I think so. Like OP, I would browse Pitchfork's reviews every so often, and often come away with things I never considered. That's the difference between looking at music reviews and following the algorithm. The latter points you to things that sound like what you're listening to, but the former opens your eyes to radically different sounds, or interpreting them in ways you hadn't considered.
Fair enough. I think it's two different search methods - it seems you're looking for breadth of musical experience while I'm looking for depth. I want to find that indie band with 3 followers, you want to see what's popular enough to be in Pitchfork but in a totally different genre.
