"This is a great question that many have debated since the emergence of music journalism"
- Sophie Luckett, 20, Journalist
If you know a critic that has the same tastes as you, you would be more inclined to listen to the advice of that particular critic compared to others. You would think that the critic having that same tastes would mean that he would be able to review other music in a similar way to what you like.
When reading a review, the reader respects that the writer went out and took the time to research/listen to the music and find out more about who created it - just to share to other people. It can be fulfilling for the writer and the reader when it's clear in the copy that a lot of attention to detail has been made.
Place of publication. A website or blog with a niche/specific interest in music would allow readers to build a sense of trust in that particular publication, and in-turn, all the critics who write for it. (e.g. NME)
Similarly, individual critics who have made a name for themselves are more likely to be returned to due to the popularity of their critique.
Readers use music reviews as a 'consumer guide', when an album has become popular in the mainstream, you are more likely to find articles and reviews commenting on it, that help to build an overall sense for the reader about whether or not it is worth them spending the time to listen to that particular song/album/artist.
Ultimately, it saves the reader/listener time and disappointment when a review has been found, from a trusted source.
The purpose of a music review is to draw attention to that particular piece of music - it has a purpose, and usually a certain direction that can be obtained almost instantly by the reader from the headline.
Readers can also find out more personal information about the artist that they want to or are listening to, that otherwise would be left unknown, or unobtainable due to the space created between performer and audience. Other sensitive themes can be conveyed in Q+A, often giving the music a sense of the personality behind it.