Since 2012, the title of the journal bears the addition ‘new series’ and is published twice a year under the editorship of Birgit Abels, Professor of Cultural Musicology at the University of Göttingen.

The journal is aimed at researchers in the fields of music and dance studies, cultural studies and anthropology, and postcolonial research, as well as practitioners in the fields of music, dance, directing, and choreography who are concerned with music in its global diversity. The articles in ‘the world of music (new series)’ are informed by different theoretical perspectives, but share a common goal: to deepen our understanding of the world's music, their histories, and their diverse contexts. The individual journal issues are each focused on an overarching theme, while remaining open in the methodological approaches of the individual articles. ‘We publish scientifically excellent, yet original and sometimes challenging contributions from around the world,’ explains Prof. Abels: ‘Our goal is to create a productive and creative dialogue between music researchers in different places and contexts.’

The current issue of the open access journal ‘the world of music (new series)’ can be read and downloaded free of charge.