Music Popcast

579: Stavros Halkias Was Forced to Get Political: ‘I Hate It!’

Music Popcast — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Comedian Stavros Halkias sat down with Joe and Jon to talk about the state of modern comedy, including how wealth and fame are impacting A-list comedians and why the rightward creep of his peers’ podcasts have “forced” him to get political. The interview also covers how Halkias’ weight has influenced his comedy, as well as his role in the Anthony Bourdain biopic “Tony” and his Netflix stand-up special “Uncle Stav.”

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578: The Mindful Punk: Travis Barker on Music, Family & Trauma

Music Popcast — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Travis Barker, whose new Hulu documentary “Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear” is out August 13, sat down with Joe and Jon to reflect on his music career with Blink-182 and beyond, overcoming the trauma of his 2008 plane crash and family life with Kourtney Kardashian.

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577: The 8 Biggest Songs of This Summer Face Off

Music Popcast — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Ella Langley? Drake? A.I.?! Jon and Joe battle through an eight-song bracket of the summer’s biggest hits to determine the Song of the Summer for 2026. Songs featured in bracket:

• Tame Impala & JENNIE – “Dracula (JENNIE Remix)”
• Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
• Drake – “Janice STFU”
• Stella Lefty – “Boston”
• Yung Miami – “Spend Dat”
• Fenix Flexin and Purps On The Beat – “Rubberz”
• Don Toliver – “E85”
• Zara Larsson – “Midnight Sun”

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576: How Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst Came Back From The Brink

Music Popcast — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In a career-spanning interview following some recent anniversary concerts, Conor Oberst sat down with Joe and Jon to discuss the highs and lows of his 30-year music career, including navigating early indie stardom, overcoming personal struggles, writing political music and more.

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575: The Internet – Steve Lacy! Syd! Matt Martians! – Reunites

Music Popcast — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

The Internet’s Syd, Steve Lacy and Matt Martians sat down with Joe and Jon for their first interview together since "Hive Mind," their 2018 album. The group discussed their new solo projects — Syd’s album “Beard” and Lacy’s “Oh yeah?” are both out July 17 — as well as their Odd Future roots, writing for Beyoncé, TikTok fame and what’s next for the band.

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574: Which Jay-Z Album Is Better? ‘Reasonable Doubt’ vs. ‘The Blueprint’

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Ahead of Jay-Z’s three-night residency at Yankee Stadium celebrating the anniversaries of his classic albums “Reasonable Doubt” (1996) and “The Blueprint” (2001), Jon and Joe sat down to debate which project stands as Jay-Z’s most definitive body of work – breaking down the best bars, skippable tracks, MVP collaborators and more.

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573: Popcast LIVE! Lizzo Addresses the Backlash

Music Popcast — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000

During a special live edition of “Popcast,” Lizzo discussed her new album and the public fallout from a series of lawsuits. Then she performed a stripped-down set, which you can watch in full here.

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572: Gracie Abrams on ‘Daughter From Hell,’ Internet Cruelty, Writing With Paul Mescal, & Audrey Hobert

Music Popcast — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Gracie Abrams sat down with Joe and Jon for an in-depth conversation ahead of her third album, "Daughter From Hell," out July 17. She discusses the inspiration behind the album, her new single "Look At My Life," collaborating with boyfriend Paul Mescal and longtime friend Audrey Hobert, opening for Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, navigating the internet as a young star, and more.

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571: Answering Your Pop Music Questions: Taylor Swift, Geese, The Beatles & More

Music Popcast — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:26:21 +0000

Summer is upon us, and it’s time for the semiannual Popcast mailbag, in which the most burning questions of viewers and listeners are answered, definitively. This round, the inquiries were sizzling, and on a wide range of topics: whether Geese is the Joe Biden of rock, Maroon 5 as a pop-rap gateway drug, what band had the most transformative decade-long run of albums, Adele’s (purported) laziness, the growing use of artificial intelligence in popular music, and whether a Swiftie and a Twizzy can ever truly understand each other.

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570: How Slayyyter Became 2026’s Breakout Pop Star

Music Popcast — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Slayyyter, who became one of the year's breakout stars with the release of her third studio album “Worst Girl in America” and a viral Coachella set, sat down with Joe and Jon to discuss her slow-simmer career arc, why preexisting pop-star formats didn’t hang well on her shoulders, and how mainstream pop classics and forgotten pop detritus can be equally influential.

- Watch the episode here.

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569: M.I.A. on MAGA, the Kid Cudi Tour & Bipartisan Cancellation

Music Popcast — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Two decades on from the ecstatic electronic pop and rap that made her one of the most significant, ear-opening stars in music, the Sri Lankan-British singer M.I.A. returned in April with “M.I.7,” her seventh album and first in four years, documenting her latest swerve, this time toward born-again Christianity. Last week, she sued Kid Cudi for breach of contract after being removed from his tour in May following her onstage comments about “illegal” immigrants. Before filing her lawsuit, she sat down with Joe and Jon to discuss whether her legacy of incitement has been an obstacle to her legacy of art, how she’s been both welcomed and rejected by either side of the American political spectrum and her recent spiritual awakenings.

- Watch the episode here

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568: RIP ‘Euphoria’: Creator Sam Levinson Explains Why This Is The End

Music Popcast — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Sam Levinson, the writer, director and creator of “Euphoria,” sat down with Joe and Jon to explain why he felt it was time to end HBO’s juggernaut series. With its third season in seven years, “Euphoria” concluded a thrilling, provocative and tumultuous run with a cast of the defining young actors of the 2020s: Zendaya, who won two Emmys for her portrayal of Rue, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer and more. In this wide-ranging conversation, Levinson, himself a former addict, described staying true to his vision, his approach to shooting sensitive subject matter and the limits of empathy.

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567: Olivia Rodrigo Interview! New Album Details, Babydoll Dresses & Speaking Out Politically

Music Popcast — Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Olivia Rodrigo sat down with Joe and Jon for her first in-depth conversation about her new album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love,” out June 12. She discussed the many ways her creative process intersects with the extracurricular noise of pop superstardom, whether its managing relationship drama; being targeted for the way she dresses; accusations of pilfering songwriting gestures from Taylor Swift, her onetime idol; or her willingness to speak up about political and social causes in a way many of her peers won’t.

- Watch the video episode here.

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566: Breaking Down Drake's 3 New Albums LIVE!

Music Popcast — Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

On this special live episode, Joe and Jon react to Drake's new albums – "Iceman," "Habibti" and "Maid of Honour."

They unpack the rapper’s decision to release 43 tracks at once, the bars aimed at Kendrick Lamar and other adversaries, and the strongest moments of sonic experimentation across the three projects.

Watch the episode here.

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565: Cannonball: Debating Our ‘30 Greatest Songwriters’ List

Music Popcast — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:30:00 +0000

On this week's episode of "Cannonball," Jon and Joe sit down with Wesley Morris and Sasha Weiss to discuss how The New York Times Magazine's 30 Greatest Songwriters list came together. They rehash their biggest debates from the process, react to the perceived snubs, engage with reader comments and share some of their personal regrets.

- Watch the video episode here.
- Read the full list here.

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564: The Taylor Swift Interview: Behind the Scenes

Music Popcast — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Using excerpts from Swift’s new songwriting chat with Joe, he and Jon go deep on the exclusive interview, which is available in full at NYTimes.com/Taylor-Swift.

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563: How Anne Hathaway Transformed Into a Pop Star (Featuring FKA twigs)

Music Popcast — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

A lively conversation with the Oscar-winning actress about her role as a Taylor Swift-Lady Gaga hybrid pop singer (with songs by Charli XCX and twigs, who makes an interview cameo!) in the new A24 film “Mother Mary,” plus: “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and how Hathaway shook off her old, awkward self. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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562: Jack Harlow on Pivoting to R&B With ‘Monica,’ Dating in NYC and Finding Himself

Music Popcast — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Following smash hits like “Whats Poppin,” “First Class” and “Lovin on Me,” the Louisville musician is making a true pivot to intimate, hand-played R&B on his fourth album. In this exclusive interview, Harlow talks race, ego and the rules he instituted while recording “Monica.”

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561: Is This Druski’s Most Serious Interview Yet?

Music Popcast — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Everywhere you turn, online or on TV, there’s Druski. In what may be the comedian's most revealing interview to date, he explains how his Atlanta upbringing led him to a unique galaxy of collaborators — Justin Bieber, Timothée Chalamet, Kai Cenat, Drake, Kevin Hart and corporate America — and how they fit into his future.

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560: Luke Combs Interview! On Politics in Country Music, Body Image & Following Up ‘Fast Car’

Music Popcast — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The country superstar Luke Combs sits down with Joe and Jon ahead of the release of his sixth album, “The Way I Am.” Combs opens up about his journey to Nashville success (including “healthy competition” with Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan) and his mission to make huge hits again after spending the past couple years away from the spotlight.

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559: Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show: Our Instant Reactions!

Music Popcast — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:45:00 +0000

On Sunday night, Bad Bunny performed a detail-packed Super Bowl halftime show that celebrated Latino heritage and featured appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.

Immediately after the show, Jon and Joe went live on YouTube to share their real-time reactions and answer questions from the audience. How did the halftime show land — sonically and politically?

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558: Grammys Instant Reactions! Bad Bunny Owns the Night

Music Popcast — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 07:05:00 +0000

As the Grammys came to a close, Joe and Jon couldn’t wait to discuss the night’s biggest moments.

On this special episode, recorded live on Instagram immediately after the ceremony, Popcast breaks down Bad Bunny’s album of the year win, Justin Bieber’s striking performance, political statements spread throughout the show and more. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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557: Who SHOULD Win at the 2026 Grammys: Bad Bunny vs. Bieber vs. Kendrick & More!

Music Popcast — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This year's awards, airing Sunday, propose a few different ideas about the state of contemporary pop. Here’s who we prefer among the major nominees. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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556: ASAP Rocky Interview! How Rihanna, Three Kids + Two Trials Changed His Life & Music

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In an intimate, exclusive sit-down, the rapper and actor reflects on how the chaotic eight years since his previous album led to his new release, “Don’t Be Dumb.” Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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555: 2hollis + His Drummer Dad, Interviewed Together! On Fame, Family & Quitting the Internet

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The 22-year-old rage-pop phenom and his father John Herndon, of the post-rock band Tortoise, chatted with Popcast about songwriting, nepotism and what they’ve taught each other. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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554: Our Top 10 Music Moments of 2025

Music Popcast — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Jon and Joe count down their respective personal favorites of the year, including some unexpected rapping, an inescapable TikTok meme, a major tour and a sublime bridge in a breakup song. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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553: Romeo Santos & Prince Royce Interview! On Why Bachata Is Still Underrated in Latin Music and Beyond

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000

The leading stars of the Dominican genre discuss their paths to selling out stadiums and the lingering feeling that they haven’t received their due amid the Latin music boom. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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552: Can a Celebrity Be Conservative? How Pop Culture Is Shifting in Trump’s America

Music Popcast — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

From Sydney Sweeney to Taylor Swift and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, a conversation with the columnist Ross Douthat about how culture is reacting to a second Trump administration. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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551: 5 Takeaways From the Grammy Nominations

Music Popcast — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:40:36 +0000

Breaking down the story lines to watch from the new slate of nominees going into February’s big show. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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549: Yung Lean Interview! On Defeating His Demons, Swedish Modesty & Charli XCX's Wedding

Music Popcast — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

More than a decade after achieving viral fame as a teenage rapper outside of Stockholm, Yung Lean is back with new music, a new film and some hard-won clarity. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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548: Rosalía Interview! On ‘Lux,’ Singing in 13 Languages, ‘Euphoria’ & Björk

Music Popcast — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:45:00 +0000

The experimental Spanish pop star on why (and how) she pushed herself to use 13 languages on her new album “Lux,” a labor of love exploring the feminine divine and the brutalities of romance. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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547: Erykah Badu Interview! On D’Angelo, Radical Empathy, Love & Hip-Hop

Music Popcast — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The singer and songwriter on her reign as one of music’s most idiosyncratic, spiritual figures and where her creative impulses are headed next. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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546: Remembering D’Angelo, A Classicist Who Moved Us Forward

Music Popcast — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:52:11 +0000

A conversation about the casual virtuosity of D’Angelo’s too-brief career with a pair of journalists who each interviewed him twice. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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545: Why Is Taylor Swift So Polarizing Now? A ‘Showgirl’ Roundtable + Listener Mailbag!

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 13:59:17 +0000

Our team of Swift experts debate her blockbuster new album and take questions about its themes and controversies. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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544: Breaking Down Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

Music Popcast — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

For a rapid-response episode, Jon and Joe journey track-by-track through the pop star’s new album, assessing the highs, lows and hot gossip. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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543: Hayley Williams on the State of Paramore, Going Solo & Touring With Taylor Swift

Music Popcast — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The Paramore frontwoman goes deep on how the drama and evolution of her beloved, long-running band — now independent after two decades on a major label — has shaped her third solo release, “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party,” and what might come next. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and
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542: Ed Sheeran Interview! On Overcoming Grief, Fighting for His Songwriting & A Career Full of Hits

Music Popcast — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The superstar singer-songwriter discusses overcoming personal and professional turmoil ahead of his new album, “Play.” Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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541: What Was the Song of This Summer? Amelia Dimoldenberg, Zohran Mamdani, Questlove & More Share Their Picks

Music Popcast — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Is there a universally agreed-upon song of the summer? These days, not really! So we asked some notable cultural figures for their personal favorites. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

540: Earl Sweatshirt Interview! On ‘Live Laugh Love,’ Growing Up in Odd Future & Becoming a Dad

Music Popcast — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The cult rapper, who broke out at 16, discusses his new album, his relationship with Tyler, the Creator and how he cut his own path around fame and into fatherhood. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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539: Anticipating Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

Music Popcast — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The singer’s twelfth album is being teased as a pivot back to pop bangers. We break down why (and why she announced it the way she did). Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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538: BigXthaPlug Interview! From Solitary Confinement to Nashville’s Favorite Rapper

Music Popcast — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The Dallas M.C. traces his journey from high school football star to petty criminal to country music’s go-to collaborator, ahead of a new album featuring Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Jelly Roll and Ella Langley. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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537: MGK Interview! On Bob Dylan, Megan Fox, Rehab & His New Pop Album

Music Popcast — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The polarizing rapper-turned-singer discusses making rock legends into fans, blowing up his life, the harrowing abuse that shaped him and his latest musical pivot, "Lost Americana." Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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536: Ethel Cain Interview! On Knowing When to Apologize & When to Stand Firm

Music Popcast — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The singer discusses returning to the spotlight following a successful debut, an ambient detour and some recent controversy.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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535: Justin Bieber’s Experimental ‘Swag’ Resurgence

Music Popcast — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:14:23 +0000

Discussing the era-defining pop singer’s most idiosyncratic and musically adventurous release to date.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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534: Does Lorde Still Want to Be a Star? Our ‘Virgin’ Feelings

Music Popcast — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The beloved pop singer’s new album once again ponders whether being famous and obsessed over is all it’s cracked up to be.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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533: Reacting to the Diddy Verdict

Music Popcast — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

A conversation, immediately following the jury's decision on Wednesday, about how and why the music mogul was acquitted of the most serious charges at his sex trafficking trial.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
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532: Clipse Interview! Pusha T & Malice Speak on Kanye, Kendrick, Travis + Music Industry Mess

Music Popcast — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The duo of brothers discuss “Let God Sort Em Out,” its first album since 2009, and all the drama along the way.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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531: Remembering Sly Stone & Brian Wilson

Music Popcast — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

A wide-ranging conversation about two pop visionaries whose lives, careers and legacies only grew more complex over time.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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530: Addison Rae Interview! From $20 TikToks to Pop’s Most Promising Prospect

Music Popcast — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000

An in-depth chat with the onetime social media superstar, who has re-emerged as the most surprising rookie pop star of the year.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

529: What It's Like at the Diddy Trial

Music Popcast — Wed, 28 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Now entering its third week, the complex case can only be experienced directly by those at the courthouse each day. Our reporters break it down.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

528: Jeff Goldblum Interview! A Winding, Musical Journey With the Wizard of Screen and Self

Music Popcast — Thu, 22 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In a wide-ranging chat, the actor and musician discusses his immutable public persona, recent pop-culture surge and singing with Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Scarlett Johansson.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
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527: Theo Von, Andrew Schulz, Joe Rogan: A ‘Manosphere’ Just Asking Questions

Music Popcast — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:50:26 +0000

A conversation about the comedians and podcasters who have created a new media mainstream for actors, musicians and politicians.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

526: ‘Sinners,’ the Blues and Fighting for Artistic Control

Music Popcast — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:14:49 +0000

Unpacking the Ryan Coogler movie “Sinners,” starring Michael B. Jordan, and its relationship to music, genre and gatekeeping, with guests Wesley Morris, Reggie Ugwu and James Thomas.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

525: 13 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Big Hits Right Now

Music Popcast — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 12:26:43 +0000

A tour of the more surprising — and kind of anonymous — corners of the current Billboard Hot 100.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

524: Doechii! NewJeans! Ye! Answering Your Listener Mailbag Questions

Music Popcast — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Addressing some of the most urgent pop topics of the moment, including Doechii’s rise and NewJeans’ struggle, in the return of the Popcast mailbag.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

523: Bon Iver Interview! How Justin Vernon Got Happy (It Took a Lot of Work)

Music Popcast — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

A conversation with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon about how the band’s surprise success led to unexpected opportunities, then emotional depletion, and now a new album of reinvention, “Sable, Fable.”Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

522: Is Playboi Carti Rap’s Next — or Last — Superstar?

Music Popcast — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 23:10:39 +0000

After nearly five years of building hype, the Atlanta rapper’s 30-song third album, “Music,” has finally arrived. Let’s discuss.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

521: Lady Gaga Sells ‘Mayhem’ Hard. But Does It Work?

Music Popcast — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 12:18:00 +0000

Discussing the pop star’s latest “return to form” album and whether her aggressive promotion of it adds up to anything new.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

520: The Oscars’ Best (and Worst!) Music Moments

Music Popcast — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:30:54 +0000

From "Wicked" to Doja Cat, how the Academy Awards incorporated music into its 97th annual ceremony on Sunday, in ways both smooth and bumpy.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

519: RZA Interview! How He Got Wu-Tang Clan Back Together for a Final Tour

Music Popcast — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In an exclusive interview, RZA reveals that his pathbreaking New York rap group, which has rarely performed as a full unit, is hitting the road for the last time. Plus: ODB memories, quitting the Rage Against the Machine tour & getting banned from radio in the '90s.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

518: Drake’s Strategic, Careful Comeback + New Music Round-Up (The Weeknd, Central Cee, Oklou & More)

Music Popcast — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:16:33 +0000

A survey of the biggest and best albums released recently, including Drake and PartyNextDoor's “Some Sexy Songs 4 U," the Weeknd's “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” Central Cee’s “Can’t Rush Greatness,” Oklou’s “Choke Enough” and other recommendations.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

517: Kendrick Lamar’s Drake-centric Super Bowl Halftime Show: Instant Postgame Analysis!

Music Popcast — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:39:47 +0000

Breaking down the Super Bowl halftime performance, including the surprise cameos and tactical deployment of "Not Like Us," in an emergency podcast immediately after the show.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

516: Why We (Still) Think the Grammys Are Good Now

Music Popcast — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:25:16 +0000

Big wins for Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and Chappell Roan. Standout performances from Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter. A conversation about why the 2025 awards worked. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Caryn Ganz, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

515: Are the Grammys … Good Now? Beyoncé, Chappell, Billie, Kendrick & Taylor Face Off

Music Popcast — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:18:19 +0000

Previewing the major categories and making our personal picks of who will win vs. who should win at the surprisingly relevant (!) Grammy Awards on Sunday.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

514: The Dylan-Chalamet Connection

Music Popcast — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 23:25:26 +0000

A conversation about “A Complete Unknown” and the power of celebrity.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

513: Popcast Live! Counting Down Our Favorite Music Moments of 2024

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 22:10:53 +0000

A final look back at some of our favorite characters, trends and micro-moments of 2024, recorded live at S.O.B.’s in New York in December. Plus: IRL listener mailbag!Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

512: Bad Bunny Interview! His ‘Most Puerto Rican’ Album Yet, Trump Rally Response & L.A. Celeb Problems

Music Popcast — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 16:00:35 +0000

Upon the release of his new album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” the world-conquering Latin superstar discusses why it's filled with traditional sounds and rhythms from his homeland.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

510: Charli! Mk.gee! MJ! Debating the Best Albums of the Year.

Music Popcast — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 19:25:53 +0000

A conversation about how peak pop stars are thinking of LPs in an increasingly singles-driven landscape. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

511: André 3000 Interview & Surprise Newsroom Performance!

Music Popcast — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

After a wide-ranging conversation, the rapper-turned-flutist improvised with his band in the newsroom of The New York Times.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

509: The Messy Modern Music Business, According to Larry Jackson

Music Popcast — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:57:32 +0000

An interview with the record label veteran and Gamma founder, who has worked closely with Whitney Houston, Drake, Chief Keef and Lana Del Rey.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

508: Is the Real ‘Wicked’ Movie the Press Tour?

Music Popcast — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 01:21:58 +0000

A conversation about the musical’s transfer from stage to screen, and the lead actresses who are bringing new narratives to their roles. Guest: Joe CoscarelliUnlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

507: Kendrick Lamar’s Never-Ending Battles

Music Popcast — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 14:29:31 +0000

The Los Angeles rapper returns with his (surprise) sixth album, itching to escape his Drake drama, but still benefiting from it. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

506: How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump’s Second Term?

Music Popcast — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:07:17 +0000

His first term was marked by backlash and protest. But the president-elect has found new streams of embrace and approval. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

505: Remembering Quincy Jones, a Bridge Between Genres and Generations

Music Popcast — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 23:33:02 +0000

A conversation about his long and unique footprint in music, and how he discussed it later in his career. Guest: David Marchese.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

504: ‘Love Is Blind’ Resets, ‘Survivor’ Stalls: A Reality TV Check-in

Music Popcast — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 19:42:38 +0000

A palate-cleanse conversation about the state of legacy reality franchises, and what might come next for them. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

503: Yeat’s Chart Topper and Rage Rap’s New Wave

Music Popcast — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:49:02 +0000

A conversation about the mysterious rapper’s rise and the impact of hip-hop’s splintering. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

502: Chappell Roan’s Rocket-Ship Year

Music Popcast — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:26:55 +0000

The pop star’s ascent has tested the boundaries of contemporary pop, and may create a template for a next generation. Guest: Teen Vogue's P. Claire Dodson.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything
from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or
on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

501: It’s Touring Season: Chappell, Sabrina and Mk.gee Hit the Stage

Music Popcast — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:23:37 +0000

A roundup of some of the biggest and most impactful shows on the road this fall, and how live performances can shift the audience’s perception of an artist. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and
to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t
miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from
politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

500: P. Diddy

Music Popcast — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Soon, you’ll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and
to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t
miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from
politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

499: John Summit Interview! Accountant Turned EDM Superstar on Texting Exes & Not Getting Into Clubs

Music Popcast — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:07:42 +0000

The dance music superstar and former accountant John Summit speaks on the return of EDM and his rise, from spinning at underground parties to headlining Madison Square Garden and festivals around the world.

498: How Trump and Harris Are Courting Pop Stars (Very Differently)

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 01:15:57 +0000

A discussion about the ways in which musicians and social media stars, both mainstream and more obscure, have figured into the current presidential campaign.

497: Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl, Sabrina Carpenter on Top

Music Popcast — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 21:23:32 +0000

Plus: A conversation about the career of Rich Homie Quan, who died last week.

496: 21 Questions With Action Bronson (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:00:00 +0000

The rapper and gourmand answers our rapid-fire questionnaire covering the music of his childhood, how he manages stress, his go-to bodega order and more.

495: Who Is Eminem for in 2024?

Music Popcast — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 01:33:58 +0000

A conversation about the Detroit rapper’s long and unlikely career as his 12th studio album reaches No. 1. Guests: Jayson Buford and Rob Markman.

494: We Ranked Every Taylor Swift Album! (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:07:58 +0000

Two longtime chroniclers of Swift’s career list their favorites — and least favorites — of the singer’s 11 original studio albums so far.

493: Will There Ever Be Another Global Pop Icon? (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:37:18 +0000

In a moment of success for newcomers like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, is there still a path to becoming a true cross-platform pop superstar?

492: Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ Breakthrough

Music Popcast — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:58:51 +0000

The pop songwriter’s sixth album is in some ways her most daring release yet. Improbably, it also yielded her best opening week. Guest host: Lindsay Zoladz. Guests: Shaad D'Souza and Meaghan Garvey.

491: What’s an Aging Rapper to Do? Eminem, Drake, J. Cole (& Will Smith!) Adapt (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 19:58:13 +0000

New songs from Eminem, Drake and J. Cole — plus Will Smith’s post-Slap “Bad Boys” comeback — demonstrate different paths for maturing (or not).

490: Julia Fox Interview! on Charli XCX, ‘It Girl’ Songs & Kanye Lessons

Music Popcast — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:17:38 +0000

The actress, writer and downtown New York icon discusses her post-Kanye career, what it’s like to see her past go viral and the history of “It Girl” pop songs.

489: How A.I. Has Changed Music, and What’s Coming Next

Music Popcast — Thu, 30 May 2024 21:56:38 +0000

Artificial intelligence has become the dominant disrupter to music creation and distribution. And it’s only getting started. Guests: Bloomberg's Rachel Metz and Billboard's Kristin Robinson.

488: Did Dua Lipa Flop? + Miserable Music Movies (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Wed, 29 May 2024 20:03:40 +0000

Discussing the imperfect rollout of “Radical Optimism," plus: the recent music movies “Back to Black,” about Amy Winehouse, and “The Idea of You” with Anne Hathaway.

487: Billie Eilish Is Done Hiding (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Wed, 22 May 2024 20:14:24 +0000

A conversation about the pop singer’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Plus: How Tinashe’s “Nasty” went viral.

486: Kendrick-Drake Beef Ends + Zendaya, Post Malone & Central Cee (Deluxe)

Music Popcast — Wed, 15 May 2024 21:20:04 +0000

Catching up on the conclusion of rap’s heavyweight fight, Zendaya in “Challengers,” a new Central Cee freestyle and Post Malone’s country single with Morgan Wallen.

485: The Legacy of Steve Albini, Rock’s Uncompromising Force

Music Popcast — Tue, 14 May 2024 12:52:19 +0000

A conversation about one of the most admired, and divisive, figures in rock. Guest host: Ben Sisario. Guests: The Atlantic's Jeremy Gordon, and Joe Gross.

484: Popcast (Deluxe): How Kendrick Lamar Out-Drake’d Drake

Music Popcast — Wed, 08 May 2024 15:43:31 +0000

Breaking down the heavyweight rap battle after a weekend of dramatic diss tracks.

483: Popcast (Deluxe): The Best New Taylor Swift Songs. Plus: Chappell Roan & Sabrina Carpenter

Music Popcast — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:36:12 +0000

Picking the best edited track list for “The Tortured Poets Department” one week later and charting the recent rise of a pair of pop’s middle-class stars.

482: Taylor Swift: The ‘Tortured’ Mailbag

Music Popcast — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:05:01 +0000

Answering your questions about the sound and substance of the pop superstar’s double album, and the way fans and critics have responded to it. Guests: Caryn Ganz and Stereogum's Tom Breihan.

481: Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured’ Era

Music Popcast — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:33:03 +0000

A discussion about the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” Swift’s “imperial era,” the use of her rumored relationships and production choices.

479: Vampire Weekend’s New Album Goes Underground and All Over

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:14:08 +0000

Digging into “Only God Was Above Us,” an LP that’s both catchy and complex. Guest host: Jon Pareles. Guests: The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich and Pitchfork's Matthew Strauss.

480: Popcast (Deluxe): It’s Drake vs. Everybody … Who’s Winning?

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:33:24 +0000

Breaking down the convoluted recent beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Future, Metro Boomin, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross and more).

478: Beyoncé, ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Filling in History’s Gaps

Music Popcast — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:33:44 +0000

A conversation about how the pop superstar’s genre experiments explore race and power, and the implicit politics that come with them. Guests: Marcus K. Dowling and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd.

477: Popcast (Deluxe): Listening to Beyoncé & Future (and the Discourse)

Music Popcast — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 19:41:56 +0000

How conversation about very specific aspects of the new albums “Cowboy Carter” and “We Don’t Trust You” can obscure talk of their musical quality.

476: Lil Jon: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview

Music Popcast — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 21:58:55 +0000

An in-depth interview with the Atlanta hip-hop and EDM legend, tracing his path through punk, skateboarding and crunk music on the way to this year’s Super Bowl.

475: The Justin Timberlake Conundrum

Music Popcast — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 20:16:40 +0000

His sixth solo album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” has been met with critical dismissal and weaker sales. Where can the onetime pop superstar turn next? Guests: Steven J. Horowitz and Joshunda Sanders.

474: Popcast (Deluxe): Is Reality TV in a New Golden Age?

Music Popcast — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:11:33 +0000

Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.

473: Popcast (Deluxe): What’s an Industry Plant Anyway? Plus: Ariana Grande

Music Popcast — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:48:03 +0000

Discussing the quick ascent of the downtempo R&B singer 4batz, the new Ariana Grande album, “eternal sunshine,” music at the Oscars and more.

472: Tate McRae, Dua Lipa and the Fight to Be ‘Main Pop Girl’

Music Popcast — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:09:47 +0000

A conversation about a title that emerged from stan communities, and how it’s played a role in pop singers’ careers. Guests: Vulture's Jason P. Frank and Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul.

471: girl in red: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview

Music Popcast — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:43:58 +0000

An interview with the Norwegian singer girl in red (Marie Ulven) about her second album, “I’m Doing It Again Baby!,” opening for Taylor Swift and more.

470: Popcast (Deluxe): Is TikTok Done? 4 Crises Holding the App Back

Music Popcast — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:19:51 +0000

Once addictive and effective, TikTok is struggling with commercialization, a shifting relationship with the music industry and more.

469: Remembering Toby Keith and His Complexities

Music Popcast — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 23:30:04 +0000

A conversation about his loudest (and quieter) moments, and how patriotism has played into country music. Guest: David Cantwell.

468: Popcast (Deluxe): Pop Stars vs. the Attention Economy

Music Popcast — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:59:52 +0000

Jennifer Lopez’s new film and album, “This Is Me … Now,” plus other confusing recent rollouts for pop stars including Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake and Camila Cabello.

467: Covering the Rise of Tracy Chapman

Music Popcast — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:23:14 +0000

In 1988, “Fast Car” turned the singer-songwriter into a star. She was skeptical of the spotlight, and learning to wield her power. Guest: Steve Pond.

466: Popcast (Deluxe): Usher, Beyoncé and Ye Lead a Busy Week in Pop

Music Popcast — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 23:33:00 +0000

Recapping the Super Bowl halftime show, two new singles from Beyoncé, Ye’s “Vultures 1” album and more.

465: How Usher Arrived at the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Music Popcast — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 13:44:51 +0000

A conversation about his long career path through several generations of R&B, and what he might do on such a big stage. Guests: Thomas Hobbs and Danielle Amir Jackson.

464: 2024 Grammys, Dissected: Taylor, Miley, SZA, Tracy, Joni and More

Music Popcast — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:40:39 +0000

Was this the year the awards got it correct? Guests: Caryn Ganz, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

463: Popcast (Deluxe): Will Taylor, SZA or Olivia Win Big at the Grammys?

Music Popcast — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 17:31:24 +0000

A breakdown of the major categories and most interesting competitions at the 66th annual awards on Sunday.

462: Popcast (Deluxe): Playboi Carti, Waxahatchee and 12 More to Watch

Music Popcast — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 23:23:42 +0000

A breakdown of new albums and songs for 2024 (and a handful of possible but dubious releases).

461: Pitchfork, the Early Years

Music Popcast — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 13:47:31 +0000

With the music website’s future uncertain, Ryan Schreiber and Chris Kaskie look back at its start.

460: An Elastic and Impressive Moment in Jazz

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:38:05 +0000

A rundown of impressive recent releases and a look at who benefits (and suffers) when artists working outside formal jazz idioms are lumped into conversations about the genre. Guests: Marcus J. Moore and Giovanni Russonello.

459: Popcast (Deluxe): Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande and 21 Savage Kick Off 2024

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:29:16 +0000

Pop’s premier troll returns while one of its biggest voices turns her attention to gossip, and the first blockbuster rap album of the year arrives.

458: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Saltburn,’ Jacob Elordi and the New Heartthrob Era

Music Popcast — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:25:09 +0000

Plus: Barry Keoghan’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” Jeremy Allen White’s stripped-down moment and Nathan Fielder’s “The Curse” wraps up.

457: What Did We Learn From a Year in Live Shows?

Music Popcast — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:33:36 +0000

Concerts paused during the height of the pandemic, and returned at full power in 2023. Our pop music editor saw a lot of them. Guest: Caryn Ganz

456: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and the Sphere: The Year in Live Music

Music Popcast — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:11:50 +0000

The touring business saw record revenue in 2023 and major tours made news, but fans still struggle with ticket prices and access — and political leaders are watching. Guest: Ben Sisario.

455: Popcast (Deluxe): The Kid Mero on the Viral Characters of 2023

Music Popcast — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 17:11:26 +0000

The comedian and podcaster known as the Kid Mero on the year in internet domination, including Ice Spice, Keith Lee, the Weeknd, Kai Cenat and more.

454: Chatting About the Best Songs of 2023

Music Popcast — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 15:56:24 +0000

The most impactful tracks of the year come from different genres and generations — and not all of them are traditional songs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

453: Jelly Roll: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview

Music Popcast — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 20:04:20 +0000

An emotional conversation with one of the year’s biggest breakout stars about turning his life around and transitioning from Southern rap to country hitmaking.

452: The Albums That Defined 2023? Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 20:46:02 +0000

Our critics debate their year-end lists (and agree on SZA, Olivia Rodrigo and 100 gecs!) in a wrap-up of the year in LPs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

451: Popcast (Deluxe): Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Movie Shows All the Work

Music Popcast — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 18:10:47 +0000

Discussing the singer’s new concert film that documents the Renaissance World Tour, interspersed with behind-the-scenes looks at how it came to be.

450: Jung Kook, BTS and English Language K-Pop

Music Popcast — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:39:16 +0000

A conversation about K-pop’s long march to American awareness, and the potential risks of that embrace. Guest: Kara.

449: Popcast (Deluxe): Can Rap Bridge Its Generation Gap?

Music Popcast — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 18:35:06 +0000

Is it possible for rappers to age gracefully? Where are the new stars? A discussion on the state of the genre and where it may be heading.

448: André 3000’s Experiments With Flutes and Fame

Music Popcast — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 15:45:48 +0000

The acclaimed rapper’s first solo album contains no rapping. What does this sharp creative turn reveal about its maker? Guests: GQ's Zach Baron, and Sadie Sartini Garner.

447: Popcast (Deluxe): Mailbag! The Beatles, Taylor Swift and More

Music Popcast — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 19:33:56 +0000

Taking viewer and listener questions on hot topics in pop music.

446: Popcast (Deluxe): What Is Going On With the Grammy Nominations?

Music Popcast — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 23:50:37 +0000

Dissecting the contenders for the 2024 Grammy Awards, including top nominations for SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, boygenius, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Jon Batiste. Plus: Nathan Fielder's "The Curse."

445: PinkPantheress Leaves the Bedroom for the Wider Pop World

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 22:32:20 +0000

A conversation about the 22-year-old singer, songwriter and producer’s new album and the art of sampling. Guests: Kemi Alemoru and Lindsay Zoladz.

444: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Priscilla’ and ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Plumb Heartbreak

Music Popcast — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:51:59 +0000

Breaking down Sofia Coppola’s new film, an impressionistic take on Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s relationship, plus: the surprising depth of a reality TV spinoff.

443: Noah Kahan’s Rootsy Rock Revival

Music Popcast — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:49:43 +0000

Revisiting the rustic mainstream sound of the early 2010s, the Vermont singer-songwriter has broken through with “Stick Season.” Guests: Vox's Rebecca Jennings and Billboard's Jason Lipshutz.

442: Popcast (Deluxe): Is the Pop Music Machine Stuck in Place?

Music Popcast — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 19:22:42 +0000

With certain headliners hogging up space, where are the new stars? We checked in on recent hits from the radio, streaming services and TikTok.

441: Who Is Troye Sivan Now?

Music Popcast — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 16:34:49 +0000

A conversation about the pop star’s evolution on his new album, “Something to Give Each Other,” and the ceilings he may still face as an openly gay male performer. Guests: Harry Tafaya and Shaad D’Souza.

440: Popcast (Deluxe): The Britney Spears Memoir + ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

Music Popcast — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:09:02 +0000

Reacting to “The Woman in Me,” the new book by Spears, and Martin Scorsese’s latest film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone.

439: Drake Takes On All Comers

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:38:33 +0000

The rapper’s new album, “For All the Dogs,” has stirred debate about maturity and misogyny, and led to questions about the next phase of his career. Guests: The Ringer's Justin Charity and Pitchfork's Dylan Green.

438: Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Movie + Bad Bunny Returns

Music Popcast — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:41:16 +0000

A conversation about Swift’s concert film documenting her summer stadium sojourn. Plus: The new album “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.”

437: Do We Need Album Reviews Anymore?

Music Popcast — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:53:25 +0000

A conversation about the history — and future — of album reviews in an increasingly fraught environment for music journalism and criticism.

436: Popcast (Deluxe): Drake’s New Album Courts New Enemies

Music Popcast — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:45:16 +0000

A discussion about “For All the Dogs” and the fever-pitch online discourse around Drake, his career and his public persona. Plus: reality TV drama.

435: Maren Morris: The (Deluxe) Interview

Music Popcast — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:24:56 +0000

In a guest appearance, the country-pop singer discusses her recent decision to step back from country music because of Nashville’s poor track record of tolerance and diversity.

434: Zach Bryan Begins Building His Village

Music Popcast — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:33:21 +0000

A conversation about the singer-songwriter’s post-politics approach to stardom, his dogged work ethic and his artistic coalition with fellow dissidents.

433: Popcast (Deluxe): Doja Cat’s Rap Renaissance + Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Music Popcast — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:36:54 +0000

Breaking down Doja Cat’s surprising new album, “Scarlet,” plus: Swift’s foray into football and Hasan Minhaj’s fibs.

432: Remembering Jimmy Buffett, Beach Bum Bard

Music Popcast — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 19:01:00 +0000

A conversation about how the musician, who died this month at 76, turned a way of life into a song — and that song back into a very profitable way of life. Guest: Jon Pareles

431: Popcast (Deluxe): Ice Spice’s Munchkin Drink + Jann Wenner Backlash

Music Popcast — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:34:36 +0000

Plus: what it’s like in Sean Combs’s sauna.

432: Popcast (Deluxe): Breaking Down Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts,’ Part 2

Music Popcast — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 19:33:01 +0000

A deep dive into who the singer’s new songs are about — or if it matters. Plus: Zach Bryan’s breakthrough and recent arrest.

433: Olivia Rodrigo’s Songs About Growing Pains

Music Popcast — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 23:42:26 +0000

The 20-year-old singer-songwriter returns with “Guts,” an album informed by the opportunities and costs of her rapid rise. Guests: Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz.

428: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Bottoms,’ ‘Hard Knocks’ & Uncovering Rap History

Music Popcast — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:37:18 +0000

What we watched (and read!) this summer.

427: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Speed Round, Part 2

Music Popcast — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 23:32:41 +0000

A conversation about Swift’s relationship to celebrity, the tour date as destination event and how fans dressed up for the show. Guests: Caryn Ganz, Vrinda Jagota and Josh Duboff.

426: Popcast (Deluxe) Mailbag: Selena Gomez, BTS and Doja Cat!

Music Popcast — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 19:45:12 +0000

Listener (and viewer!) questions on some recent releases, also including Renee Rapp, Earl Sweatshirt and Zach Bryan.

425: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Speed Round, Part 1

Music Popcast — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 19:46:16 +0000

A conversation about how the concert relates to Beyoncé’s stadium show, the role of dance in Swift’s spectacular and more. Guests: Wesley Morris, Brian Seibert and Bandsplain's Yasi Salek.

424: Popcast (Deluxe): A Shocking No. 1 Hit and Addison Rae’s New EP

Music Popcast — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 21:37:05 +0000

The rapid rise of Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” plus: the playful pop of the TikTok star Addison Rae.

423: Dead & Company Said Farewell, but the Scene Is Very Alive

Music Popcast — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 14:39:26 +0000

One of jam’s most definitive bands is still attracting new recruits, and younger generations are finding comfort in its community. Guests: Jambase's Scott Bernstein; and Marc Tracy.

422: Popcast (Deluxe): Is There Such a Thing as the Song of the Summer?

Music Popcast — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 20:44:39 +0000

Tracks by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and more have dominated this summer — or at least attempted to.

421: Popcast (Deluxe): Lizzo, Travis Scott and the Limits of Persona

Music Popcast — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 20:56:04 +0000

What can pop stars get away with? Plus: the deaths of Sinead O’Connor and Angus Cloud.

420: The Raw Art and Life of Sinead O’Connor

Music Popcast — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:40:27 +0000

A conversation about her unlikely pop fame, complex relationship to stardom and powerful, signature music. Guests: Alfred Soto and Amanda Hess.

419: Popcast (Deluxe): Our Favorite Albums of the Year So Far

Music Popcast — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:28:59 +0000

Peso Pluma, Ice Spice, Skrillex, 100 gecs and more.

418: Jason Aldean’s Culture War Hit

Music Popcast — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:53:21 +0000

After the country star’s “Try That in a Small Town” video was criticized as offensive, right-wing support sent the song to No. 2 on the singles chart. Guests: The Tennessean's Marcus K. Dowling; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Amanda Marie Martinez

417: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Barbie,’ Jason Aldean’s Culture War and Drake’s Tour

Music Popcast — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 20:17:45 +0000

Plus: Violent J in our 50 Rappers, 50 Stories project, new songs and new snacks.

416: 50 Rappers, 50 Stories: Behind the Scenes

Music Popcast — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 00:44:00 +0000

A look at how we assembled a sweeping collection of personal narratives, and the threads that tie them together. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Elena Bergeron and Keith Murphy.

415: Popcast (Deluxe): Fans Misbehaving at Concerts, and Pinkydoll’s NPC TikTok

Music Popcast — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 20:21:15 +0000

Plus: Music from Troye Sivan and Militarie Gun (as performed by Post Malone).

414: Popcast (Deluxe): Britney Spears’s Wembanyama Run-In and Taylor Swift’s ‘Revenge’

Music Popcast — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 19:26:00 +0000

Plus: Lil Uzi Vert’s new No. 1 “Pink Tape,” and Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City.”

413: The Many Lives of Lil Durk

Music Popcast — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 18:35:11 +0000

How the Chicago rap veteran reinvented himself, and became a star largely in the shadows. Guest: Fake Shore Drive's Andrew Barber.

412: Popcast (Deluxe): Olivia Rodrigo Returns, Fall Out Boy Denies History

Music Popcast — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 22:37:12 +0000

Plus: “Barbie” memes and the Grimace Shake attacks.

411: Popcast (Deluxe): Kim Petras’s New LP and Jennifer Lawrence’s Return

Music Popcast — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:31:32 +0000

Up for discussion this week: “The Idol” approaches its finale, the conclusion of Kesha and Dr. Luke’s legal battle and more.

410: Kylie Minogue’s ‘Padam Padam’ and the Queer Club-Pop Canon

Music Popcast — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:08:42 +0000

The global star’s single has become the soundtrack of Pride this year, opening fresh conversations about pop divas and their gay fans. Guest: Vulture's Jason P. Frank

409: Popcast (Deluxe): Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton and Gunna’s New LP

Music Popcast — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 18:49:31 +0000

What’s the role of global celebrity in high fashion? Why hasn’t hip-hop penetrated the charts this year? And what’s the snack of the week?

408: The Joni Mitchell Renaissance

Music Popcast — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 13:40:30 +0000

A conversation about how the singer-songwriter was received during her career peak, and how she is remaking her own music in her later years. Guest: Lindsay Zoladz.

407: Popcast (Deluxe): The Rise of the A.I. Pop Star, Luke Combs’s ‘Fast Car’

Music Popcast — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:04:35 +0000

Dissecting the recent wave of songs ‘by’ Drake and others, plus your questions about band reunions, a rundown of new songs and more.

406: Popcast Mailbag! Frank Ocean, Peso Pluma, A.I. Grimes and More

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:30:10 +0000

You asked, we answered your questions about the weight of following a smash single and the persistence of genre. Guests: Jon Pareles, Joe Coscarelli, Lindsay Zoladz and Caryn Ganz.

405: Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift and Matty Healy, Plus ‘The Idol’

Music Popcast — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:44:21 +0000

Breaking down Ice Spice’s new feature on Swift’s “Karma” remix, the explosion in pop music documentaries and more.

404: Popcast (Deluxe): Morgan Wallen, Indie Sleaze and ‘Survivor’

Music Popcast — Wed, 31 May 2023 19:27:29 +0000

Introducing a new weekly video show from the Popcast team that breaks down the essential pop culture story lines of the moment.

403: On TikTok, Pop Music Speeds Up

Music Popcast — Wed, 24 May 2023 21:05:17 +0000

A 12-year-old Miguel song has re-entered the Billboard charts, demonstrating how the app reshapes listening habits. Guest: Billboard's Elias Leight.

402: Jessie Ware Is Dancing Into Her Second Act

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:55:17 +0000

A conversation about the British musician’s journey to her lush neo-disco manifesto “That! Feels Good!” Guests: Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz.

401: Ed Sheeran Is Vindicated, But Other Copyright Battles Rage On

Music Popcast — Wed, 10 May 2023 22:02:16 +0000

Do current protections account for how music is actually made now? Guest: Ben Sisario.

400: Jai Paul Emerges From the Shadows, Somewhat

Music Popcast — Thu, 04 May 2023 15:22:54 +0000

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.

399: How Fred again.. Jolted Dance Music

Music Popcast — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 21:27:48 +0000

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.

398: A Spree of Country Music Divorce Albums

Music Popcast — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:37:27 +0000

Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce and Kacey Musgraves have reacted to breakups — and found freedom — in song. Guest: Marissa R. Moss.

397: The Friendship Harmonies of boygenius

Music Popcast — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:26:49 +0000

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.

396: How Taylor Swift Shapes the Story of Her Eras

Music Popcast — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:44:18 +0000

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.

395: The Inevitability of Ice Spice

Music Popcast — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:26:46 +0000

A conversation about the ubiquitous Bronx rapper’s rise, and her boosts from the meme universe. Guest: Rolling Stone's Jeff Ihaza.

394: The Return of Morgan Wallen (Who Never Went Away)

Music Popcast — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 19:29:44 +0000

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.

393: Celebrating De La Soul, With Questlove

Music Popcast — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:57:56 +0000

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.

392: Pharrell and Luxury Fashion’s Hip-Hop Obsession

Music Popcast — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:37:08 +0000

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.

391: SZA’s Very Roundabout Path to Success

Music Popcast — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 16:48:09 +0000

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.

390: Lil Yachty Breaks Boundaries and Takes on Rap Conservatism

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 22:52:33 +0000

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.

389: Grammys 2023: Hip-Hop Wins, Beyoncé Wins (Sort of)

Music Popcast — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 21:15:29 +0000

Does respect from music’s premier awards show still carry weight? Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

388: Blackpink, Aespa, NewJeans: The Evolution of K-Pop Girl Groups

Music Popcast — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 15:56:08 +0000

Acts with growing profiles and unique personalities are taking increasingly different paths, as the genre’s globalization opens new doors. Guest: Tamar Herman.

387: Ticketmaster Under the Magnifying Glass

Music Popcast — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 21:21:47 +0000

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.

386: Jazz’s Year of Reckoning With Tradition

Music Popcast — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 14:21:18 +0000

As the genre experiences a creative renaissance, has it become quietly radical to re-embrace the past? Guests: Harmony Holiday and Giovanni Russonello.

385: The Year of Bad Bunny

Music Popcast — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:47:48 +0000

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.

384: Year-End Listener Mailbag: Your 2022 Questions, Part 2

Music Popcast — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 20:44:26 +0000

Answering reader queries about the state of the music video, Morgan Wallen, SZA and Ethel Cain and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.

383: Year-End Listener Mailbag: Your 2022 Questions, Part 1

Music Popcast — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:50:18 +0000

You asked, we answered your queries about Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, the state of indie rock and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.

382: 2022: The Songs of the Year

Music Popcast — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 23:14:38 +0000

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.

381: The Best Albums of 2022? Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 18:07:51 +0000

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.

380: 2022: The Year in Atlanta Rap

Music Popcast — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 20:46:48 +0000

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.

379: Separating Big Business and Bad Behavior in ‘Tár’

Music Popcast — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:10:57 +0000

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.

378: 50 Years of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Talking Book’

Music Popcast — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:55:17 +0000

A conversation about the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s studio innovations, and melding of social consciousness and musical creativity. Guest: Jon Pareles.

377: Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’: Listener Mailbag

Music Popcast — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 19:56:44 +0000

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.

376: Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’: Let’s Discuss

Music Popcast — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 16:07:47 +0000

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.

375: Remembering Loretta Lynn

Music Popcast — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:12:49 +0000

A conversation about the country music titan’s sly radicalism and the many readings and misreadings of her work. Guest: Jewly Hight.

375: The Young Women Who Make TikTok Weep

Music Popcast — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 13:19:24 +0000

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.

374: The Sudden Rise of Zach Bryan

Music Popcast — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 15:56:26 +0000

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.

372: Popcast Live! The New Faces of 2022

Music Popcast — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 19:04:32 +0000

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.

371: The Perseverance of Megan Thee Stallion

Music Popcast — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:29:10 +0000

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.

370: What Is a ‘Fake’ Artist in 2022?

Music Popcast — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 19:20:54 +0000

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.

369: Rage Against the Machine, Roaring On

Music Popcast — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 21:27:29 +0000

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.

368: Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’: The Speed Round

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:13:55 +0000

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.

367: A Renaissance in American Hardcore Music

Music Popcast — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:13:14 +0000

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.

366: The Robust Return of Beyoncé

Music Popcast — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:09:44 +0000

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.

365: Lizzo’s Complicated, Joyful Pop

Music Popcast — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 18:32:30 +0000

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.

364: ‘Elvis’ vs. Elvis

Music Popcast — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 14:01:02 +0000

How much do fantasy and imagination play into how we remember pop culture heroes? Guests: A.O. Scott and Alanna Nash.

363: What’s Next for Jack Harlow?

Music Popcast — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 17:14:12 +0000

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.

362: Where Is Jazz Most at Home?

Music Popcast — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:49:45 +0000

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.

361: Drake Hits the Nightclub

Music Popcast — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 19:59:26 +0000

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.

360: Digging Into Bob Dylan and Lou Reed’s Archives

Music Popcast — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 22:22:29 +0000

Attempting to uncover unknown things about very well known people. Guest: Ben Sisario.

359: Mailbag Madness: Adele, Jack Harlow, the State of Rock’s Return

Music Popcast — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 19:36:59 +0000

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.

358: Can Harry Styles’s Music Catch Up to His Fame?

Music Popcast — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 11:54:03 +0000

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.

357: Kendrick Lamar’s Anxiety Era

Music Popcast — Tue, 24 May 2022 15:28:03 +0000

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.

356: How Gossip Is Remaking Online Hip-Hop Media

Music Popcast — Wed, 18 May 2022 13:11:09 +0000

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.

355: Why We Collect

Music Popcast — Wed, 11 May 2022 13:18:15 +0000

A conversation about the urge to accumulate treasured items and the stories objects can hold. Guest: The New Yorker's Hua Hsu.

354: A Decade of Drill Rap

Music Popcast — Sun, 08 May 2022 14:28:22 +0000

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.

353: Machine Gun Kelly’s Pop-Punk Pivot

Music Popcast — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 21:27:16 +0000

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.

352: Will Smith, Before the Slap

Music Popcast — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 15:52:25 +0000

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.

351: The 2022 Grammys: Let’s Discuss

Music Popcast — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 13:23:05 +0000

What are the awards at this point, and who benefits from them? Guests: Jon Pareles, Wesley Morris and Lindsay Zoladz.

350: Charli XCX’s Ever-Evolving Pop

Music Popcast — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 21:53:04 +0000

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.

349: The Many Worlds of Rosalía

Music Popcast — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 20:33:38 +0000

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.

348: The Sounds of Ukrainian Pop

Music Popcast — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 22:26:27 +0000

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.

347: Reggaeton’s Global Expansion and Wide-Open Future

Music Popcast — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 22:10:47 +0000

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.

346: The Enigma of Big Thief

Music Popcast — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:11:47 +0000

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.

345: Remembering Betty Davis, a Futuristic Funk Force

Music Popcast — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 21:58:54 +0000

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.

344: Mitski, In and Out of the Spotlight

Music Popcast — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 16:00:00 +0000

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.

343: Spotify’s Ongoing Joe Rogan Problem

Music Popcast — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:34:28 +0000

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.

342: Remembering Greg Tate, Critic and Catalyst

Music Popcast — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 20:16:33 +0000

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.

341: A Killing Jolts Sweden’s Rap Scene

Music Popcast — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 21:45:13 +0000

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.

340: What’s Left for the Weeknd to Conquer?

Music Popcast — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 19:10:10 +0000

“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.

339: 2021 in Jazz: Intimacy and Conversation

Music Popcast — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:09:41 +0000

Throughout the pandemic, the music’s flexibility has become an asset. Where will artists take it next? Guests: Giovanni Russonello and Marcus J. Moore.

Bonus Episode: Lana Del Rey’s American Fever Dreams

Music Popcast — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 19:56:03 +0000

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.

338: What We Forgot to Talk About in 2021

Music Popcast — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 22:29:36 +0000

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.

337: TikTok’s Music Critics Reflect on 2021

Music Popcast — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 16:51:39 +0000

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.

336: The Best Albums of 2021? Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:51:58 +0000

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.

335: Remembering Stephen Sondheim, Musical Theater Visionary

Music Popcast — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 16:38:22 +0000

A conversation about his legacy, his engagements with pop music and whether he has any true inheritors. Guests: Jesse Green and Elisabeth Vincentelli.

334: Adele Returns, From Beyond Space and Time

Music Popcast — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 23:18:28 +0000

Will we ever see a star who unites audiences like this British musician again? Guests: Jon Pareles and Pitchfork's Jillian Mapes.

333: The Emotional and Financial Business of Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’

Music Popcast — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:03:17 +0000

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.

332: Remembering the Velvet Underground Through the Mirror of Film

Music Popcast — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:08:05 +0000

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.

331: How the Mosh Pit and ‘Raging’ Came to Hip-Hop

Music Popcast — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:38:06 +0000

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.

330: Popcast Mailbag! Halsey, Nicki, TikTok and, of Course, Taylor

Music Popcast — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 13:12:44 +0000

Answering your questions about pop’s big names, the state of the music video and more. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.

329: glaive and Hyperpop’s Breakthrough Moment

Music Popcast — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:08:30 +0000

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.

328: The Music Lost to Coronavirus, Part 3

Music Popcast — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:46:45 +0000

Remembering Jacob Desvarieux, John Davis and Chucky Thompson. Guests: The New Yorker's Doreen St. Felix; Billboard's Gil Kaufman; Jeff Mao.

327: The Reporters Who Covered R. Kelly on His Trial and Conviction

Music Popcast — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:54:41 +0000

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.

326: Bringing Aaliyah Into the Streaming Era

Music Popcast — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:43:33 +0000

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.

325: Kacey Musgraves, Country Music Chameleon

Music Popcast — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 17:52:00 +0000

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.

324: Is Drake Tired of Drake?

Music Popcast — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 13:00:41 +0000

“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.

323: Miss the Old Kanye? Try the New Kanye.

Music Popcast — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 17:02:07 +0000

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.

322: Lorde Steals Her Sunshine Back

Music Popcast — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:39:09 +0000

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.

321: The Style of Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ Era

Music Popcast — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:09:32 +0000

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.

320: The Lox, Triumphant at Verzuz

Music Popcast — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 15:36:42 +0000

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.

319: Billie Eilish’s New Pop Perspective

Music Popcast — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 16:01:18 +0000

How has the teenage phenomenon’s songwriting, and her relationship to the larger music machine, evolved between albums? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Lindsay Zoladz.

318: Lil Nas X in the Pop Stratosphere

Music Popcast — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:49:01 +0000

A conversation about his unconventional path to success, his unconventional methods of maintaining it and his possible futures beyond it. Guest: Jazmine Hughes.

317: When Pop Music Trolls Grow Up

Music Popcast — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 17:30:31 +0000

New albums from Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator place their creators — children of the internet with a taste for friction — in a new light. Guest: The Ringer's Justin Charity.

316: The (Not So?) Tentative Return of Live Music

Music Popcast — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:09:39 +0000

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.

315: Britney Spears Takes On Her Conservatorship

Music Popcast — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 12:55:04 +0000

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.

314: In the Weeds of ‘In the Heights’

Music Popcast — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 19:31:51 +0000

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.

313: Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ Breakthrough

Music Popcast — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:42:47 +0000

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.

312: J. Cole, Triumphant (at His Own Pace)

Music Popcast — Sat, 29 May 2021 16:58:39 +0000

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.

311: The Beatific Re-emergence of Beverly Glenn-Copeland

Music Popcast — Fri, 14 May 2021 13:30:51 +0000

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.

311: Where Is Country Music Making Room for Women?

Music Popcast — Sun, 09 May 2021 14:45:34 +0000

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.

309: The Sing-Rap Generation Diversifies

Music Popcast — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:41:30 +0000

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.

308: When a TikTok Influencer Dances, Who Gets Credit?

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 21:21:41 +0000

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.

307: The Telling of DMX’s Life Story

Music Popcast — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 21:15:05 +0000

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.”

306: Taylor, Billie, Demi, Blackpink: The Pop Star Documentary Boom

Music Popcast — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 17:08:25 +0000

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.

305: The Grammys, Improbably, Made It Work

Music Popcast — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 15:58:26 +0000

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.

304: TikTok and the Pop Music Rough Draft

Music Popcast — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 16:48:40 +0000

The wildly popular platform has reshaped pop during the coronavirus pandemic, and changed how record labels grapple with unpredictable virality. Guest: Caryn Ganz.

303: New Jazz That Agitates for Change

Music Popcast — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 14:41:37 +0000

A conversation about strong recent debuts, and how canon and community can be in tension. Guests: Giovanni Russonello and Marcus J. Moore.

301: The Music Lost to Coronavirus, Part 2

Music Popcast — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:33:30 +0000

Remembering Fred the Godson, Adam Schlesinger and Cristina. Guests: Kurt B. Reighley; Complex's Shawn Setaro; and Ben Sisario.

300: Olivia Rodrigo and ‘Drivers License’ Aren’t Going Anywhere

Music Popcast — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 22:33:59 +0000

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.

299: Inside the Bull Market for Songwriting Rights

Music Popcast — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 17:35:06 +0000

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.

298: How Zev Love X Became MF Doom

Music Popcast — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 14:25:17 +0000

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.

297: 2020 Popcast Listener Mailbag: Taylor, Dua, MGK and More

Music Popcast — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 16:58:25 +0000

Answering your questions about the year’s biggest stars, and also some of its curious flops. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.

296: Taylor Swift’s ‘Evermore’: Let’s Discuss

Music Popcast — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:43:11 +0000

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.

The Best Albums of 2020? Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:36:31 +0000

An absence of live music refocused attention on records, and work by Fiona Apple, Taylor Swift and Run the Jewels spoke loudly.

Saweetie, City Girls and the Female Rapper Renaissance

Music Popcast — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 15:53:32 +0000

Streaming, social media and the tireless work of trailblazers have helped change the hip-hop landscape.

Who Will Control Britney Spears’s Future?

Music Popcast — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:41:52 +0000

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.

Ariana Grande, a Pop Star for the Post-Pop Star Age

Music Popcast — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:43:58 +0000

A conversation about her unique route to the top of the charts — and what’s next. Guests: Lindsay Zoladz and Shaad D’Souza.

The Many Mariah Careys

Music Popcast — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:34:22 +0000

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.

Luke Combs’s Country Stardom and the Remaking of the Bro

Music Popcast — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 14:42:38 +0000

The Nashville star learned from the genre’s past and carved his own path. Guest: Grady Smith.

Will Pop Music of the Future Rely on Actual Musicians, or Avatars?

Music Popcast — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:41:17 +0000

The pandemic has sped up how digital look-alikes are reshaping stardom. Guest: The Ringer's Alyssa Bereznak.

Is TikTok a Music Industry Friend or Troll?

Music Popcast — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 00:17:42 +0000

“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.

Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, Preserving Pop’s Old Guard

Music Popcast — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 20:43:40 +0000

Six albums into major-label careers with “Chromatica” and “Smile,” where do these two stars fit in? Guest host: Caryn Ganz. Guest: Lindsay Zoladz.

Remembering Riley Gale of Power Trip, a Thrash Titan

Music Popcast — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 14:58:04 +0000

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.

How Merchandise Bundles Undid the Album Chart

Music Popcast — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 17:32:46 +0000

For today’s biggest artists, an album release isn’t just about the music. Guest: Ben Sisario.

The Music Lost to Coronavirus, Part 1

Music Popcast — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:33:28 +0000

Remembering Joe Diffie, Mona Foot and DJ Black N Mild. Guests: Hits' Holly Gleason; Jacob Bernstein; and Elena Bergeron.

The Welcome Return of the Chicks

Music Popcast — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:18:55 +0000

How would Nashville be different if it hadn’t pushed the trio away? A conversation about “Gaslighter” and beyond. Guests: Jewly Hight and Salon's Carl Wilson.

Answering Your Questions About Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’

Music Popcast — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 15:21:52 +0000

Readers asked about Bon Iver, country music, Jack Antonoff and more. Guests: Northwestern University's Lauren Michele Jackson and Lindsay Zoladz.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’: Let’s Discuss

Music Popcast — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:18:42 +0000

On an album made entirely in quarantine, the singer and songwriter embarks in a fresh direction. Guests: Jon Pareles, Caryn Ganz and Joe Coscarelli.

Remembering Ennio Morricone, the Film Score Maestro

Music Popcast — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 20:21:30 +0000

His music was dynamic, bold and idiosyncratic, setting a high bar for composers connecting sound and vision. Guests: Jon Pareles and Joshua Rothkopf.

The Timely Agitation of Run the Jewels

Music Popcast — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 13:48:34 +0000

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.

Pop Superfans Are Getting Politically Active. What Happens Next?

Music Popcast — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 15:08:55 +0000

A subset of passionate listeners are asking for more of their heroes than simply music. Guest: Denisha Kuhlor.

Lil Baby Is Warming Up to the Spotlight

Music Popcast — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 14:58:16 +0000

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.

The Long, Complicated History of ‘Urban’ Music

Music Popcast — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 12:39:05 +0000

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.

How Did The Source Cover the 1992 Los Angeles Uprisings?

Music Popcast — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 19:48:25 +0000

Two former editors look back at the magazine’s on-the-ground reporting following the Rodney King verdict. Guests: James Bernard and Reginald Dennis.

After Missteps, Pop Stars Apologize … and Sometimes Push Back

Music Popcast — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 19:47:56 +0000

Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and how some in the limelight bristle at social media condemnation. Guest: The Ringer's Justin Charity.

The Many Lives of Doja Cat

Music Popcast — Mon, 18 May 2020 15:48:26 +0000

The pop star took an extremely nonlinear path to No. 1, and continues to push the boundaries of online behavior. Guest: Lakin Starling.

Remembering Tony Allen and Florian Schneider, Two Pillars of Rhythm

Music Popcast — Mon, 11 May 2020 22:53:46 +0000

Thousands of miles apart, and with radically different tools, both musicians were innovating. Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles; and Joseph Patel.

The Triumphant Return of Fiona Apple, Pop Music Renegade

Music Popcast — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:41:41 +0000

A conversation about everything “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” and beyond. Guests: Jenn Pelly and Lindsay Zoladz.

Beyond ‘Trolls’ and ‘Frozen’: What Are Our Kids Listening To?

Music Popcast — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 15:15:22 +0000

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.

Dua Lipa, Dance-Pop Crusader

Music Popcast — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 13:37:28 +0000

The English pop star has given fans an upbeat album at a very dark time. Guest: Caryn Ganz.

Sam Hunt and Kenny Rogers, Country Music Rule-Benders

Music Popcast — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 13:07:34 +0000

Both artists pulled Nashville in fresh directions, and gave the genre growing pains. Guests: Bill Friskics-Warren and Natalie Weiner.

What Is the Role of Criticism in a Crisis?

Music Popcast — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 20:42:21 +0000

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.

What Music Should I Listen to in a Crisis?

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 20:58:58 +0000

Pop critics from around the country recommend pick-me-ups: Pharrell, the Pointer Sisters, Helado Negro and more.

How Will Pop Music Respond to the Coronavirus?

Music Popcast — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 14:30:53 +0000

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.

The Unrelenting Space Jams of Tame Impala

Music Popcast — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 15:10:11 +0000

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.

The Death of Pop Smoke and the Future of Brooklyn Drill

Music Popcast — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:27:59 +0000

The 20-year-old rapper was poised to carry the scene’s sound to the world. Guest: Pitchfork's Alphonse Pierre.

Justin Bieber Is Back With Confessions, Personal and Musical

Music Popcast — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 23:04:02 +0000

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.

Answering Your Questions About Britney, Billie, Aaliyah and More

Music Popcast — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:29:44 +0000

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.

Answering Your Questions About Taylor, Mitski, Emo and More

Music Popcast — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:44:06 +0000

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.

When Did the Super Bowl Halftime Show Become Political?

Music Popcast — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 14:46:18 +0000

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.

The Grammys, Dissected: Out With the Old, in With the Billie, Lizzo and Tyler

Music Popcast — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 22:12:37 +0000

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.

How TikTok Is Killing the Radio Songwriter

Music Popcast — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 18:18:03 +0000

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.

In 2019, Jazz Reckoned With Old Boundaries, and Marched Past Them

Music Popcast — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 17:04:00 +0000

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.

Were These the Best Albums of the 2010s?

Music Popcast — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 17:23:43 +0000

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.

Debating the Best Albums of 2019

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 18:12:14 +0000

How do you measure a year in pop? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles, Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.

Juice WRLD and the Crisis of SoundCloud Rap-Era Fame

Music Popcast — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:04:21 +0000

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.

Would Prince Have Wanted His Rough Drafts Made Public?

Music Popcast — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 17:17:29 +0000

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.

Dissecting the 2020 Grammy Nominations

Music Popcast — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 18:03:08 +0000

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.

Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Lana Del Rey: Pop Stars (and Their Fans) Clap Back

Music Popcast — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 23:59:56 +0000

Are artists responsible when their fan armies can be weaponized? Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Lindsay Zoladz.

Can Reality Television Produce a Plausible Rap Star?

Music Popcast — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 15:44:27 +0000

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.

Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Is King,’ From the Gospel Perspective

Music Popcast — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 14:17:27 +0000

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.

The Rise of DaBaby, From Memes to the Mosh Pit

Music Popcast — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 21:01:23 +0000

The year’s most consistent new hip-hop star combines intense rhymes with online savvy. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.

The Highwomen, Miranda Lambert and the Women Invigorating Country Music

Music Popcast — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 16:00:09 +0000

Nashville has long marginalized female performers, songwriters and producers. But a wave of artists is fighting back. Guests: Jada Watson and Natalie Weiner.

Is 100 gecs the End of Pop, or a New Beginning?

Music Popcast — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 13:26:59 +0000

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.

A New Flood of English-Spanish Pop Is Here. Is It Opportunism or Progress?

Music Popcast — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:33:44 +0000

Collaborations have flourished in the wake of “Despacito,” some sounding natural, some sounding forced. Guest: Remezcla's Eduardo Cepeda.

How Does Post Malone Sound Like Everything and Nothing?

Music Popcast — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 14:24:03 +0000

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.

Young Thug Gets His Due, But Is It Too Late?

Music Popcast — Sat, 07 Sep 2019 01:26:24 +0000

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.

What’s the Point of Album Covers in the Post-Album Era?

Music Popcast — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 15:49:52 +0000

What was once a large canvas for grand statements is now a tiny digital mark. Guest: Chips's Teddy Blanks.

Is Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ the Beginning or the End of an Era?

Music Popcast — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 18:21:20 +0000

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.

A Tribute to David Berman, Who Never Hid His Truth

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 13:16:48 +0000

Conversations about his songwriting, his struggles and his striking sweetness outside of music. Guests: Jeff Johnson; The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich; and Nick Wiedenfeld.

Funkmaster Flex and Tyler, the Creator’s Unlikely Buddy Comedy

Music Popcast — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 18:56:37 +0000

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.

How Many Streams Is a T-Shirt Worth? Breaking Down Chart Dilemmas.

Music Popcast — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 15:53:24 +0000

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.

The Loudness of João Gilberto, Bossa Nova’s King of Quiet

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 19:43:36 +0000

A look back at the Brazilian musician’s innovations as one of the genre’s primary architects. Guest: Ben Ratliff

How Hootie & the Blowfish Inspired Both Love and Hate

Music Popcast — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 15:43:42 +0000

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.

Taylor vs. Scooter: The Pop Music Civil War of 2019

Music Popcast — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 18:19:42 +0000

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

The Unexpectedly Deep Musical Roots of Hootie & the Blowfish

Music Popcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 03:12:57 +0000

“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

Why Are the Movies So Obsessed With Pop Stars?

Music Popcast — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 13:36:17 +0000

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.

Can Record Labels Be Trusted to Preserve Music History?

Music Popcast — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 15:24:10 +0000

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

Bob Dylan’s Excellent Adventure

Music Popcast — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 16:46:28 +0000

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

Megan Thee Stallion and Rap’s Rising Generation of Women

Music Popcast — Sat, 25 May 2019 14:04:46 +0000

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.

Are AirPods Worth the Costs?

Music Popcast — Mon, 20 May 2019 18:49:39 +0000

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.

Vampire Weekend, Indie Rock Heretics Turned Anxious Jam Band

Music Popcast — Mon, 13 May 2019 16:19:19 +0000

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

The Return of Bikini Kill and the Long Tail of Riot Grrrl

Music Popcast — Sun, 05 May 2019 16:09:17 +0000

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

How Gospel and Pop Learn From Each Other

Music Popcast — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:55:14 +0000

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

Is Billie Eilish the Future of Pop?

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 19:29:35 +0000

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

Lil Nas X and the Long History of Country-Rap

Music Popcast — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 18:29:16 +0000

“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

Boy Bands, Now Featuring Grown Men

Music Popcast — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 15:09:59 +0000

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

How a Viral Rap Star Rocketed From Meme to Hit

Music Popcast — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 16:40:30 +0000

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.

Can Michael Jackson’s Legacy Ever Really Be Derailed?

Music Popcast — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 18:11:56 +0000

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

The Hip-Hop Superstar as Local Newsmaker

Music Popcast — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 15:59:23 +0000

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

Behind the Ryan Adams Investigation

Music Popcast — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:53:37 +0000

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.

The 2019 Grammys Make Up For Last Year, Somewhat

Music Popcast — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:59:56 +0000

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.

Maggie Rogers and Sharon Van Etten Break Free From Old Expectations

Music Popcast — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 21:29:31 +0000

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

Fyre Festival’s Post-Mortems: We’ve Still Got Questions

Music Popcast — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 18:46:48 +0000

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.

Listening to Pop Music’s Class of 2019

Music Popcast — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 20:32:45 +0000

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.

Bad Bunny Is Just Getting Started

Music Popcast — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 20:13:26 +0000

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.

The New Battles Over the Direction of Jazz

Music Popcast — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 17:32:44 +0000

What did the music, innovations and arguments of 2018 tell us about where the genre is headed next? Guests: John Murph and Giovanni Russonello

Your Questions About Pop Music, Answered (or Ruled Unanswerable)

Music Popcast — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 17:21:32 +0000

The Popcast wraps 2018 discussing Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, streaming and crying. Guest: The New York Times's Joe Coscarelli

A New Kind of Pop Star Has Arrived

Music Popcast — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 19:09:55 +0000

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

Listening to the Best Songs of 2018

Music Popcast — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 20:39:51 +0000

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

How the Grammy Nominations Really Made Us Feel

Music Popcast — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 16:00:02 +0000

Music's big awards show is trying to make big changes. So what do these nominations really tell us? Guests: The New York Times's Jon Pareles. Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz

Debating the Best Albums of 2018: Janelle Monáe, Soccer Mommy and More

Music Popcast — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 21:19:37 +0000

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

6ix9ine’s Troubled Past and Uncertain Future

Music Popcast — Sat, 01 Dec 2018 15:24:52 +0000

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.

The Gentle Return of Mariah Carey

Music Popcast — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 18:39:51 +0000

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.

Kane Brown, Pistol Annies and Country Music’s Inclusion Problem

Music Popcast — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 17:55:01 +0000

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.

Remembering Roy Hargrove, Who Brought Jazz History Into Tomorrow

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 17:26:42 +0000

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.

Robyn, Pop’s Reluctant Pacesetter

Music Popcast — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 18:49:22 +0000

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

BTS Conquered America. What’s Next for K-Pop?

Music Popcast — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 15:05:15 +0000

Now that K-pop is successful on its own terms, the questions it faces are changing. Guest: Billboard's Jeff Benjamin.

For Those About to a Rock, An Uncertain Fate

Music Popcast — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 14:44:08 +0000

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

‘A Star Is Born’ Is Here. Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:35:34 +0000

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

How Lil Wayne Became One of Hip-Hop’s Most Durable Stars

Music Popcast — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 17:39:38 +0000

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

Should They Stay or Should They Go? Pop Stars and Retirement

Music Popcast — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 15:55:09 +0000

Why do some artists stick around and others choose to retreat? Guest: The New York Times's Jon Pareles

What Makes for a Great Celebrity Profile?

Music Popcast — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 17:47:59 +0000

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.

Remembering Mac Miller, Low-Key Hip-Hop Bellwether

Music Popcast — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 20:02:14 +0000

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.

Remembering The Village Voice, Music Criticism's Crucible: Part 2

Music Popcast — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:40:01 +0000

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.

Remembering The Village Voice, Music Criticism's Crucible: Part 1

Music Popcast — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:39:38 +0000

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.

How We Arrived at Ariana Grande’s Big Moment

Music Popcast — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 16:24:04 +0000

“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.

Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott, Rivals With Common Problems

Music Popcast — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 21:18:05 +0000

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.

Aretha Franklin: The Artist We Knew, and the Woman We Didn’t

Music Popcast — Fri, 17 Aug 2018 18:20:19 +0000

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.

The Shrinking Space Between Band T-Shirt and High Fashion

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 22:25:28 +0000

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.

Can Guns N’ Roses, or Any Artist, Erase an Unflattering Moment?

Music Popcast — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 15:59:19 +0000

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.

Who’s in Charge of Telling Whitney Houston’s Story?

Music Popcast — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 20:23:35 +0000

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.

When Superfans Attack

Music Popcast — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 14:34:12 +0000

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.

Drake: Platinum in a Day, but Still at a Crossroads

Music Popcast — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:44:19 +0000

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.

Kanye West: You Asked, We Answered

Music Popcast — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 22:40:12 +0000

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.

XXXTentacion, Mourning and Morality

Music Popcast — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 20:05:11 +0000

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.

Charlie Puth and Shawn Mendes, Would-Be Pop Kings

Music Popcast — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 13:22:02 +0000

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.

Kanye West’s ‘Ye’ Is Here: Let’s Discuss

Music Popcast — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 13:51:50 +0000

The rapper’s polarizing eighth album arrived surrounded by a celebrity circus and provided few answers.

Drake vs. Pusha-T, Unpacked

Music Popcast — Thu, 31 May 2018 13:32:40 +0000

An excavation of the skeletons animating the back-and-forth between the two rappers — and a conversation about who’s inching ahead.

Yes, We Stuck With ‘American Idol’

Music Popcast — Sat, 26 May 2018 14:23:57 +0000

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.

Pursuing R. Kelly: The Reporter Who Never Gave Up

Music Popcast — Wed, 23 May 2018 15:08:49 +0000

For two decades, accusations of sexual impropriety have been leveled at the R&B superstar. And Jim DeRogatis has been covering the story.

‘Girls’ Gone Wrong: Who Gets to Make a Gay Love Song?

Music Popcast — Fri, 18 May 2018 19:20:30 +0000

The Rita Ora track was positioned as a celebration of bisexuality, but struck a sour note with critics who found its lyrics problematic.

Avicii: Overexposed and Underappreciated?

Music Popcast — Fri, 04 May 2018 14:09:29 +0000

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.

Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar Break Boundaries

Music Popcast — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 14:03:43 +0000

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.

Pop’s Category Killers, From Live Nation to Spotify, Under the Microscope

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 20:20:00 +0000

In recent weeks, the businesses that present music to the public have undergone major shifts.

Cardi B Arrives at the Top

Music Popcast — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 20:27:26 +0000

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.

Logic, XXXTentacion and Hip-Hop Morality in 2018

Music Popcast — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 21:13:37 +0000

A conversation about the earnest rapper and the SoundCloud renegade, both successes of modern internet-driven rap fandom.

Kacey Musgraves and Ashley McBryde, Country Traditionalists With a Twist

Music Popcast — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:56:30 +0000

Two new albums put a spotlight on Nashville’s ongoing, agonized relationship with female performers.

Ashlee Simpson: You Asked, We Answered

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 15:43:20 +0000

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.

Was Ashlee Simpson Underappreciated? Discuss

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 17:39:41 +0000

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.

Lucy Dacus, Soccer Mommy, the Breeders and the Future of Indie Rock

Music Popcast — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 17:26:29 +0000

A conversation about carefully considered creative paths — and how pristine voices with powerful messages are amplified — as three strong new albums arrive

In Defense of Soundtracks. And Fergie.

Music Popcast — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 16:39:23 +0000

What’s responsible for the recent soundtrack renaissance that brought albums from “Black Panther” and “The Greatest Showman” to the top of the charts?

The Complex Intersection Where Rap and the Legal System Collide

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 17:41:52 +0000

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.

Justin Timberlake Down, Meek Mill Up: How Twitter Swings Public Opinion

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 22:15:18 +0000

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.

Can the Grammys Be Fixed?

Music Popcast — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:00:00 +0000

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?

Hear What Music Will Sound Like in 2018

Music Popcast — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 21:49:18 +0000

Flamboyant hip-hop, promising punk rock, intricate bluegrass and more: a conversation about the artists we’re looking forward to following this year.

Remembering the Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 20:44:43 +0000

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

In Streaming, One Goliath Creates Many Davids

Music Popcast — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 19:54:24 +0000

Streaming has established itself as the dominant mode of music distribution. What could go wrong? Quite a lot, it turns out.

Is Today’s Jazz Finally Outrunning the Past?

Music Popcast — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 17:23:44 +0000

Jazz could have spent 2017 looking backward, focusing on the centennials of foundational figures. But instead, several strains of contemporary jazz thrived.

Will Eminem Ever Change?

Music Popcast — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 23:28:26 +0000

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?

The Popcast Answers Your Burning Questions About Pop Music in 2017

Music Popcast — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:33:49 +0000

Our readers picked the topics of conversation, which included Fergie, the state of streaming and evolutions in Latin pop

In 2017, Pop Music Made Triumph Out of Tough Times

Music Popcast — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 22:08:43 +0000

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.

After 40 Years, U2 Is Still Huge. Why?

Music Popcast — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 17:20:19 +0000

A conversation about the band’s 14th album, “Songs of Experience,” and its ongoing quest for bigness.

Remembering Lil Peep

Music Popcast — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 20:51:44 +0000

The 21-year-old rapper, who died last week, found a unique way to unite the languages of hip-hop and emo.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ Has Arrived. Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:21:49 +0000

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.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation’ Is Almost Here. Let’s Discuss.

Music Popcast — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 17:10:59 +0000

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.

How Will Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Be Remembered?

Music Popcast — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 20:54:59 +0000

A new biography of the magazine’s founder has been praised by our critic and slammed by its subject.

What Are the Billboard Charts Really Measuring?

Music Popcast — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 18:51:10 +0000

Changes to the formulas used to build albums and singles charts will weigh paid streams more than free ones. What will the impact be?

The Persistence of Pink and Kelly Clarkson, Outspoken Pop Survivors

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 20:37:29 +0000

Two of the music world’s biggest voices and brassiest personalities are back. Deep into successful careers, where have their paths diverged?

Shania Twain Was Country’s Crossover Queen. What Is She Now?

Music Popcast — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 15:21:34 +0000

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.

Tom Petty, a Secret Punk on Rock’s Mount Rushmore

Music Popcast — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 19:29:35 +0000

He was a student of the ’60s who learned from his elders, but put his own deliberate spin on rock ’n’ roll.

National Anthem Protests, From ‘Jazzing the Banner’ to Taking a Knee

Music Popcast — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 20:43:29 +0000

“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.

Bye, Bro. In Country Music, It’s the Year of the Gentleman.

Music Popcast — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 19:55:20 +0000

Nashville has been undergoing a gender crisis for most of the 2010s. Is the latest development — kinder men — a solution?

From Instagram to ‘Bodak Yellow,’ Cardi B Has Arrived

Music Popcast — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 17:24:15 +0000

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.

Women Dominating Rock: There’s More to the Conversation

Music Popcast — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 15:43:49 +0000

What happens when the media shines a light on feminist punk? A conversation about D.I.Y. scenes and representation.

The Popcast Answers Your Questions About Beyoncé, Music Videos and More

Music Popcast — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 15:45:48 +0000

On this week’s episode, our readers picked the topics of conversation, which include Lil Wayne, merchandise and Camila Cabello.

Is SoundCloud a Business or a Community?

Music Popcast — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 18:04:51 +0000

If the music-streaming service disappeared, a culture might vanish too. A conversation about where the tech and culture worlds collide.

Kesha and Taylor Swift Find New Voices

Music Popcast — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 17:22:09 +0000

On “Rainbow,” Kesha steps away from her old persona but keeps her former spark. In court, Taylor Swift speaks with no filter.

What Keeps Phish Fans Coming Back for More?

Music Popcast — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 19:02:10 +0000

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.

Is Arcade Fire Its Own Worst Enemy?

Music Popcast — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 20:09:57 +0000

As the band released its most divisive album yet, it embarked on a rollout that confused its narrative even further.

Celebrating Two of Rock’s Big Voices, Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell

Music Popcast — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 22:51:08 +0000

A conversation about two singers in different bands who left significant musical and emotional legacies

Streaming Is Taking Over Pop, but It’s Far From Flawless

Music Popcast — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 16:31:41 +0000

Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal: Seemingly every major streaming service has suffered through some controversy lately

From Jay-Z to Prodigy, It’s Time to Talk About Hip-Hop’s Elders

Music Popcast — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 18:00:04 +0000

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

Can K-pop Conquer America?

Music Popcast — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:55:52 +0000

Fanaticism about this Korean genre is on the rise in the United States, but it hasn’t cracked mainstream pop culture

Hip-Hop’s Punk Moment Has Arrived

Music Popcast — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 21:59:15 +0000

SoundCloud rap is a raw, rowdy, rebellious movement fueled by young rappers looking outside the genre for inspiration.

Katy Perry, Lorde and Halsey: How to Make a Pop Album in 2017

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 16:34:50 +0000

Three female pop stars, three different approaches: a conversation about their new albums, on Popcast.

Why We’re Still Listening to the Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 15:44:50 +0000

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.

Latin Pop Thrives, No Bieber Required

Music Popcast — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 20:29:40 +0000

“Despacito” is the first Spanish-language song to top the chart since “Macarena,” but there are many more interesting shifts in Latin pop today.

Festivals That Inspire Awe, and Festivals That Lead to Criminal Investigations

Music Popcast — Fri, 26 May 2017 19:35:49 +0000

Music fests are ubiquitous, but only some are curated well enough to be thrilling. And there’s the Fyre Festival.

Harry Styles and John Mayer, Teardrops on Their Guitars

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 May 2017 16:31:48 +0000

The One Direction member and the pop-blues poster boy have a few things in common.

Paramore Returns, Headed Straight For the 1980s

Music Popcast — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:46:21 +0000

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?

Finding Feist’s Pleasure and Pain

Music Popcast — Fri, 05 May 2017 18:15:54 +0000

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?

How Lil Uzi Vert Turned Rap Into Rock and Became a Pop Star

Music Popcast — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 16:00:59 +0000

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?

A Deep Dig on Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole’s Hip-Hop’s Values

Music Popcast — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 21:59:20 +0000

The two rappers recall an earlier time in the genre’s history, in terms of aesthetics and politics. How do they fit in today?

How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Chainsmokers?

Music Popcast — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 16:32:40 +0000

In three years, the duo has had several hits while offending all sorts of people. What does its sound say about EDM?

Jazz in 2017: The Music Is Thriving, Though Support Is in Peril

Music Popcast — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 16:54:47 +0000

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.

Drake Changed Hip-Hop’s Sound. Can He Change the Business?

Music Popcast — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 21:27:07 +0000

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.

How Chuck Berry Became a Rock ’n’ Roll Mastermind

Music Popcast — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 18:01:45 +0000

He wrote the guitar licks, told the clever stories, duckwalked across the stage and forever changed popular music

The Billboard Charts Are Wackier Than Ever: What’s Going On?

Music Popcast — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 19:49:33 +0000

Streaming figures into chart positions now, a fact that has started yielding some very odd results.

The Greatest Trick Ed Sheeran Ever Pulled Was Convincing the World He’s an Underdog

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 20:29:41 +0000

The British singer/songwriter is a record-smashing superstar, but he still plays the spurned lover. How does he do it?

Atlanta Has a Firm Grip on the Future of Hip-Hop

Music Popcast — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 19:07:37 +0000

A panel discusses Migos, Lil Yachty and more of the city’s budding stars on Popcast.

What Happens When Nashville Outsiders Become Country’s Big Stars?

Music Popcast — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 18:27:19 +0000

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.

Were There Any Real Winners at the Grammys?

Music Popcast — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 22:46:13 +0000

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.

Will the Grammy Awards End With a Big Surprise?

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 21:28:58 +0000

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.

Punk Rock Is Alive and Well, No Politics Required

Music Popcast — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:03:54 +0000

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.

The War Over ‘La La Land’: Gotta Hear Both Sides

Music Popcast — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:16:47 +0000

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.

The Crooner in Chief: Barack Obama’s Musical Legacy

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 19:32:30 +0000

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.

Hip-Hop’s Elders and Youth Go to Battle (Again)

Music Popcast — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 20:22:59 +0000

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.

Mariah Carey and New Year’s Eve: Is the Fantasy Over?

Music Popcast — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 17:40:58 +0000

A panel discusses Ms. Carey's recent New Year's Eve performance and career.

10 Songs That Tell the Story of 2016

Music Popcast — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 16:35:57 +0000

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."

The Year in Jazz Music

Music Popcast — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 16:56:58 +0000

A roundtable of writers discuss trends and notable moments of the year.

Pop Music Trends in 2016

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 19:56:04 +0000

The pop music team discusses news themes and what may shape it for years to come.

The Best Albums of 2016

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 18:40:18 +0000

The New York Times music team discuss albums of note this year.

For Bruno Mars and the Weeknd, the Past as Muse

Music Popcast — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 20:54:17 +0000

This week, a discussion of new releases by both artists who have more in common than it may appear.

Revisiting Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo'

Music Popcast — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 19:43:59 +0000

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.

Mourning the Greats: Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell and Mose Allison

Music Popcast — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 20:36:01 +0000

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.

Popcast: Division and Unity in Pop, and Beyond

Music Popcast — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 16:43:04 +0000

Can the cultural events of the last couple of weeks connect to macro political realities?

Popcast: A Tribe Called Quest Returns

Music Popcast — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 16:15:37 +0000

A discussion of the group’s legacy and how it fits into the current hip-hop landscape

Pocast: What’s Next for Kesha?

Music Popcast — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Popcast: Nu-Dance Rises With Help From Streaming

Music Popcast — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 18:43:58 +0000

This week, Jon Caramanica and guests discuss club music.

Dylancast: Bob Dylan Wins the Nobel Prize!

Music Popcast — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 14:19:28 +0000

Our music and book critics discuss Dylan, the musician, and Dylan, the writer.

Popcast: Tyler Glenn at the Crossroads

Music Popcast — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 18:34:47 +0000

His fiery solo album questions almost everything he used to believe in.

Popcast: Finding the Joy (and Humor) in Bon Iver’s Pain

Music Popcast — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 04:00:00 +0000

The new Bon Iver album abandons many of the musical choices that informed much of his earlier music.

Popcast: The Next Teen Star Machine

Music Popcast — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Shawn Mendes broke out on Vine. The next breeding ground for pop stars might be Musical.ly, a social music app for teens.

Popcast: Fall Preview

Music Popcast — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 04:00:00 +0000

The pop music team discusses some of their favorite upcoming fall releases.

Popcast: The Return of New York Rap

Music Popcast — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 17:34:56 +0000

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Young M.A. represent an unexpected moment.

Popcast: Stardom in the Age of Social Media

Music Popcast — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 16:27:07 +0000

With celebrities so accessible online they have to go above and beyond when meeting fans in the arena.

Popcast: Frank Ocean Returns

Music Popcast — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 17:22:29 +0000

A roundtable discussion on the release of the musician’s latest works.

Popcast: Race and Hip-Hop, a Conversation

Music Popcast — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 04:00:00 +0000

A discussion about the current wave of white rappers trying to elide conversations about race, with varying success.

Popcast: Janet Jackson and the Legacy of ‘Control’

Music Popcast — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 04:00:00 +0000

A discussion on how pop failed Ms. Jackson for years, and what it has done for her lately.

Popcast: A Send-Off for Ben Ratliff

Music Popcast — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Mr. Ratliff, a music critic at The Times since 1996, discusses his tenure.

Popcast: Gucci Mane and Atlanta Hip-Hop

Music Popcast — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Jon Caramanica explains how Gucci Mane, Lil Yachty and 21 Savage are all part of the same long line.

Popcast: Dissecting the Legacy of Alan Vega and Suicide

Music Popcast — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Days after Mr. Vega’s death, the journalist Geeta Dayal discusses Suicide’s early days.

Popcast: The Return of Pop-Punk and Emo

Music Popcast — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Pop music writers discuss Blink-182’s influence on modern pop-punk bands.

Popcast: J Balvin’s Reggaeton Mission

Music Popcast — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Ben Ratliff and Joe Coscarelli discuss how the Latin music superstar is rewriting the rules.

Popcast: Prince’s Fateful Flight and Judith Hill’s Story

Music Popcast — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:52:35 +0000

For those looking to understand Prince’s musical life in his final years, the larger story of Ms. Hill is illuminating.

Popcast: Techno’s Dual Identity

Music Popcast — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Juan Atkins and Moritz Von Oswald discuss techno as youth music and heritage culture.

Popcast: Hip-Hop Concerts and the Police

Music Popcast — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Popcast: Arthur Russell

Music Popcast — Fri, 27 May 2016 04:00:00 +0000

New York Times music critics discuss Mr. Russell’s wide-angle, slow-release significance.

Popcast: Chance the Rapper and Drake

Music Popcast — Fri, 20 May 2016 04:00:00 +0000

New York Times music critics discuss the latest albums by both artists.