Listen to a podcast, please open Podcast Republic app. Available on Google Play Store.
Episode | Date |
---|---|
Popcast (Deluxe): Morgan Wallen, Indie Sleaze and ‘Survivor’
01:02:11
Introducing a new weekly video show from the Popcast team that breaks down the essential pop culture story lines of the moment.
|
May 31, 2023 |
On TikTok, Pop Music Speeds Up
00:36:58
A 12-year-old Miguel song has re-entered the Billboard charts, demonstrating how the app reshapes listening habits. Guest: Billboard's Elias Leight.
|
May 24, 2023 |
Jessie Ware Is Dancing Into Her Second Act
00:44:37
A conversation about the British musician’s journey to her lush neo-disco manifesto “That! Feels Good!” Guests: Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
May 17, 2023 |
Ed Sheeran Is Vindicated, But Other Copyright Battles Rage On
00:47:21
Do current protections account for how music is actually made now? Guest: Ben Sisario.
|
May 10, 2023 |
Jai Paul Emerges From the Shadows, Somewhat
00:52:53
The elusive vocalist and producer performed his first shows last month. Do they mark the end of an arc, or a new beginning? Guests: Lindsay Zoladz and The New Yorker's Jia Tolentino.
|
May 04, 2023 |
How Fred again.. Jolted Dance Music
00:46:59
A conversation about the genre's new wave of big-tent ambition, and the whimsical British artist at the heart of it. Guest: Foster Kamer.
|
Apr 24, 2023 |
A Spree of Country Music Divorce Albums
00:46:47
Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce and Kacey Musgraves have reacted to breakups — and found freedom — in song. Guest: Marissa R. Moss.
|
Apr 17, 2023 |
The Friendship Harmonies of boygenius
00:37:47
How Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus’s side project has become a major part of their music — and their lore. Guests: Jon Pareles and Pitchfork's Cat Zhang.
|
Apr 06, 2023 |
How Taylor Swift Shapes the Story of Her Eras
00:47:47
The pop superstar is back on tour for the first time since 2018, performing grand stadium shows that spin a narrative from her 10-album catalog. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.
|
Mar 31, 2023 |
The Inevitability of Ice Spice
00:49:44
A conversation about the ubiquitous Bronx rapper’s rise, and her boosts from the meme universe. Guest: Rolling Stone's Jeff Ihaza.
|
Mar 22, 2023 |
The Return of Morgan Wallen (Who Never Went Away)
00:54:15
As the country star’s new album earns the biggest debut of the year, a conversation about the nature of his fame and the scope of his reprimand for using a racial slur. Guest: The New Yorker's Kelefa Sanneh.
|
Mar 16, 2023 |
Celebrating De La Soul, With Questlove
00:58:23
A conversation about the group’s impact and legacy as its music finally arrives on streaming services, just weeks after the death of one of its rappers, Dave Jolicoeur. Guests: Questlove and Joseph Patel.
|
Mar 08, 2023 |
Pharrell and Luxury Fashion’s Hip-Hop Obsession
00:42:22
The hitmaker has been named a creative director at Louis Vuitton, building another bridge between two worlds with decades of history. Guest: Complex's Aria Hughes.
|
Mar 01, 2023 |
SZA’s Very Roundabout Path to Success
00:44:48
A conversation about the singer and songwriter’s chart-topping “SOS,” and the different approach to star-making that brought her there. Guest: Danyel Smith.
|
Feb 18, 2023 |
Lil Yachty Breaks Boundaries and Takes on Rap Conservatism
00:54:24
A conversation about the hip-hop eccentric’s experiments, and the benefits (and perils) of collaborating outside an artist’s established genre. Guests: Jayson Buford and The Ringer's Justin Charity.
|
Feb 10, 2023 |
Grammys 2023: Hip-Hop Wins, Beyoncé Wins (Sort of)
00:54:42
Does respect from music’s premier awards show still carry weight? Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Feb 07, 2023 |
Blackpink, Aespa, NewJeans: The Evolution of K-Pop Girl Groups
00:45:23
Acts with growing profiles and unique personalities are taking increasingly different paths, as the genre’s globalization opens new doors. Guest: Tamar Herman.
|
Jan 26, 2023 |
Ticketmaster Under the Magnifying Glass
00:59:21
The concert giant has long been the target of consumer complaints and artists’ ire. Recent incidents involving Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny have renewed focus on problems in the live marketplace. Guest: Ben Sisario.
|
Jan 19, 2023 |
Jazz’s Year of Reckoning With Tradition
00:44:17
As the genre experiences a creative renaissance, has it become quietly radical to re-embrace the past? Guests: Harmony Holiday and Giovanni Russonello.
|
Jan 12, 2023 |
The Year of Bad Bunny
00:57:31
With a blockbuster LP and a smash tour, the genre-melding superstar set a new bar for himself, and expanded the possibilities for Spanish-language pop worldwide. Guests: Billboard's Leila Cobo and The New York Times Magazine's Carina del Valle Schorske.
|
Jan 06, 2023 |
Year-End Listener Mailbag: Your 2022 Questions, Part 2
01:05:06
Answering reader queries about the state of the music video, Morgan Wallen, SZA and Ethel Cain and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.
|
Dec 31, 2022 |
Year-End Listener Mailbag: Your 2022 Questions, Part 1
00:54:48
You asked, we answered your queries about Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, the state of indie rock and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.
|
Dec 28, 2022 |
2022: The Songs of the Year
00:50:37
Let’s talk about tracks by Ice Spice, Cardi B, Ethel Cain and many more of the 70 picks on our critics’ lists. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Dec 14, 2022 |
The Best Albums of 2022? Let’s Discuss.
00:59:37
Our critics debate their year-end lists (and agree on Beyoncé and Rosalía!) in a wrap-up of the year in LPs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Dec 07, 2022 |
2022: The Year in Atlanta Rap
01:05:27
The country’s most influential hip-hop scene has weathered a period of extraordinary upheaval. A look back at happened, and what’s next. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.
|
Dec 01, 2022 |
Separating Big Business and Bad Behavior in ‘Tár’
00:54:37
The film about a renowned and embattled conductor puts a fresh spin on conversations about art, power and misdeeds. Guests: Vulture's Alison Wilmore and Zachary Woolfe.
|
Nov 16, 2022 |
50 Years of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Talking Book’
00:38:50
A conversation about the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s studio innovations, and melding of social consciousness and musical creativity. Guest: Jon Pareles.
|
Nov 09, 2022 |
Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’: Listener Mailbag
00:54:11
The New York Times pop music team had its say; now a new panel answers questions about the blockbuster album. Guests: Madison Malone Kircher and Pitchfork's Quinn Moreland.
|
Nov 02, 2022 |
Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’: Let’s Discuss
01:07:10
The blockbuster singer-songwriter’s 10th studio album finds her at a crossroads: Will she continue to reckon with her past, or forge another new path forward? Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Oct 25, 2022 |
Remembering Loretta Lynn
00:46:18
A conversation about the country music titan’s sly radicalism and the many readings and misreadings of her work. Guest: Jewly Hight.
|
Oct 20, 2022 |
The Young Women Who Make TikTok Weep
00:49:12
Songwriters who have found success on the app via emotional catharsis have expanded its range, and piqued the music industry’s interest. Guest: Stereogum's Rachel Brodsky.
|
Oct 12, 2022 |
The Sudden Rise of Zach Bryan
00:51:34
The breakout country-folk singer and songwriter has found an audience for his old-fashioned artistry largely on a newer platform: streaming. Guest: Grady Smith.
|
Oct 05, 2022 |
Popcast Live! The New Faces of 2022
01:23:46
Blondshell, Central Cee, Ethel Cain and more: a conversation about what’s breaking through, plus questions from the audience at our first live taping. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.
|
Sep 22, 2022 |
The Perseverance of Megan Thee Stallion
00:48:38
The rapper’s rise has been accompanied by outside noise. How has she grown on record, and how have extra-musical narratives shaped her career? Guests: Rolling Stone's Mankaprr Conteh and Pitchfork's Heven Haile.
|
Sep 14, 2022 |
What Is a ‘Fake’ Artist in 2022?
00:59:27
Firestorms over the “virtual rapper” FN Meka and faceless artists on Spotify have sparked conversations about alienation and creative agency. Guests: Joe Coscarelli; Garbage Day's Ryan Broderick; and Music Business Worldwide's Tim Ingham.
|
Aug 31, 2022 |
Rage Against the Machine, Roaring On
00:46:19
A conversation about the band’s return, its evolving message and the nature of comeback tours. Guests: Rolling Stone's Andy Greene and the writer and "Summer of Soul" producer Joseph Patel.
|
Aug 24, 2022 |
Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’: The Speed Round
01:15:44
The conversation continues about one of the year’s most ideologically provocative pop albums, its queer inspirations and its credits. Guests: Naima Cochrane, Vulture's Jason P. Frank, Resident Advisor's Kiana Mickles and Patrik Sandberg.
|
Aug 17, 2022 |
A Renaissance in American Hardcore Music
00:54:07
A look at the recent burst of bands and how the scene operates as music, ethic and feeling. Guests: Stereogum's Tom Breihan and The Ringer's Chris Ryan.
|
Aug 11, 2022 |
The Robust Return of Beyoncé
00:56:28
A deep dive on “Renaissance,” her relationship to queer music communities and her framing of authorship. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Wesley Morris, Jon Pareles and Salamishah Tillet.
|
Aug 02, 2022 |
Lizzo’s Complicated, Joyful Pop
00:50:15
The singer, rapper and songwriter’s peppy empowerment songs have made her an outlier in a field dominated by melancholic music. Guests: The Ringer's Justin Charity; Lindsay Zoladz; and William Robin.
|
Jul 27, 2022 |
‘Elvis’ vs. Elvis
00:57:35
How much do fantasy and imagination play into how we remember pop culture heroes? Guests: A.O. Scott and Alanna Nash.
|
Jul 13, 2022 |
What’s Next for Jack Harlow?
01:01:09
He’s one of hip-hop’s biggest emerging stars, and he’s cutting a very different path than the white rappers who came before him. Guests: Hunter Harris, Larisha Paul and Peter Rosenberg.
|
Jul 07, 2022 |
Where Is Jazz Most at Home?
00:53:04
The genre has long been filled with tension between mainstream outlets and the spaces in which the music is most likely to grow. Guests: Giovanni Russonello and WBGO's Nate Chinen.
|
Jun 29, 2022 |
Drake Hits the Nightclub
01:02:44
How did the rapper arrive on the dance floor? And what subcultures and expectations might he experiment with next? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and The Baltimore Banner's Lawrence Burney.
|
Jun 22, 2022 |
Digging Into Bob Dylan and Lou Reed’s Archives
00:43:36
Attempting to uncover unknown things about very well known people. Guest: Ben Sisario.
|
Jun 15, 2022 |
Mailbag Madness: Adele, Jack Harlow, the State of Rock’s Return
01:08:29
The team answers your questions about Chance the Rapper, how the critics consider extramusical concerns and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz and Jon Pareles.
|
Jun 08, 2022 |
Can Harry Styles’s Music Catch Up to His Fame?
00:57:46
How his time in One Direction and a powerful online fan base have shaped the pop star’s career. Guests: The Atlantic's Kaitlyn Tiffany, and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Jun 01, 2022 |
Kendrick Lamar’s Anxiety Era
00:58:51
During his five-year pause between albums, the rapper has been reckoning — with his own evolution, and the narrative that’s been constructed for him. Guests: Rolling Stone's Jeff Ihaza; New York magazine and Vulture's Craig Jenkins; and The Nation's Stephen Kearse.
|
May 24, 2022 |
How Gossip Is Remaking Online Hip-Hop Media
01:00:23
Actual music can seem like an afterthought as digital coverage of the genre has tilted toward tabloidism. Are there other paths forward? Guests: HipHopDX's Jerry Barrow; Complex's Andre Gee; and Genius's Rob Markman.
|
May 18, 2022 |
Why We Collect
00:56:26
A conversation about the urge to accumulate treasured items and the stories objects can hold. Guest: The New Yorker's Hua Hsu.
|
May 11, 2022 |
A Decade of Drill Rap
01:08:14
Pop Smoke, Lil Durk, Fivio Foreign and more have taken the sound that emerged in Chicago in different directions. What might come next? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and David Drake.
|
May 08, 2022 |
Machine Gun Kelly’s Pop-Punk Pivot
00:46:38
After decreasing returns in the hip-hop world, the musician and actor stepped into a revival that had roots in SoundCloud rap, and a champion in Travis Barker. Guests: Meaghan Garvey and Arielle Gordon.
|
Apr 27, 2022 |
Will Smith, Before the Slap
00:47:22
Plenty has been said about Oscars night. But what about the rapper-turned-actor’s remarkable journey up to that point? Guest: Andscape's Soraya Nadia McDonald.
|
Apr 21, 2022 |
The 2022 Grammys: Let’s Discuss
00:59:40
What are the awards at this point, and who benefits from them? Guests: Jon Pareles, Wesley Morris and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Apr 05, 2022 |
Charli XCX’s Ever-Evolving Pop
00:46:00
The singer and songwriter’s career has inspired dance parties as well as spirited conversations about her ambitions and aesthetic innovations. Guests: Hazel Cills and Shaad D’Souza.
|
Mar 30, 2022 |
The Many Worlds of Rosalía
00:53:17
The Spanish phenom’s music takes in a host of global influences, making her one of the most sonically ambitious and critically dissected pop artists today. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.
|
Mar 23, 2022 |
The Sounds of Ukrainian Pop
00:39:59
A conversation about some of the country’s stars, the musical traditions they work within and how they have grappled with the war. Guest: Vogue's Liana Satenstein.
|
Mar 15, 2022 |
Reggaeton’s Global Expansion and Wide-Open Future
00:53:39
As the genre grows in worldwide popularity, it is engaging with the pop music mainstream and stratifying into subsets, introducing new opportunities and dilemmas. Guests: Isabelia Herrera and Katelina Eccleston.
|
Mar 08, 2022 |
The Enigma of Big Thief
00:52:13
A conversation about the space the breakout Brooklyn band occupies in contemporary indie-rock circles, and its latest album. Guests: Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan and Pitchfork's Sam Sodomsky.
|
Mar 02, 2022 |
Remembering Betty Davis, a Futuristic Funk Force
00:49:01
A conversation about her unique music, her short career and the path that led to her rediscovery. Guests: Jon Pareles, Maureen Mahon and Oliver Wang.
|
Feb 23, 2022 |
Mitski, In and Out of the Spotlight
00:49:50
The indie-rock musician’s albums inspire deep feelings and attract ever-bigger audiences, but in many ways she remains a mystery. Guests: New York's E. Alex Jung and Pitchfork's Cat Zhang.
|
Feb 16, 2022 |
Spotify’s Ongoing Joe Rogan Problem
00:57:23
The controversy over the star podcaster and misinformation raised thorny questions about the streaming service’s role as a platform, and exacerbated its conflicts with musicians. Guests: Ben Sisario and New York's Nick Quah.
|
Feb 09, 2022 |
Remembering Greg Tate, Critic and Catalyst
01:00:33
Conversations with two of his contemporaries about the fertile scenes he covered, and the indelible impression he left. Guests: Michael A. Gonzales and Joan Morgan.
|
Feb 01, 2022 |
A Killing Jolts Sweden’s Rap Scene
00:54:39
A conversation about hip-hop’s evolution in the country, and how a high-profile shooting thrust the music into the spotlight. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Petter Hallen and Alex Marshall.
|
Jan 26, 2022 |
What’s Left for the Weeknd to Conquer?
00:45:48
“Dawn FM” suggests at least one future direction for the pop powerhouse, who’s spent a decade making careful moves. Guest: The Ringer's Rob Harvilla.
|
Jan 18, 2022 |
2021 in Jazz: Intimacy and Conversation
00:44:03
Throughout the pandemic, the music’s flexibility has become an asset. Where will artists take it next? Guests: Giovanni Russonello and Marcus J. Moore.
|
Jan 12, 2022 |
Bonus Episode: Lana Del Rey’s American Fever Dreams
00:53:08
As a New Year's treat, we've recovered an old episode sidelined by technical issues (thank you, Pedro!): a discussion of Lana Del Rey’s “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” and the long arc of her career. Guests: Mina Tavakoli and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Jan 01, 2022 |
What We Forgot to Talk About in 2021
00:59:04
A catch-up round table on a host of topics: Maneskin, Jazmine Sullivan, Kelly Clarkson, a Real Housewife’s music career and much more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.
|
Dec 28, 2021 |
TikTok’s Music Critics Reflect on 2021
01:02:14
Four of the app’s voices on pop name their favorite releases of the year and discuss developing taste in the age of the algorithm. Guests: Margeaux Labat, Eric Morris, Cam Sullivan-Brown and Hunter White.
|
Dec 21, 2021 |
The Best Albums of 2021? Let’s Discuss.
00:56:55
Our critics spar over their year-end lists (and agree on Olivia Rodrigo and Tyler, the Creator) in a wrap-up of the year in LPs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Dec 14, 2021 |
Remembering Stephen Sondheim, Musical Theater Visionary
00:39:53
A conversation about his legacy, his engagements with pop music and whether he has any true inheritors. Guests: Jesse Green and Elisabeth Vincentelli.
|
Dec 07, 2021 |
Adele Returns, From Beyond Space and Time
00:46:28
Will we ever see a star who unites audiences like this British musician again? Guests: Jon Pareles and Pitchfork's Jillian Mapes.
|
Nov 30, 2021 |
The Emotional and Financial Business of Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’
00:36:52
What does the rerecorded song from “Red” say about how power and the past have shaped her career? Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Nov 17, 2021 |
Remembering the Velvet Underground Through the Mirror of Film
00:39:35
A conversation about how the band was experienced in its time, and how Todd Haynes’s new documentary explores the world that birthed it. Guests: Jon Pareles and A.O. Scott.
|
Nov 16, 2021 |
How the Mosh Pit and ‘Raging’ Came to Hip-Hop
00:41:29
The tragedy at Travis Scott’s Astroworld turned attention to how rap festival performances are increasingly oriented toward the rowdy. Guest: Masked Gorilla and Masked Records' Roger Gengo.
|
Nov 09, 2021 |
Popcast Mailbag! Halsey, Nicki, TikTok and, of Course, Taylor
01:15:18
Answering your questions about pop’s big names, the state of the music video and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.
|
Nov 03, 2021 |
glaive and Hyperpop’s Breakthrough Moment
00:48:12
A conversation about one teen’s rapid ascent, and what the future might hold for a singer and sound evolving in real time. Guest: The Fader's Alex Robert Ross.
|
Oct 19, 2021 |
The Music Lost to Coronavirus, Part 3
00:56:57
Remembering Jacob Desvarieux, John Davis and Chucky Thompson. Guests: The New Yorker's Doreen St. Felix; Billboard's Gil Kaufman; Jeff Mao.
|
Oct 12, 2021 |
The Reporters Who Covered R. Kelly on His Trial and Conviction
00:44:55
A conversation about the testimony, the meaning of the verdict and the long quest for proper recompense for the singer’s victims. Guests: Troy Closson and Jim DeRogatis.
|
Oct 05, 2021 |
Bringing Aaliyah Into the Streaming Era
00:58:17
A conversation about the tug of war over her musical legacy, and how her songs — even without a digital presence — impacted the evolution of contemporary R&B. Guests: Naima Cochrane; Billboard's Gail Mitchell and Dan Rys.
|
Sep 28, 2021 |
Kacey Musgraves, Country Music Chameleon
00:55:07
The singer and songwriter’s “Star-Crossed” documents the end of her marriage. But reports of her divorce from Nashville have been greatly exaggerated. Guests: Amanda Hess and The Guardian's Laura Snapes.
|
Sep 21, 2021 |
Is Drake Tired of Drake?
01:00:53
“Certified Lover Boy” dominated the charts, but something seems to have shifted in the most influential pop star of the past decade. Guests: The Ringer's Charles Holmes and Rolling Stone's Jeff Ihaza.
|
Sep 14, 2021 |
Miss the Old Kanye? Try the New Kanye.
01:01:11
West has always been dreaming big, speaking loudly, courting controversy and channeling all of that into music. But one thing has changed. Guests: Vibe's Datwon Thomas and The Ringer's Justin Charity.
|
Sep 07, 2021 |
Lorde Steals Her Sunshine Back
00:54:50
How successful is a sunny new phase of her career, and what does it mean to choose to move away from the expectations of superstardom? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Aug 30, 2021 |
The Style of Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ Era
00:47:45
How West has used fashion to signify musical evolution, how he’s been regarded by the fashion industry and how other musicians are following in his footsteps. Guests: GQ's Rachel Tashjian and Vogue's Steff Yotka.
|
Aug 24, 2021 |
The Lox, Triumphant at Verzuz
00:56:53
A conversation about New York hip-hop in the 1990s and early 2000s, and a night that brought the spirit of battle back to the pandemic-era staple. Guests: Jayson Rodriguez and Jayson Buford.
|
Aug 16, 2021 |
Billie Eilish’s New Pop Perspective
00:58:16
How has the teenage phenomenon’s songwriting, and her relationship to the larger music machine, evolved between albums? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Aug 09, 2021 |
Lil Nas X in the Pop Stratosphere
00:39:12
A conversation about his unconventional path to success, his unconventional methods of maintaining it and his possible futures beyond it. Guest: Jazmine Hughes.
|
Jul 23, 2021 |
When Pop Music Trolls Grow Up
00:50:01
New albums from Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator place their makers — children of the internet with a taste for friction — in a new light. Guest: The Ringer's Justin Charity.
|
Jul 19, 2021 |
The (Not So?) Tentative Return of Live Music
00:30:33
A look at the challenges touring musicians faced over the last year, and how the industry is adjusting to the new normal. Guest: Ben Sisario.
|
Jul 12, 2021 |
Britney Spears Takes On Her Conservatorship
00:48:39
An exploration of how the arrangement has intersected with her work, the latest legal updates and what might come next. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Liz Day and Samantha Stark.
|
Jul 01, 2021 |
In the Weeds of ‘In the Heights’
00:52:09
A conversation about bringing musicals to the big screen, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s artistic choices and the critical blowback to the film’s casting. Guests: Sandra Garcia, Isabelia Herrera and Lena Wilson.
|
Jun 18, 2021 |
Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ Breakthrough
00:56:50
Few artists making pop music have risen to the top in the past several years. What made this Disney star click with listeners? Guests: Olivia Horn and Lindsay Zoladz.
|
Jun 04, 2021 |
J. Cole, Triumphant (at His Own Pace)
01:00:24
The rapper’s sixth No. 1 album is here. Listen to a conversation about his career, and the long exchange between hip-hop and basketball. Guests: The New York Times's Elena Bergeron and Rap Portraits' Yoh Phillips.
|
May 29, 2021 |
The Beatific Re-emergence of Beverly Glenn-Copeland
00:47:03
A conversation about his winding path to a receptive, ready audience — and how music can be a bulwark against cynicism and trauma. Guests: Taja Cheek and Mina Tavakoli.
|
May 14, 2021 |
Where Is Country Music Making Room for Women?
00:52:09
Nashville remains challenging for women artists. But some rising performers are breaking through on radio — and TikTok. Guests: Marissa Moss and Natalie Weiner of the Don’t Rock the Inbox newsletter.
|
May 09, 2021 |
The Sing-Rap Generation Branches Out
00:51:53
How melody has continued to reshape hip-hop via the work of Polo G, Rod Wave, Lil Tjay and more rising artists. Guest: Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre.
|
Apr 26, 2021 |
When a TikTok Influencer Dances, Who Gets Credit?
00:39:56
Addison Rae’s appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show sparked conversations about appropriation and how dance has been central to the platform. Guest: Taylor Lorenz.
|
Apr 16, 2021 |
The Telling of DMX’s Life Story
00:58:03
A conversation about the intense potency of the rapper’s music and religious fervor, and what it was like to interview him. Guest: Smokey Fontaine, the co-author of the 2002 book “E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.”
|
Apr 11, 2021 |
Taylor, Billie, Demi, Blackpink: The Pop Star Documentary Boom
00:59:29
A conversation about the influx of films made about (and by) current stars and its implications for the format. Guests: The Observer's Simran Hans; and Caryn Ganz.
|
Apr 02, 2021 |
The Grammys, Improbably, Made It Work
01:03:24
The show navigated a year of crisis, minted a new generation of stars and didn’t fixate on boomers. Guests: Jon Pareles, Joe Coscarelli, Ben Sisario, Lindsay Zoladz and Caryn Ganz.
|
Mar 16, 2021 |
TikTok and the Pop Music Rough Draft
00:50:07
The wildly popular platform has reshaped pop during the coronavirus pandemic, and changed how record labels grapple with unpredictable virality. Guest: Caryn Ganz.
|
Mar 13, 2021 |
New Jazz That Agitates for Change
00:49:54
A conversation about strong recent debuts, and how canon and community can be in tension. Guests: Giovanni Russonello and Marcus J. Moore.
|
Mar 02, 2021 |
Remembering Sophie, Architect of Future Pop
00:53:40
Exploring the legacy of a producer and performer who imagined an approach to music without borders. Guests: Sasha Geffen and Pitchfork's Philip Sherburne.
|
Feb 15, 2021 |
The Music Lost to Coronavirus, Part 2
01:06:31
Remembering Fred the Godson, Adam Schlesinger and Cristina. Guests: Kurt B. Reighley; Complex's Shawn Setaro; and Ben Sisario.
|
Feb 05, 2021 |
Olivia Rodrigo and ‘Drivers License’ Aren’t Going Anywhere
01:03:54
A conversation about the year’s first genuine pop phenomenon, and the long arc of the Disney machine. Guests: Joe Coscarelli; Vulture's Justin Curto; and Larisha Paul.
|
Jan 31, 2021 |
Inside the Bull Market for Songwriting Rights
00:44:53
The emergence of Hipgnosis has helped turn the battle for catalogs into an arms race that shows no signs of slowing down. Guest: Ben Sisario.
|
Jan 19, 2021 |
How Zev Love X Became MF Doom
01:17:02
Conversations about the legacy of the beloved rap figure’s early career, which set the table for the artist he would become. Guests: Stretch Armstrong, Bobbito Garcia and Dante Ross.
|
Jan 07, 2021 |
2020 Popcast Listener Mailbag: Taylor, Dua, MGK and More
01:16:58
Answering your questions about the year’s biggest stars, and also some of its curious flops. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.
|
Dec 23, 2020 |
Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore’: Let’s Discuss
00:58:21
A second album written and recorded during pandemic lockdown carries the singer and songwriter further from conventional pop. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz and Jon Pareles.
|
Dec 15, 2020 |
The Best Albums of 2020? Let’s Discuss.
01:09:09
An absence of live music refocused attention on records, and work by Fiona Apple, Taylor Swift and Run the Jewels spoke loudly. |
Dec 09, 2020 |
Saweetie, City Girls and the Female Rapper Renaissance
00:54:52
Streaming, social media and the tireless work of trailblazers have helped change the hip-hop landscape. |
Nov 29, 2020 |
Who Will Control Britney Spears’s Future?
00:53:31
While her father remains the head of her estate for now, the pop star has signaled she’s ready for change. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Vanessa Grigoriadis. |
Nov 18, 2020 |
Ariana Grande, a Pop Star for the Post-Pop Star Age
01:05:55
A conversation about her unique route to the top of the charts — and what’s next. Guests: Lindsay Zoladz and Shaad D’Souza. |
Nov 10, 2020 |
The Many Mariah Careys
01:04:39
A conversation about her memoir, her range of contributions to pop music and her secret alt-rock album. Guests: New York's Allison P. Davis; Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz. |
Oct 22, 2020 |
Luke Combs’s Country Stardom and the Remaking of the Bro
00:59:59
The Nashville star learned from the genre’s past and carved his own path. Guest: Grady Smith. |
Oct 04, 2020 |
Will Pop Music of the Future Rely on Actual Musicians, or Avatars?
00:43:18
The pandemic has sped up how digital look-alikes are reshaping stardom. Guest: The Ringer's Alyssa Bereznak. |
Sep 28, 2020 |
Is TikTok a Music Industry Friend or Troll?
00:51:22
“Old Town Road” showed the app’s potential as a hit generator. But its relationship to the business is far more complex. Guest: Taylor Lorenz. |
Sep 17, 2020 |
Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, Preserving Pop’s Old Guard
00:48:22
Six albums into major-label careers with “Chromatica” and “Smile,” where do these two stars fit in? Guest host: Caryn Ganz. Guest: Lindsay Zoladz. |
Sep 09, 2020 |
Remembering Riley Gale of Power Trip, a Thrash Titan
00:56:56
The band’s 34-year-old frontman helped break down barriers between scenes, and was known for singularly wild live shows. Guests: Dan Franklin; James Khubiar; and Andy O’Connor. |
Sep 01, 2020 |
How Merchandise Bundles Undid the Album Chart
00:53:42
For today’s biggest artists, an album release isn’t just about the music. Guest: Ben Sisario. |
Aug 22, 2020 |
The Music Lost to Coronavirus, Part 1
00:58:27
Remembering Joe Diffie, Mona Foot and DJ Black N Mild. Guests: Hits' Holly Gleason; Jacob Bernstein; and Elena Bergeron. |
Aug 18, 2020 |
The Welcome Return of the Chicks
00:55:17
How would Nashville be different if it hadn’t pushed the trio away? A conversation about “Gaslighter” and beyond. Guests: Jewly Hight and Slate's Carl Wilson. |
Aug 10, 2020 |
Answering Your Questions About Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’
01:27:25
Readers asked about Bon Iver, country music, Jack Antonoff and more. Guests: Northwestern University's Lauren Michele Jackson and Lindsay Zoladz. |
Aug 04, 2020 |
Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’: Let’s Discuss
01:04:24
On an album made entirely in quarantine, the singer and songwriter embarks in a fresh direction. Guests: Jon Pareles, Caryn Ganz and Joe Coscarelli. |
Jul 28, 2020 |
Remembering Ennio Morricone, the Film Score Maestro
00:53:12
His music was dynamic, bold and idiosyncratic, setting a high bar for composers connecting sound and vision. Guests: Jon Pareles and Joshua Rothkopf. |
Jul 20, 2020 |
The Timely Agitation of Run the Jewels
01:05:20
Killer Mike and El-P’s anti-government and pro-justice hip-hop feels like it anticipated the current moment. Guest: Pitchfork's Sheldon Pearce. |
Jul 09, 2020 |
Pop Superfans Are Getting Politically Active. What Happens Next?
00:55:44
A subset of passionate listeners are asking for more of their heroes than simply music. Guest: Denisha Kuhlor. |
Jun 30, 2020 |
Lil Baby Is Warming Up to the Spotlight
00:42:34
His protest song “The Bigger Picture” marks a high point in his evolution from reluctant up-and-comer to one of hip-hop’s reliable superstars. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. |
Jun 21, 2020 |
The Long, Complicated History of ‘Urban’ Music
00:58:26
As the music industry reckons with racial inequality, one of the first old structures to fall has been a term that dates back to the 1970s. Guest: Nelson George. |
Jun 15, 2020 |
How Did The Source Cover the 1992 Los Angeles Uprisings?
00:47:56
Two former editors look back at the magazine’s on-the-ground reporting following the Rodney King verdict. Guests: James Bernard and Reginald Dennis. |
Jun 07, 2020 |
After Missteps, Pop Stars Apologize … and Sometimes Push Back
01:14:04
Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and how some in the limelight bristle at social media condemnation. Guest: The Ringer's Justin Charity. |
Jun 01, 2020 |
The Many Lives of Doja Cat
00:46:14
The pop star took an extremely nonlinear path to No. 1, and continues to push the boundaries of online behavior. Guest: Lakin Starling. |
May 18, 2020 |
Remembering Tony Allen and Florian Schneider, Two Pillars of Rhythm
01:01:03
Thousands of miles apart, and with radically different tools, both musicians were innovating. Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles; and Joseph Patel. |
May 11, 2020 |
The Triumphant Return of Fiona Apple, Pop Music Renegade
00:53:14
A conversation about everything “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” and beyond. Guests: Jenn Pelly and Lindsay Zoladz. |
Apr 30, 2020 |
Beyond ‘Trolls’ and ‘Frozen’: What Are Our Kids Listening To?
01:00:49
Children’s films lean heavily on pop, but the elementary school set has access to a whole universe of music now. Guests: The New York Times's Gilbert Cruz, Jeremy Egner, Dave Itzkoff and Dave Renard. |
Apr 19, 2020 |
Dua Lipa, Dance-Pop Crusader
00:47:56
The English pop star has given fans an upbeat album at a very dark time. Guest: Caryn Ganz. |
Apr 11, 2020 |
Sam Hunt and Kenny Rogers, Country Music Rule-Benders
00:56:40
Both artists pulled Nashville in fresh directions, and gave the genre growing pains. Guests: Bill Friskics-Warren and Natalie Weiner. |
Apr 05, 2020 |
What Is the Role of Criticism in a Crisis?
00:57:06
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the world, and the arts are reeling. Pop music critics are asking (and facing) hard questions. Guests: The Ringer's Rob Harvilla, New York's Craig Jenkins and Lindsay Zoladz. |
Mar 27, 2020 |
What Music Should I Listen to in a Crisis?
01:05:02
Pop critics from around the country recommend pick-me-ups: Pharrell, the Pointer Sisters, Helado Negro and more. |
Mar 20, 2020 |
How Will Pop Music Respond to the Coronavirus?
00:59:29
The ways the pandemic has already reshaped the year, and what might happen in pop next. Guests: The New York Times's Ben Sisario and Jon Pareles. |
Mar 19, 2020 |
The Unrelenting Space Jams of Tame Impala
00:43:16
How has Kevin Parker built and sustained his successful psych-rock project — and where will he head next? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles and Pitchfork's Jillian Mapes. |
Mar 08, 2020 |
The Death of Pop Smoke and the Future of Brooklyn Drill
00:58:54
The 20-year-old rapper was poised to carry the scene’s sound to the world. Guest: Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre. |
Feb 28, 2020 |
Justin Bieber Is Back With Confessions, Personal and Musical
01:01:03
One of pop’s biggest stars returns with an album that has unexpected kinship with new music from Harry Styles and Selena Gomez. Guest: Lindsay Zoladz. |
Feb 21, 2020 |
Answering Your Questions About Britney, Billie, Aaliyah and More
01:08:40
The Popcast opens its mailbag in the second of two episodes devoted to our listeners. Guests: The New York Times’s Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz and Jon Pareles. |
Feb 14, 2020 |
Answering Your Questions About Taylor, Mitski, Emo and More
01:03:55
The Popcast opens its mailbag in the first of two episodes devoted to our listeners. Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz. |
Feb 07, 2020 |
When Did the Super Bowl Halftime Show Become Political?
00:57:06
A conversation about how its meaning has evolved over the last two decades. Guests: The New York Times's Elena Bergeron and The Undefeated's Soraya Nadia McDonald. |
Feb 01, 2020 |
The Grammys, Dissected: Out With the Old, in With the Billie, Lizzo and Tyler
01:11:11
Did the deserving artists win? Was Aerosmith terrible? The debates rage on our post-awards show. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz, Wesley Morris and Jon Pareles. |
Jan 28, 2020 |
How TikTok Is Killing the Radio Songwriter
00:53:06
Songs that work in 15-second bursts are different from tracks that succeed on the FM dial. Guests: The writer Aimee Cliff and GodMode's Nick Sylvester. |
Jan 17, 2020 |
In 2019, Jazz Reckoned With Old Boundaries, and Marched Past Them
00:56:00
A conversation about the best jazz albums of the year, and what they tell us about the genre’s future. Guests: Martin Johnson and Giovanni Russonello. |
Jan 11, 2020 |
Were These the Best Albums of the 2010s?
01:15:22
A revealing (and hilarious) look back at our year-end lists from the past decade. Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles and Joe Coscarelli. |
Dec 31, 2019 |
Debating the Best Albums of 2019
00:57:22
How do you measure a year in pop? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles, Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz. |
Dec 20, 2019 |
Juice WRLD and the Crisis of SoundCloud Rap-Era Fame
00:51:54
Success is coming faster than ever for a new generation of musicians. But at what price? Guests: David Turner; the directors Ramez Silyan and Sebastian Jones. |
Dec 13, 2019 |
Would Prince Have Wanted His Rough Drafts Made Public?
00:52:09
A memoir and a deluxe edition of “1999” offer a new perspective on the meticulous artist. Guests: Jon Pareles, Naima Cochrane, Keith Murphy and Jay Smooth. |
Dec 08, 2019 |
Dissecting the 2020 Grammy Nominations
00:52:17
Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X lead the way. But has the Recording Academy’s relationship to pop changed? Guests: The full New York Times pop music team. |
Nov 22, 2019 |
Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Lana Del Rey: Pop Stars (and Their Fans) Clap Back
01:10:20
Are artists responsible when their fan armies can be weaponized? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Lindsay Zoladz. |
Nov 20, 2019 |
Can Reality Television Produce a Plausible Rap Star?
00:57:19
Netflix’s “Rhythm + Flow” is the most recent example of the reality-TV business trying to get into the hip-hop business. Guests: Complex's Frazier Tharpe and Stereogum's Tom Breihan. |
Nov 11, 2019 |
Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Is King,’ From the Gospel Perspective
01:04:37
Gospel music insiders on the rapper’s turn to religious music and how his album relates to contemporary holy hip-hop. Guests: Root's Hasan James and The Journal of Gospel Music's Robert Marovich. |
Oct 30, 2019 |
The Rise of DaBaby, From Memes to the Mosh Pit
01:14:23
The year’s most consistent new hip-hop star combines intense rhymes with online savvy. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. |
Oct 19, 2019 |
The Highwomen, Miranda Lambert and the Women Invigorating Country Music
01:03:24
Nashville has long marginalized female performers, songwriters and producers. But a wave of artists is fighting back. Guests: Jada Watson and Natalie Weiner. |
Oct 11, 2019 |
Is 100 gecs the End of Pop, or a New Beginning?
01:05:05
One of the year’s most unlikely breakthroughs is a duo that makes disorienting, genre-jumbling music. Guests: Eli Enis and The Fader's Larry Fitzmaurice. |
Oct 05, 2019 |
A New Flood of English-Spanish Pop Is Here. Is It Opportunism or Progress?
01:04:25
Collaborations have flourished in the wake of “Despacito,” some sounding natural, some sounding forced. Guest: Remezcla's Eduardo Cepeda. |
Sep 29, 2019 |
How Does Post Malone Sound Like Everything and Nothing?
00:59:20
A conversation about his rapid rise and the questions — about genre and race — glossed over along the way. Guests: Pitchfork's Jayson Greene and The New York Times Magazine's Jonah Weiner. |
Sep 22, 2019 |
Young Thug Gets His Due, But Is It Too Late?
01:09:16
One of the decade’s most copied rappers finally reached No. 1 on the album chart, years after his aesthetic rubbed off on hip-hop. Guest: Andrew Nosnitsky. |
Sep 07, 2019 |
What’s the Point of Album Covers in the Post-Album Era?
00:55:37
What was once a large canvas for grand statements is now a tiny digital mark. Guest: Chips's Teddy Blanks. |
Aug 29, 2019 |
Is Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ the Beginning or the End of an Era?
01:06:43
Breaking down the sounds, the themes, the obscure (and not-so-hidden) messages and more on her seventh album. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz and Jon Pareles. |
Aug 27, 2019 |
A Tribute to David Berman, Who Never Hid His Truth
01:15:18
Conversations about his songwriting, his struggles and his striking sweetness outside of music. Guests: Jeff Johnson; The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich; and Nick Weidenfeld. |
Aug 16, 2019 |
Funkmaster Flex and Tyler, the Creator’s Unlikely Buddy Comedy
01:10:19
The Hot 97 D.J. and the hip-hop disrupter shared the wildest interview of the year. Guests: Rolling Stone's Charles Holmes and Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre. |
Aug 02, 2019 |
How Many Streams Is a T-Shirt Worth? Breaking Down Chart Dilemmas.
01:00:32
There’s more data about music consumption than ever before. That doesn’t mean we understand who’s the most popular. Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli and Ben Sisario. |
Jul 26, 2019 |
The Loudness of João Gilberto, Bossa Nova’s King of Quiet
00:55:50
A look back at the Brazilian musician’s innovations as one of the genre’s primary architects. Guest: Ben Ratliff |
Jul 19, 2019 |
How Hootie & the Blowfish Inspired Both Love and Hate
00:53:54
Critics who were writing about the band at the peak of its fame look back at how the group became so bitterly divisive. Guests: Jim DeRogatis and Danyel Smith. |
Jul 08, 2019 |
Taylor vs. Scooter: The Pop Music Civil War of 2019
01:04:48
The superstar complained that the powerful manager acquired her master recordings, setting off a debate that divided the industry. Guest: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli |
Jul 03, 2019 |
The Unexpectedly Deep Musical Roots of Hootie & the Blowfish
00:57:51
“Cracked Rear View” catapulted the band to superstardom. But the group made great music long before — and after — anyone paid attention. Guest: former A&R representative Tim Sommer |
Jul 01, 2019 |
Why Are the Movies So Obsessed With Pop Stars?
01:14:57
From “Rocketman” to “Her Smell,” “Blaze” to “Vox Lux,” the film industry seems to think all musicians have the same ups and downs. Guests: The New York Times's A.O. Scott; Vanity Fair's K. Austin Collins; Kristen Yoonsoo Kim. |
Jun 21, 2019 |
Can Record Labels Be Trusted to Preserve Music History?
01:13:33
A 2008 fire destroyed master recordings for a who’s who of popular music. A new investigation explores the damage done. Guest: The New York Times Magazine's Jody Rosen |
Jun 13, 2019 |
Bob Dylan’s Excellent Adventure
00:41:50
The Rolling Thunder Revue was more than a tour: It was a chance for the songwriter to play with the truth. Guest: The New York Times's Jon Pareles |
Jun 11, 2019 |
Megan Thee Stallion and Rap’s Rising Generation of Women
00:30:09
Hip-hop has historically been inhospitable to female performers. A new class is finding fresh paths to break through. Guests: The Atlantic's Hannah Giorgis and Vulture's Hunter Harris. |
May 25, 2019 |
Are AirPods Worth the Costs?
01:03:08
Apple’s wireless earbuds have led to questions about personal tech as environmental scourge and punch line. Guests: The New York Times's Brian X. Chen and Motherboard's Caroline Haskins. |
May 20, 2019 |
Vampire Weekend, Indie Rock Heretics Turned Anxious Jam Band
00:52:44
Ezra Koenig’s literate group has returned, sparking questions about how it was received in the past, and where it stands in the current climate. Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles; The Ringer's Rob Harvilla |
May 13, 2019 |
The Return of Bikini Kill and the Long Tail of Riot Grrrl
00:41:49
A movement of punk-powered feminism that began in the early 1990s has a fresh urgency in 2019. Guests: Evelyn McDonnell, Elisabeth Vincentelli and Caryn Ganz |
May 05, 2019 |
How Gospel and Pop Learn From Each Other
01:12:03
From Kanye West to serpentwithfeet to the Stellar Awards returning to BET, the genres’ dialogue has been evolving. Guest: The New Yorker's Briana Younger |
Apr 30, 2019 |
Is Billie Eilish the Future of Pop?
00:59:19
The 17-year-old musician has been revising the rules of young stardom. But she may be more of a classicist than her aesthetic would suggest. Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli; Meaghan Garvey |
Apr 19, 2019 |
Lil Nas X and the Long History of Country-Rap
00:46:58
“Old Town Road” is the latest flash point in the two-decades-long dialogue between Nashville and hip-hop. Guest: Average Joes Entertainment's Shannon Houchins |
Apr 07, 2019 |
Boy Bands, Now Featuring Grown Men
01:20:07
Backstreet’s back, the New Kids put out a new single and groups in the K-pop ecosystem are thriving. Why are boy bands so central to pop music? Guests: Jezebel's Maria Sherman and Billboard's Andrew Unterberger |
Mar 29, 2019 |
How a Viral Rap Star Rocketed From Meme to Hit
00:55:40
Blueface’s “Thotiana” is a nearly perfectly engineered hit of the social media age. Guests: The Fader's Ben Dandridge-Lemco and Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre. |
Mar 21, 2019 |
Can Michael Jackson’s Legacy Ever Really Be Derailed?
00:59:30
The documentary “Leaving Neverland” details devastating allegations of sexual abuse. How do fans process them, and Jackson’s body of work? Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli, Aisha Harris and Ben Sisario |
Mar 07, 2019 |
The Hip-Hop Superstar as Local Newsmaker
00:41:01
Musicians often make headlines; balancing coverage of their art with coverage of the accusations they face isn’t always easy. Guest: The South Florida Sun Sentinel's Brett Clarkson |
Mar 01, 2019 |
Behind the Ryan Adams Investigation
00:41:40
The musician has been accused of dangling career opportunities while pursuing female artists for sex, then turning domineering and vengeful. He denies the claims. Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli and Melena Ryzik. |
Feb 18, 2019 |
The 2019 Grammys Make Up for Last Year, Somewhat
00:56:35
After a terrible ceremony that minimized women and nonwhite artists, the Recording Academy tried something else: the opposite. Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz and Jon Pareles. |
Feb 12, 2019 |
Maggie Rogers and Sharon Van Etten Break Free From Old Expectations
01:00:04
Two singer-songwriters at different points in their careers are staking claim to new creative ground. Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli; The Ringer's Lindsay Zoladz |
Feb 01, 2019 |
Fyre Festival’s Post-Mortems: We’ve Still Got Questions
00:57:38
Two documentaries examining Billy McFarland’s debacle aim to shed new light on the scammers and victims. Guests: The New York Times's Aisha Harris, Wesley Morris and Melena Ryzik. |
Jan 25, 2019 |
Listening to Pop Music’s Class of 2019
00:52:38
From British punk-rap to 1970s-influenced country to morbid electronic pop, a guide to new artists to watch. Guest: The New York Times's Jon Pareles. |
Jan 18, 2019 |
Bad Bunny Is Just Getting Started
01:11:48
His was the defining voice of 2018. What’s next for this Puerto Rican new-pop superstar? Guests: Remezcla's Eduardo Cepeda and Isabelia Herrera; and Rolling Stone's Suzy Exposito. |
Jan 12, 2019 |
The New Battles Over the Direction of Jazz
01:11:51
What did the music, innovations and arguments of 2018 tell us about where the genre is headed next? Guests: John Murph and Giovanni Russonello |
Jan 04, 2019 |
Your Questions About Pop Music, Answered (or Ruled Unanswerable)
01:15:30
The Popcast wraps 2018 discussing Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, streaming and crying. Guest: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli |
Dec 27, 2018 |
A New Kind of Pop Star Has Arrived
01:20:49
K-pop, Latin trap and melodic hip-hop — once regarded as subgenres — have become the center of the pop conversation. Guest: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli |
Dec 21, 2018 |
Listening to the Best Songs of 2018
00:50:02
The 1975’s millennial anthem, “Shallow” and a lot of Bad Bunny: Why did these tracks define the year in pop? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles, Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz |
Dec 13, 2018 |
How the Grammy Nominations Really Made Us Feel
00:38:02
Music's big awards show is trying to make big changes. So what do these nominations tell us? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles. Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz |
Dec 08, 2018 |
Debating the Best Albums of 2018: Janelle Monáe, Soccer Mommy and More
00:58:42
Drake, Mitski, Ariana Grande — whose albums defined the year? (And will albums matter next year?) Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles, Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz |
Dec 07, 2018 |
6ix9ine’s Troubled Past and Uncertain Future
01:04:19
A conversation about the Brooklyn rapper’s arrest and musical prospects as he releases “Dummy Boy” while behind bars. Guest: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli. |
Dec 01, 2018 |
The Gentle Return of Mariah Carey
01:05:38
With her 15th album, “Caution,” the singer has entered a new phase of her long career. Guests: Michael Arceneaux; Jezebel's Julianne Escobedo Shepherd; The New Yorker's Briana Younger. |
Nov 29, 2018 |
Kane Brown, Pistol Annies and Country Music’s Inclusion Problem
01:01:07
The tug of war between how the genre advertises itself and how it’s actually evolving is growing more tense. Guests: Nick Murray; Natalie Weiner. |
Nov 17, 2018 |
Remembering Roy Hargrove, Who Brought Jazz History Into Tomorrow
01:02:09
The trumpeter, who died at 49, was a singular figure dedicated to keeping jazz’s past in dialogue with its future. Guests: The New York Times's Giovanni Russonello; Jozen Cummings. |
Nov 09, 2018 |
Robyn, Pop’s Reluctant Pacesetter
00:55:58
With “Honey,” the Swedish star returns to a landscape she’s quietly shaped for over 20 years. Guests: The New York Times's Caryn Ganz; the Guardian's Laura Snapes; Jezebel's Hazel Cills |
Nov 02, 2018 |
BTS Conquered America. What’s Next for K-Pop?
01:26:28
Now that K-pop is successful on its own terms, the questions it faces are changing. Guest: Billboard's Jeff Benjamin. |
Oct 26, 2018 |
For Those About to Rock, An Uncertain Fate
01:18:23
Is rock music in 2018 a sound, a mood or a retail category? Where do Twenty One Pilots, the 1975 and Greta Van Fleet fit in? Guests: The New York Times's Caryn Ganz; Rolling Stone's Kory Grow; the Ringer's Lindsay Zoladz |
Oct 20, 2018 |
‘A Star Is Born’ Is Here. Let’s Discuss.
01:14:37
What does Bradley Cooper’s remake starring Lady Gaga say about the pop music business — and the film industry — today? Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli, Manohla Dargis, Caryn Ganz, Wesley Morris and Jon Pareles |
Oct 11, 2018 |
How Lil Wayne Became One of Hip-Hop’s Most Durable Stars
01:23:44
Tracing the rapper’s evolution from a teen in New Orleans to his long-awaited album “Tha Carter V.” Guests: XXL's Vanessa Satten; The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli |
Oct 05, 2018 |
Should They Stay or Should They Go? Pop Stars and Retirement
00:34:15
Why do some artists stick around and others choose to retreat? Guest: The New York Times's Jon Pareles |
Sep 28, 2018 |
What Makes for a Great Celebrity Profile?
01:04:36
Writing in-depth features about stars can be an art form. But it’s been changing in recent years. Guests: The New York Times Magazine's Vanessa Grigoriadis; GQ's Zach Baron. |
Sep 20, 2018 |
Remembering Mac Miller, Low-Key Hip-Hop Bellwether
01:12:05
The 26-year-old rapper and producer stood at the crossroads of movements that have been shaping popular music over the past decade. Guests: ItsTheReal's Eric and Jeff Rosenthal; Pitchfork's Sheldon Pearce; and Eric Renner Brown. |
Sep 15, 2018 |
Remembering The Village Voice, Music Criticism's Crucible: Part 2
01:05:02
Forty years of writers and editors share memories about helping invent a language to talk about music, and the artists they critiqued — some grateful, some not. Guests: Ann Powers, Evelyn McDonnell, Chuck Eddy, Rob Harvilla and Tom Breihan. |
Sep 10, 2018 |
Remembering The Village Voice, Music Criticism's Crucible: Part 1
01:13:37
Forty years of writers and editors share memories about helping invent a language to talk about music, and the artists they critiqued — some grateful, some not. Guests: Robert Christgau, Jon Pareles, Nelson George, Kyle Gann and Joe Levy. |
Sep 10, 2018 |
How We Arrived at Ariana Grande’s Big Moment
00:47:41
“Sweetener” has taken the singer to new heights at a moment of transition for the top ranks of female vocalists. Guests: The Ringer's Lindsay Zoladz; VF.com's Josh Duboff; and Billboard's Nolan Feeney. |
Aug 28, 2018 |
Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott, Rivals With Common Problems
00:55:44
One is an old-style hip-hop star, one comes from a newer school. But both are facing challenges making effective albums and defining their artistic identities. Guests: David Turner and Briana Younger. |
Aug 21, 2018 |
Aretha Franklin: The Artist We Knew, and the Woman We Didn’t
01:12:48
The Queen of Soul leaves a towering legacy. How will we remember her? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles and Wesley Morris; and David Ritz. |
Aug 17, 2018 |
The Shrinking Space Between Band T-Shirt and High Fashion
01:19:19
Merch has become a crucial part of a musician’s rise. Here’s how it’s evolved. Guests: Procell's Brian Procell; The Cut's Emilia Petrarca; and Grailed's Lawrence Schlossman. |
Aug 10, 2018 |
Can Guns N’ Roses, or Any Artist, Erase an Unflattering Moment?
01:13:02
What happens when a band wipes a stain from its historical record? Or when physical albums vanish, replaced by different digital versions? Guests: Mark Richardson; Rolling Stone's Christopher R. Weingarten; and The New York Times's Caryn Ganz. |
Aug 04, 2018 |
Who’s in Charge of Telling Whitney Houston’s Story?
01:06:18
Two documentaries have attempted to unpack the life of one of pop’s transformative figures, whose complex legacy is still riddled with questions. Guests: Naima Cochrane; Jezebel's Rich Juzwiak; Alan Light; and The Times's Joe Coscarelli. |
Jul 27, 2018 |
When Superfans Attack
01:11:51
A writer critiqued Nicki Minaj online; the rapper’s fans responded in force. How does celebrity fandom become a vicious tool online, and what’s behind stan culture? Guests: iOneDigital's Janeé Bolden; Who? Weekly's Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber; The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz. |
Jul 21, 2018 |
Drake: Platinum in a Day, but Still at a Crossroads
01:17:58
With his new double album, “Scorpion,” the rapper and singer is grappling with brand maintenance. Is he innovating, and where can he go next? Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli and Reggie Ugwu; Sheldon Pearce; and Jasmine Sanders. |
Jul 05, 2018 |
Kanye West: You Asked, We Answered
01:23:54
Was "Ye" rushed, and does it matter? How do women fit into Kanye’s world? Are conversations about politics with him fruitless? Guests: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli and Reggie Ugwu, and the Ringer's Justin Charity. |
Jun 27, 2018 |
XXXTentacion, Mourning and Morality
00:58:14
The 20-year-old broke out of the SoundCloud rap scene and reached No 1. But he faced accusations of violent crimes against a woman, and leaves behind a troubling legacy. Guests: Noisey's Lawrence Burney and Miami New Times's Tarpley Hitt. |
Jun 22, 2018 |
Charlie Puth and Shawn Mendes, Would-Be Pop Kings
01:09:00
Boy bands are on the rise and young male singers have some choices to make. A conversation about two performers with their sights set on pop ubiquity. |
Jun 16, 2018 |
Kanye West’s ‘Ye’ Is Here: Let’s Discuss
01:14:24
The rapper’s polarizing eighth album arrived surrounded by a celebrity circus and provided few answers. |
Jun 06, 2018 |
Drake vs. Pusha-T, Unpacked
00:56:46
An excavation of the skeletons animating the back-and-forth between the two rappers — and a conversation about who’s inching ahead. |
May 31, 2018 |
Yes, We Stuck With ‘American Idol’
00:54:21
Maddie Poppe won the show, rebooted on ABC with a new cast of judges. What worked, what didn’t and who really stood out? Two longtime “Idol” enthusiasts discuss. |
May 26, 2018 |
Pursuing R. Kelly: The Reporter Who Never Gave Up
00:37:52
For two decades, accusations of sexual impropriety have been leveled at the R&B superstar. And Jim DeRogatis has been covering the story. |
May 23, 2018 |
‘Girls’ Gone Wrong: Who Gets to Make a Gay Love Song?
00:53:40
The Rita Ora track was positioned as a celebration of bisexuality, but struck a sour note with critics who found its lyrics problematic. |
May 18, 2018 |
Avicii: Overexposed and Underappreciated?
01:05:33
The 28-year-old producer and D.J., who died last month in Oman, was a pop savant and an EDM innovator who left behind a complicated legacy. |
May 04, 2018 |
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar Break Boundaries
01:16:56
A Coachella set stunning in scope and execution. The first Pulitzer Prize winner who isn’t from classical or jazz. A conversation about the two artists’ triumphs. |
Apr 25, 2018 |
Pop’s Category Killers, From Live Nation to Spotify, Under the Microscope
00:43:56
In recent weeks, the businesses that present music to the public have undergone major shifts. |
Apr 20, 2018 |
Cardi B Arrives at the Top
01:06:09
The 25-year-old’s LP “Invasion of Privacy” is part of her broad-scale pop culture takeover. A conversation about her rise and debut album. |
Apr 12, 2018 |
Logic, XXXTentacion and Hip-Hop Morality in 2018
01:09:34
A conversation about the earnest rapper and the SoundCloud renegade, both successes of modern internet-driven rap fandom. |
Apr 06, 2018 |
Kacey Musgraves and Ashley McBryde, Country Traditionalists With a Twist
00:57:53
Two new albums put a spotlight on Nashville’s ongoing, agonized relationship with female performers. |
Mar 30, 2018 |
Ashlee Simpson: You Asked, We Answered
01:18:21
Part two of our conversation about the mid-2000s pop star features debates about her MTV reality show and “S.N.L.” debacle, and a listener mailbag. |
Mar 16, 2018 |
Was Ashlee Simpson Underappreciated? Discuss
01:14:25
In the mid-2000s, the pop singer had platinum albums and an MTV reality show. Hear the first of two conversations about Ms. Simpson’s misunderstood career. |
Mar 09, 2018 |
Lucy Dacus, Soccer Mommy, the Breeders and the Future of Indie Rock
00:56:58
A conversation about carefully considered creative paths — and how pristine voices with powerful messages are amplified — as three strong new albums arrive |
Mar 02, 2018 |
In Defense of Soundtracks. And Fergie.
01:13:18
What’s responsible for the recent soundtrack renaissance that brought albums from “Black Panther” and “The Greatest Showman” to the top of the charts? |
Feb 24, 2018 |
The Complex Intersection Where Rap and the Legal System Collide
00:45:50
A conversation with a criminal lawyer about the racial politics of legal representation, the Meek Mill saga and the future prospects of incarcerated would-be stars. |
Feb 16, 2018 |
Justin Timberlake Down, Meek Mill Up: How Twitter Swings Public Opinion
01:17:49
The internet’s response to the two musicians after the Super Bowl shows how criticism works these days. Rapid-fire groupthink online can be strong enough to have real-world impact. |
Feb 09, 2018 |
Can the Grammys Be Fixed?
00:58:15
Big stars didn’t show up. Ratings were down. Hip-hop was once again shut out of the major categories. Can “music’s biggest night” represent what’s really happening in music? |
Jan 30, 2018 |
Hear What Music Will Sound Like in 2018
01:06:56
Flamboyant hip-hop, promising punk rock, intricate bluegrass and more: a conversation about the artists we’re looking forward to following this year. |
Jan 26, 2018 |
Remembering the Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan
00:52:33
The lead singer of the Irish rock band, who died at 46, wrote songs in the 1990s that deeply touched young women and Irish listeners while appealing to a worldwide audience |
Jan 19, 2018 |
In Streaming, One Goliath Creates Many Davids
01:02:53
Streaming has established itself as the dominant mode of music distribution. What could go wrong? Quite a lot, it turns out. |
Jan 12, 2018 |
Is Today’s Jazz Finally Outrunning the Past?
01:05:01
Jazz could have spent 2017 looking backward, focusing on the centennials of foundational figures. But instead, several strains of contemporary jazz thrived. |
Jan 05, 2018 |
Will Eminem Ever Change?
00:54:12
After a brief break from the spotlight, the rapper returned with “Revival,” an album that revisited familiar tropes and sounds. Where can he go from here? |
Dec 22, 2017 |
The Popcast Answers Your Burning Questions About Pop Music in 2017
01:05:17
Our readers picked the topics of conversation, which included Fergie, the state of streaming and evolutions in Latin pop |
Dec 18, 2017 |
In 2017, Pop Music Made Triumph Out of Tough Times
01:13:32
From Lorde to Kendrick Lamar, many of the albums and songs on our critics’ best-of lists showcased the work of musicians meeting difficult circumstances with artistic fortitude. |
Dec 08, 2017 |
After 40 Years, U2 Is Still Huge. Why?
00:33:49
A conversation about the band’s 14th album, “Songs of Experience,” and its ongoing quest for bigness. |
Dec 02, 2017 |
Remembering Lil Peep
00:58:22
The 21-year-old rapper, who died last week, found a unique way to unite the languages of hip-hop and emo. |
Nov 22, 2017 |
Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ Has Arrived. Let’s Discuss.
01:11:42
Ms. Swift plays a different game on her sixth album — making pop music that directly competes with the rest of the field’s dominant players. |
Nov 14, 2017 |
Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ Is Almost Here. Let’s Discuss.
00:47:59
She hasn’t done interviews, but the pop star has been leaving hints about what to expect on her sixth album. Our writers listen to the signs. |
Nov 09, 2017 |
How Will Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Be Remembered?
00:40:42
A new biography of the magazine’s founder has been praised by our critic and slammed by its subject. |
Nov 03, 2017 |
What Are the Billboard Charts Really Measuring?
00:47:30
Changes to the formulas used to build albums and singles charts will weigh paid streams more than free ones. What will the impact be? |
Oct 27, 2017 |
The Persistence of Pink and Kelly Clarkson, Outspoken Pop Survivors
00:55:24
Two of the music world’s biggest voices and boldest personalities are back. Deep into successful careers, where have their paths diverged? |
Oct 20, 2017 |
Shania Twain Was Country’s Crossover Queen. What Is She Now?
00:47:11
In the 15 years since she last released an album, the music industry has undergone big changes, but Ms. Twain’s new LP still debuted at No. 1. |
Oct 13, 2017 |
Tom Petty, a Secret Punk on Rock’s Mount Rushmore
00:33:43
He was a student of the ’60s who learned from his elders, but put his own deliberate spin on rock ’n’ roll. |
Oct 04, 2017 |
National Anthem Protests, From ‘Jazzing the Banner’ to Taking a Knee
00:47:57
“The Star-Spangled Banner” has long been a site of dissent and disagreement. A conversation about the history of the anthem, and those who have protested it. |
Sep 29, 2017 |
Bye, Bro. In Country Music, It’s the Year of the Gentleman.
01:03:02
Nashville has been undergoing a gender crisis for most of the 2010s. Is the latest development — kinder men — a solution? |
Sep 22, 2017 |
From Instagram to ‘Bodak Yellow,’ Cardi B Has Arrived
00:55:10
The rapper behind one of the summer’s biggest hits has made swift moves in the music industry, and is making waves in the fashion world, too. |
Sep 15, 2017 |
Women Dominating Rock: There’s More to the Conversation
00:56:13
What happens when the media shines a light on feminist punk? A conversation about D.I.Y. scenes and representation. |
Sep 11, 2017 |
The Popcast Answers Your Questions About Beyoncé, Music Videos and More
01:07:27
On this week’s episode, our readers picked the topics of conversation, which include Lil Wayne, merchandise and Camila Cabello. |
Sep 02, 2017 |
Is SoundCloud a Business or a Community?
00:30:53
If the music-streaming service disappeared, a culture might vanish too. A conversation about where the tech and culture worlds collide. |
Aug 25, 2017 |
Kesha and Taylor Swift Find New Voices
00:45:12
On “Rainbow,” Kesha steps away from her old persona but keeps her former spark. In court, Taylor Swift speaks with no filter. |
Aug 18, 2017 |
What Keeps Phish Fans Coming Back for More?
00:41:47
The band just completed a 13-show run in New York where it didn’t repeat any songs, and its fans are already hungering for the next residency. |
Aug 11, 2017 |
Is Arcade Fire Its Own Worst Enemy?
00:35:53
As the band released its most divisive album yet, it embarked on a rollout that confused its narrative even further. |
Aug 04, 2017 |
Celebrating Two of Rock’s Big Voices, Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell
00:59:21
A conversation about two singers in different bands who left significant musical and emotional legacies |
Jul 28, 2017 |
Streaming Is Taking Over Pop, but It’s Far From Flawless
00:46:57
Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal: Seemingly every major streaming service has suffered through some controversy lately |
Jul 21, 2017 |
From Jay-Z to Prodigy, It’s Time to Talk About Hip-Hop’s Elders
01:13:34
A new album from Jay-Z, documentaries about Sean Combs and Dr. Dre, and the death of Prodigy have stirred new thinking about older artists |
Jul 14, 2017 |
Can K-pop Conquer America?
00:55:42
Fanaticism about this Korean genre is on the rise in the United States, but it hasn’t cracked mainstream pop culture |
Jun 30, 2017 |
Hip-Hop’s Punk Moment Has Arrived
01:05:22
SoundCloud rap is a raw, rowdy, rebellious movement fueled by young rappers looking outside the genre for inspiration. |
Jun 23, 2017 |
Katy Perry, Lorde and Halsey: How to Make a Pop Album in 2017
00:55:13
Three female pop stars, three different approaches: a conversation about their new albums, on Popcast. |
Jun 16, 2017 |
Why We’re Still Listening to the Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’
00:30:26
Our pop music critics are not fans of record anniversaries, but 50 years after the creation of “Sgt. Pepper,” there are still lessons to be learned from the album. |
Jun 09, 2017 |
Latin Pop Thrives, No Bieber Required
00:47:29
“Despacito” is the first Spanish-language song to top the chart since “Macarena,” but there are many more interesting shifts in Latin pop today. |
Jun 02, 2017 |
Festivals That Inspire Awe, and Festivals That Lead to Criminal Investigations
00:46:38
Music fests are ubiquitous, but only some are curated well enough to be thrilling. And there’s the Fyre Festival. |
May 26, 2017 |
Harry Styles and John Mayer, Teardrops on Their Guitars
00:39:04
The One Direction member and the pop-blues poster boy have a few things in common. |
May 19, 2017 |
Paramore Returns, Headed Straight For the 1980s
00:30:35
One of the most impressive rock bands working in the mainstream has taken a left turn. Where is Paramore headed, and how did it inspire scores of artists? |
May 12, 2017 |
Finding Feist’s Pleasure and Pain
00:25:48
The singer-songwriter’s new album is a low-fi exploration of extreme emotions. How does it relate to her earlier hits, and how did she get here? |
May 05, 2017 |
How Lil Uzi Vert Turned Rap Into Rock and Became a Pop Star
00:46:43
He’s a rapper, a social media phenomenon, the guy yelling “ya” on Migos’s hit “Bad and Boujee.” What’s the secret of Uzi’s success? |
Apr 28, 2017 |
A Deep Dig on Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole’s Hip-Hop’s Values
00:55:21
The two rappers recall an earlier time in the genre’s history, in terms of aesthetics and politics. How do they fit in today? |
Apr 21, 2017 |
How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Chainsmokers?
00:49:21
In three years, the duo has had several hits while offending all sorts of people. What does its sound say about EDM? |
Apr 14, 2017 |
Jazz in 2017: The Music Is Thriving, Though Support Is in Peril
00:39:27
Kamasi Washington and some Los Angeles musicians are producing vital recordings, but N.E.A. funding is uncertain. A conversation about the state of jazz. |
Apr 07, 2017 |
Drake Changed Hip-Hop’s Sound. Can He Change the Business?
00:57:55
His release isn’t an album or a mixtape, but a playlist — a move that could position him to shift the music industry once again. |
Mar 27, 2017 |
How Chuck Berry Became a Rock ’n’ Roll Mastermind
00:23:52
He wrote the guitar licks, told the clever stories, duckwalked across the stage and forever changed popular music |
Mar 22, 2017 |
The Billboard Charts Are Wackier Than Ever: What’s Going On?
00:56:13
Streaming figures into chart positions now, a fact that has started yielding some very odd results. |
Mar 17, 2017 |
The Greatest Trick Ed Sheeran Ever Pulled Was Convincing the World He’s an Underdog
00:43:57
The British singer/songwriter is a record-smashing superstar, but he still plays the spurned lover. How does he do it? |
Mar 10, 2017 |
What Future and Migos Tell Us About Atlanta’s Rap Dominance
00:58:35
A panel discusses Migos, Lil Yachty and more of the city’s budding stars on Popcast. |
Mar 03, 2017 |
What Happens When Nashville Outsiders Become Country’s Big Stars?
01:10:46
The city synonymous with the country music business is in transition. How is it dealing with rapid change, and the Trump era? A panel discusses on Popcast. |
Feb 24, 2017 |
Were There Any Real Winners at the Grammys?
00:57:27
It was an awards show filled with flubs, tear, apologies and protests. The New York Times pop music writers discuss Adele, Beyoncé, Chance the Rapper and more on Popcast. |
Feb 14, 2017 |
Will the Grammy Awards End With a Big Surprise?
00:37:50
The New York Times pop team debates whether Sturgill Simpson will pull out a surprise victory in a night stacked with Adele vs. Beyoncé face-offs. |
Feb 10, 2017 |
Punk Rock Is Alive and Well, No Politics Required
00:44:39
The current political climate doesn’t come up even once during the latest Popcast, a conversation about Japandroids, the Menzingers and the state of rock. |
Feb 03, 2017 |
The War Over ‘La La Land’: Gotta Hear Both Sides
00:49:57
The toast of Hollywood has divided our culture writers. Two of the movie’s boosters go to battle with two of its critics in this week’s Popcast. |
Jan 27, 2017 |
The Crooner in Chief: Barack Obama’s Musical Legacy
00:53:57
He brought soul and hip-hop into the White House like no president before him. A discussion of Mr. Obama’s most powerful musical moments, on this week’s Popcast. |
Jan 20, 2017 |
Hip-Hop’s Elders and Youth Go to Battle (Again)
00:52:00
Should rap’s young stars have more reverence for the genre’s pioneers, and vice versa? A conversation about hip-hop’s latest generation-gap struggles. |
Jan 13, 2017 |
Mariah Carey and New Year’s Eve: Is the Fantasy Over?
00:52:20
A panel discusses Ms. Carey's recent New Year's Eve performance and career. |
Jan 06, 2017 |
10 Songs That Tell the Story of 2016
00:58:27
A round table of pop experts discuss the year in tracks, from Maren Morris's "Rich" to Twenty One Pilots' "Ride" to Rihanna's "Sex With Me." |
Dec 30, 2016 |
The Year in Jazz Music
00:42:35
A roundtable of writers discuss trends and notable moments of the year. |
Dec 23, 2016 |
Pop Music Trends in 2016
00:38:10
The pop music team discusses news themes and what may shape it for years to come. |
Dec 16, 2016 |
The Best Albums of 2016
00:53:13
This week, The New York Times music team reflects on albums that defined 2016. |
Dec 09, 2016 |
For Bruno Mars and the Weeknd, the Past as Muse
00:43:17
This week, a discussion of new releases by both artists who have more in common than it may appear. |
Dec 02, 2016 |
Revisiting Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo'
00:53:28
After a series of bizarre shows, Kanye West canceled the remainder of his "Saint Pablo" tour last week. This weekend, we're listening back to the conversation Jon Caramanica led at the time of the album's release. |
Nov 25, 2016 |
Mourning the Greats: Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell and Mose Allison
00:29:26
This year has seen the loss of Prince, David Bowie, Merle Haggard, and, now, three more towering figures have died. A look at their legacies. |
Nov 18, 2016 |
Popcast: Division and Unity in Pop, and Beyond
00:52:30
Can the cultural events of the last couple of weeks connect to macro political realities? |
Nov 12, 2016 |
Popcast: A Tribe Called Quest Returns
00:42:31
A discussion of the group’s legacy and how it fits into the current hip-hop landscape |
Nov 05, 2016 |
Popcast: What’s Next for Kesha?
00:29:11
The pop star has been locked in an ugly contract dispute with Dr. Luke; two writers who have examined her case break down the pop star’s situation. |
Oct 29, 2016 |
Popcast: Nu-Dance Rises With Help From Streaming
00:37:06
This week, Jon Caramanica and guests discuss club music. |
Oct 22, 2016 |
Dylancast: Bob Dylan Wins the Nobel Prize!
00:26:51
Our music and book critics discuss Dylan, the musician, and Dylan, the writer. |
Oct 15, 2016 |
Popcast: Tyler Glenn at the Crossroads
00:23:46
His fiery solo album questions almost everything he used to believe in. |
Oct 08, 2016 |
Popcast: Finding the Joy (and Humor) in Bon Iver’s Pain
00:31:25
The new Bon Iver album abandons many of the musical choices that informed much of his earlier music. |
Sep 30, 2016 |
Popcast: The Next Teen Star Machine
00:35:11
Shawn Mendes broke out on Vine. The next breeding ground for pop stars might be Musical.ly, a social music app for teens. |
Sep 23, 2016 |
Popcast: Fall Preview
00:30:43
The pop music team discusses some of their favorite upcoming fall releases. |
Sep 16, 2016 |
Popcast: The Return of New York Rap
00:57:05
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Young M.A. represent an unexpected moment. |
Sep 10, 2016 |
Popcast: Stardom in the Age of Social Media
00:51:47
With celebrities so accessible online they have to go above and beyond when meeting fans in the arena. |
Sep 02, 2016 |
Popcast: Frank Ocean Returns
00:52:52
A roundtable discussion on the release of the musician’s latest works. |
Aug 25, 2016 |
Popcast: Race and Hip-Hop, a Conversation
00:37:19
A discussion about the current wave of white rappers trying to elide conversations about race, with varying success. |
Aug 19, 2016 |
Popcast: Janet Jackson and the Legacy of ‘Control’
00:32:52
A discussion on how pop failed Ms. Jackson for years, and what it has done for her lately. |
Aug 12, 2016 |
Popcast: A Send-Off for Ben Ratliff
00:47:30
Mr. Ratliff, a music critic at The Times since 1996, discusses his tenure. |
Aug 05, 2016 |
Popcast: Gucci Mane and Atlanta Hip-Hop
00:37:04
Jon Caramanica explains how Gucci Mane, Lil Yachty and 21 Savage are all part of the same long line. |
Jul 29, 2016 |
Popcast: Dissecting the Legacy of Alan Vega and Suicide
00:37:36
Days after Mr. Vega’s death, the journalist Geeta Dayal discusses Suicide’s early days. |
Jul 22, 2016 |
Popcast: The Return of Pop-Punk and Emo
00:31:31
Pop music writers discuss Blink-182’s influence on modern pop-punk bands. |
Jul 15, 2016 |
Popcast: J Balvin’s Reggaeton Mission
00:20:28
Ben Ratliff and Joe Coscarelli discuss how the Latin music superstar is rewriting the rules. |
Jul 08, 2016 |
Popcast: Prince’s Fateful Flight and Judith Hill’s Story
00:25:35
For those looking to understand Prince’s musical life in his final years, the larger story of Ms. Hill is illuminating. |
Jun 24, 2016 |
Popcast: Techno’s Dual Identity
00:34:52
A discussion of techno as youth music and heritage culture. |
Jun 10, 2016 |
Popcast: Hip-Hop Concerts and the Police
00:43:15
After a fatal shooting at a T.I. concert, Jon Caramanica and Joe Coscarelli discuss rap, race and security with Minya Oh, a.k.a. Miss Info, and Joie Manda of Interscope Records. |
Jun 03, 2016 |
Popcast: Arthur Russell
00:24:35
New York Times music critics discuss Mr. Russell’s wide-angle, slow-release significance. |
May 27, 2016 |
Popcast: Chance the Rapper and Drake
00:32:44
New York Times music critics discuss the latest albums by both artists. |
May 20, 2016 |
Popcast: Radiohead and James Blake
00:24:17
New York Times critics compare the latest releases. |
May 12, 2016 |
Popcast: Britney Spears
00:33:56
A discussion of Ms. Spears’s conservatorship. |
May 08, 2016 |
Popcast: Beyoncé Serves Up ‘Lemonade’
00:39:16
New York Times critics and writers discuss the singer’s new album. |
Apr 26, 2016 |
Popcast: Caetano Veloso
00:41:30
Mr. Veloso, the great Brazilian singer and songwriter, discusses current events in his country. |
Apr 22, 2016 |
Popcast: Remembering Prince
00:38:26
New York Times culture critics discuss Prince’s music and impact. |
Apr 22, 2016 |
Popcast:Country Music Agitators
00:36:32
New York Times music critics discuss Sturgill Simpson and Merle Haggard. |
Apr 16, 2016 |
Popcast: Jazz Artists in Exile
00:37:24
New York Times music critics discuss recent biopics about Miles Davis and Chet Baker. |
Apr 08, 2016 |
Popcast: Jazz in Museums
00:33:40
Nate Chinen and Ben Ratliff on the ways jazz is being presented at museum spaces. |
Mar 25, 2016 |
Popcast: Gwen Stefani Returns
00:29:14
Ben Ratliff, Times music critic and Caryn Ganz, Times pop music editor, discuss the singer’s new album. |
Mar 18, 2016 |
Popcast: The Art and Future of Criticism
01:00:15
New York Times critics gather to discuss their newly released books. |
Mar 11, 2016 |
Popcast: Macklemore’s Aesthetic Mission
00:56:26
Jon Caramanica chats with the rapper about the role of music in creating change. |
Feb 26, 2016 |
Popcast: Kanye West”s Unfinished Album
00:53:03
A roundtable discussion on “The Life of Pablo.” |
Feb 19, 2016 |
Popcast: Beyonce and Rihanna Take a Different Approach
00:52:42
Times critics discuss the recent music releases of each singer. |
Feb 12, 2016 |
Popcast: R&B’s New Identity
00:26:33
New York Times music critics discuss changes within the genre. |
Jan 29, 2016 |
Popcast: Tropical House Movement
00:29:41
Ben Ratliff and Michaelangelo Matos discuss the genre. |
Jan 22, 2016 |
Popcast: Love, Death and David Bowie
00:47:06
A conversation about the pop star’s life and work with the philosopher Simon Critchley, author of “Bowie.” |
Jan 13, 2016 |
Popcast: Jazz Moments of 2015
00:35:02
New York Times music critics discuss the year in jazz. |
Jan 08, 2016 |
Popcast: Making Sense of 2015 in Music
00:30:46
Music critics for The New York Times talk about the themes, currents and big ideas that defined the year. |
Dec 30, 2015 |
Popcast: Best Songs of 2015
00:33:44
Music critics for The New York Times discuss their favorite songs. |
Dec 23, 2015 |
Popcast: Best Albums of 2015
00:39:21
Music critics for The New York Times discuss the year’s highlights. |
Dec 18, 2015 |
Popcast: Joe Casey of Protomartyr
00:25:55
Ben Ratliff chats with Mr. Casey about the lyrics on the band’s album and more. |
Dec 11, 2015 |
Popcast: Sophie and Grimes
00:24:10
Ben Ratliff and Jon Pareles discuss their approaches to music. |
Dec 04, 2015 |
Popcast: The Return of Adele
00:32:57
Jon Caramanica and Jon Pareles discuss her new album, “25.” |
Nov 13, 2015 |
Popcast: Taylor Swift and Drake, Friendship vs. Partnership
00:35:12
The stars have found both help and hindrance from those who surround them. |
Nov 06, 2015 |
Popcast: Joanna Newsom
00:30:20
Ben Ratliff and Melissa Marturano talk about the critique of Ms. Newsom and her music. |
Oct 30, 2015 |
Popcast: Justin Bieber Is Back. Thank Poo Bear.
00:13:31
The Times’s pop music squad on the unlikely songwriter behind “Where Are Ü Now” and “What Do You Mean?” |
Oct 16, 2015 |
Popcast: The Influence of ‘808s and Heartbreak’
00:37:37
Times music critics discuss the influence of Kanye West’s album on current musical styles. |
Oct 09, 2015 |
Popcast: Janet Jackson Returns With ‘Unbreakable’
00:16:16
Times music critics discuss Ms. Jackson’s new album and tour. |
Oct 02, 2015 |
Lin-Manuel Miranda On How Hip-Hop Influenced Him and ‘Hamilton’
00:59:17
Jon Caramanica and Mr. Miranda discuss the songs and rappers that inspired him and his work. |
Sep 25, 2015 |
Popcast: Jen Shyu Explores the Unknown
00:30:01
Times critics discuss the jazz artist whose music incorporates poetry and dreams. |
Sep 18, 2015 |
Popcast: Jon Batiste and ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’
00:25:52
Times music critics discuss Mr. Batiste’s role as bandleader on the show. |
Sep 10, 2015 |
Popcast: 2015 MTV Video Music Awards
00:20:29
The night belonged to those who shocked without needing to perform. |
Sep 01, 2015 |
Popcast: The Weeknd
00:55:47
Times critics discuss The Weeknd’s music and new album, “Beauty Behind the Madness.” |
Aug 28, 2015 |
Popcast: ‘Where Are Ü Now’
00:14:04
Times music critics discuss Justin Bieber’s collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo. |
Aug 25, 2015 |
Carly Rae Jepsen Grows Up
00:30:46
With “Emotion,” the singer known best for “Call Me Maybe” embraces a seductive side to her music. |
Aug 21, 2015 |
Popcast: ‘Straight Outta Compton’
01:20:30
Jon Caramanica and Reginald C. Dennis, a founding editor of XXL magazine, discuss N.W.A and the film. |
Aug 14, 2015 |
Drake’s Bully Pulpit
01:07:17
Jon Caramanica, Minya Oh and Rawiya Kameir discuss Drake and OVO Fest. |
Aug 07, 2015 |
Popcast: Titus Andronicus
00:26:36
Ben Ratliff and Joe Coscarelli discuss the New Jersey punk band and their new album. |
Jul 31, 2015 |
Popcast: Prince Royce, Pitbull and Multilingual Pop Music
00:37:08
Ben Ratliff, Jon Caramanica and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd discuss international and multilingual pop. |
Jul 24, 2015 |
Reggae’s Summer Flirtation
00:24:32
A look at the desire for a reggae or reggae-like worldwide pop hit between Memorial Day and Labor Day. |
Jul 17, 2015 |
Hip-Hop’s Silent Majority
01:10:33
Hip-hop’s mainstream can often be confused with prosperity gospel, so it’s striking that in 2015, at least a couple of the genre’s biggest selling stars want nothing to do with such narratives. |
Jul 10, 2015 |
Apple Music and Beats 1
00:28:23
|