genre to include, or all for any genre. Example: electronic.",
      "examples": [
        "rock",
        "electronic",
        "jazz"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 100,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of reviews, up to 100. Example: 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        5,
        20,
        10
      ]
    },
    "best_new_music_only": {
      "type": "boolean",
      "default": false,
      "description": "Only include Best New Music album reviews. Example: false.",
      "examples": [
        true,
        false
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "genre": "rock",
      "max_results": 5,
      "best_new_music_only": true
    },
    {
      "genre": "electronic",
      "max_results": 20,
      "best_new_music_only": false
    },
    {
      "genre": "jazz",
      "max_results": 10
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `reviews` | array |  | Album reviews, newest first. |
| `reviews[].album` | string | `"Pugnello"` | Album title. |
| `reviews[].score` | number | `8.8` | Pitchfork score out of 10. |
| `reviews[].artist` | string or null | `"Gilla Band"` | Artist name. |
| `reviews[].genres` | array |  | Pitchfork genres. |
| `reviews[].reviewer` | string or null | `"Madison Bloom"` | Review author. |
| `reviews[].review_date` | string | `"2026-09-25"` | Publication date. |
| `reviews[].review_link` | string | `"https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/gilla-band-pugnello/"` | Pitchfork review page link. |
| `reviews[].best_new_music` | boolean | `true` | Whether the album is Best New Music. |
| `reviews[].cover_image_link` | string or null | `"https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6ab1778795d5696b67afdb32/1:1/w_768,c_limit/191402061673.png"` | Album cover image link. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "genre": "rock",
  "max_results": 5,
  "best_new_music_only": true
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "reviews": [
    {
      "album": "Pugnello",
      "score": 8.8,
      "artist": "Gilla Band",
      "genres": [
        "Rock"
      ],
      "reviewer": "Madison Bloom",
      "review_date": "2026-09-25",
      "review_link": "https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/gilla-band-pugnello/",
      "best_new_music": true,
      "cover_image_link": "https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6ab1778795d5696b67afdb32/1:1/w_768,c_limit/191402061673.png"
    },
    {
      "album": "Ultimate Love Forever",
      "score": 8.3,
      "artist": "Lex Walton",
      "genres": [
        "Rock"
      ],
      "reviewer": "Hannah Jocelyn",
      "review_date": "2026-09-03",
      "review_link": "https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lex-walton-ultimate-love-forever/",
      "best_new_music": true,
      "cover_image_link": "https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6a9857dd83bf94901ac8f2c6/1:1/w_768,c_limit/Lex%20Walton%20-%20Ultimate%20Love%20Forever%20album%20art.png"
    },
    {
      "album": "Punching the Clown",
      "score": 8.5,
      "artist": "Lambchop",
      "genres": [
        "Rock"
      ],
      "reviewer": "Sam Sodomsky",
      "review_date": "2026-08-25",
      "review_link": "https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lambchop-punching-the-clown/",
      "best_new_music": true,
      "cover_image_link": "https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/6a8c5ccc67a78f90c0d9d783/1:1/w_768,c_limit/Lambchop%20-%20Punching%20the%20Clown.jpg"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@pitchfork",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_album_review",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "album": "To Pimp a Butterfly",
    "artist": "Kendrick Lamar"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@pitchfork\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_album_review\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"album\": \"To Pimp a Butterfly\",\n    \"artist\": \"Kendrick Lamar\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@pitchfork",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_album_review",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "album": "To Pimp a Butterfly",
    "artist": "Kendrick Lamar"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/pitchfork`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_album_review`: Get album review. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `list_latest_reviews`: List latest reviews. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-pitchfork https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/pitchfork --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Track recent album reviews by genre.
- Find review scores for specific albums and artists.
- Identify albums marked Best New Music.
- Compile review details for music research.

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this Pitchfork tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a Pitchfork account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from pitchfork.com when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What score did Pitchfork give an album?

Get album review returns the rating and review details when you provide the album title and artist.

### What are Pitchfork’s latest album reviews?

List latest reviews returns newest album reviews, with optional filters for genre or Best New Music.

## Related

- [Apple Music API](https://fous.com/tools/apple-music.md): Apple Music returns albums, tracks, artist profiles, latest releases, top music, matching songs, and current charts; prices, previews, and older albums may be unavailable.
- [Metacritic API](https://fous.com/tools/metacritic.md): Metacritic provides critic and user scores for games, movies, TV shows, and albums, plus reviews and title details; some albums may match another release, and rankings may omit user scores or dates.
- [Bandcamp API](https://fous.com/tools/bandcamp.md): Bandcamp provides music albums and merchandise from artists and labels, with album details and prices and genre releases ordered by best-selling or new arrivals; availability details appear only when shown.
- [Deezer API](https://fous.com/tools/deezer.md): Deezer provides albums with ordered tracklists, song recording details, and current worldwide charts or official country-playlist tracks; previews and some tempo data may be unavailable or expire.
- [Spotify API](https://fous.com/tools/spotify.md): Spotify returns public artist profiles, album credits and ordered tracks, song details and play counts, up to 500 playlist songs, keyword results, and country-based podcast charts; dates and regional options vary.
- [Rotten Tomatoes API](https://fous.com/tools/rotten-tomatoes.md): Rotten Tomatoes returns movie and TV details, scores, newest reviews, and listings for theaters, coming soon, or at home; series rating counts may be unavailable.
- [Apple Podcasts API](https://fous.com/tools/apple-podcasts.md): Apple Podcasts returns chart listings, relevant show search results, show details with newest available episodes, and country-specific ratings and reviews; results are capped, and older or subscription episodes may be unavailable.
- [MusicBrainz API](https://fous.com/tools/musicbrainz.md): MusicBrainz provides community-maintained recording and release information, matching songs to identifiers and release dates and providing artist details and links when available; some release information may be incomplete.
- [All Entertainment tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/entertainment)