Popcast - podcast cover

Popcast

The New York Timeswww.nytimes.com
The Popcast is hosted by Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for The New York Times. It covers the latest in popular music criticism, trends and news. 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. Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

Episodes

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

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

Nov 01, 20231 hr 8 minEp. 442

Who Is Troye Sivan Now?

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 Tafoya and Shaad D’Souza.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.

Oct 27, 202340 minEp. 441

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

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.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.

Oct 25, 20231 hr 2 minEp. 440

Drake Takes On All Comers

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.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.

Oct 20, 202346 minEp. 439

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

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

Oct 18, 20231 hr 3 minEp. 438

Do We Need Album Reviews Anymore?

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

Oct 12, 202348 minEp. 437

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

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.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.

Oct 11, 20231 hr 8 minEp. 436

Maren Morris: The (Deluxe) Interview

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.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.

Oct 04, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 435

Zach Bryan Begins Building His Village

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

Sep 29, 202359 minEp. 434

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

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

Sep 27, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 433

Remembering Jimmy Buffett, Beach Bum Bard

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 ParelesUnlock 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.

Sep 21, 202339 minEp. 432

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

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

Sep 13, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 430

Olivia Rodrigo’s Songs About Growing Pains

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.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.

Sep 12, 202352 minEp. 429

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Speed Round, Part 2

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. 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.

Sep 05, 20231 hr 16 minEp. 427

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

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

Aug 30, 20231 hr 7 minEp. 426

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Speed Round, Part 1

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.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.

Aug 29, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 425

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

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

Aug 23, 20231 hr 5 minEp. 424

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

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.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.

Aug 22, 202358 minEp. 423

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

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

Aug 16, 20231 hr 8 minEp. 422

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

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

Aug 09, 20231 hr 6 minEp. 421

The Raw Art and Life of Sinead O’Connor

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

Aug 03, 20231 hrEp. 420

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

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

Aug 02, 20231 hr 1 minEp. 419

Jason Aldean’s Culture War Hit

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 MartinezUnlock 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.

Jul 28, 202347 minEp. 418

50 Rappers, 50 Stories: Behind the Scenes

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.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.

Jul 23, 202358 minEp. 416

The Many Lives of Lil Durk

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

Jul 11, 202353 minEp. 413
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