Episodes
Two longtime chroniclers of Swift’s career list their favorites — and least favorites — of the singer’s 11 original studio albums so far.
Published 07/17/24
Published 07/17/24
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?
Published 06/26/24
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.
Published 06/24/24
New songs from Eminem, Drake and J. Cole — plus Will Smith’s post-Slap “Bad Boys” comeback — demonstrate different paths for maturing (or not).
Published 06/12/24
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.
Published 06/05/24
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.
Published 05/30/24
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.
Published 05/29/24
A conversation about the pop singer’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Plus: How Tinashe’s “Nasty” went viral.
Published 05/22/24
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.
Published 05/15/24
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.
Published 05/14/24
Breaking down the heavyweight rap battle after a weekend of dramatic diss tracks.
Published 05/08/24
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.
Published 05/01/24
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.
Published 04/26/24
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.
Published 04/24/24
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.
Published 04/17/24
Breaking down the convoluted recent beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Future, Metro Boomin, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross and more).
Published 04/17/24
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.
Published 04/09/24
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.
Published 04/03/24
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.
Published 03/27/24
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.
Published 03/26/24
Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.
Published 03/21/24
Discussing the quick ascent of the downtempo R&B singer 4batz, the new Ariana Grande album, “eternal sunshine,” music at the Oscars and more.
Published 03/14/24
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.
Published 03/13/24
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.
Published 03/06/24