After two fantastic years of review production at Filmtracks in 2021 and 2022, the quantity of writing in 2023 has declined. Readers may not yet notice this shift, though, as the site has remained current on new releases for several years now. Instead, the slowdown affects the backlog of coverage of older scores waiting to debut. Fewer scores already reviewed at the site were re-released on album in the first half of 2023, too, reducing re-write activity.

The coverage goals for 2023 are 40 reviews of all-new scores, 30 new reviews of older scores, and 30 revisions to existing reviews to account for new albums. The total reviews "touched" would be 100, the same ambitious goal as last year. In the first half of 2023, 34 all-new reviews and 14 re-writes were completed, with 7 of the new reviews representing older scores based on reader demand.

These totals represent a strong pace on the all-new reviews of current music but a significant slowdown on the other types of reviews. The biggest decline is in the all-new reviews of older scores, a series featured in the On Cue section that has run continuously through 2022 and 2023. The quantity of re-writes of existing coverage should hit the target goal, and the all-new coverage of major new scores will exceed its goal, which is the most important emphasis for the site.

Coverage for the second half of the year will include the 8 re-writes and 17 all-new reviews of older scores currently waiting to debut. No major new features are scheduled to launch, and basic maintenance work is up to date. Some optional administrative tools to track robot activity are planned and may help reduce defrauding of the ratings areas on the reviews. Filmtracks' server situation is stable. Traffic continues to increase on the site, especially on the newest major coverage, and participation on the Scoreboard remains robust.

Expect for coverage to continue its steady pace of debut for the remainder of the year. My day job has been a bit more challenging this year due to extended colleague absences, so the mental energy needed for optional reviewing of older scores isn't as abundant. Also still a priority is my forest restoration work and participation in an ongoing campaign and legal case against local clear-cutters who threaten that dream. As I mentioned last year, that battle will continue for a long time, and you can help my cause here: https://gofund.me/aad8d0d8

As always, thanks again for your support of Filmtracks and my forest restoration work!

Christian