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

Katy Perry, Lorde and Halsey: How to Make a Pop Album in 2017

Three female pop stars, three different approaches: a conversation about their new albums, on Popcast. 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.

Jun 16, 201755 minEp. 133

Why We’re Still Listening to the Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’

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. 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.

Jun 09, 201730 minEp. 132

Latin Pop Thrives, No Bieber Required

“Despacito” is the first Spanish-language song to top the chart since “Macarena,” but there are many more interesting shifts in Latin pop today. 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.

Jun 02, 201747 minEp. 131

Festivals That Inspire Awe, and Festivals That Lead to Criminal Investigations

Music fests are ubiquitous, but only some are curated well enough to be thrilling. And there’s the Fyre Festival. 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.

May 26, 201747 minEp. 130

Harry Styles and John Mayer, Teardrops on Their Guitars

The One Direction member and the pop-blues poster boy have a few things in common. 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.

May 19, 201739 minEp. 129

Paramore Returns, Headed Straight For the 1980s

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? 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.

May 12, 201731 minEp. 128

Finding Feist’s Pleasure and Pain

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? 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.

May 05, 201726 minEp. 127

How Lil Uzi Vert Turned Rap Into Rock and Became a Pop Star

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? 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.

Apr 28, 201747 minEp. 126

A Deep Dig on Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole’s Hip-Hop’s Values

The two rappers recall an earlier time in the genre’s history, in terms of aesthetics and politics. How do they fit in today? 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.

Apr 21, 201755 minEp. 125

How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Chainsmokers?

In three years, the duo has had several hits while offending all sorts of people. What does its sound say about EDM? 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.

Apr 14, 201749 minEp. 124

Jazz in 2017: The Music Is Thriving, Though Support Is in Peril

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. 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.

Apr 07, 201739 minEp. 123

Drake Changed Hip-Hop’s Sound. Can He Change the Business?

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. 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.

Mar 27, 201758 minEp. 122

How Chuck Berry Became a Rock ’n’ Roll Mastermind

He wrote the guitar licks, told the clever stories, duckwalked across the stage and forever changed popular music 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.

Mar 22, 201724 minEp. 121

The Billboard Charts Are Wackier Than Ever: What’s Going On?

Streaming figures into chart positions now, a fact that has started yielding some very odd results. 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.

Mar 17, 201756 minEp. 120

What Future and Migos Tell Us About Atlanta’s Rap Dominance

A panel discusses Migos, Lil Yachty and more of the city’s budding stars on Popcast. 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.

Mar 03, 201759 minEp. 118

What Happens When Nashville Outsiders Become Country’s Big Stars?

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. 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.

Feb 24, 20171 hr 11 minEp. 117

Were There Any Real Winners at the Grammys?

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. 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.

Feb 14, 201757 minEp. 116

Will the Grammy Awards End With a Big Surprise?

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. 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.

Feb 10, 201738 minEp. 115

Punk Rock Is Alive and Well, No Politics Required

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. 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.

Feb 03, 201745 minEp. 114

The War Over ‘La La Land’: Gotta Hear Both Sides

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. 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.

Jan 27, 201750 minEp. 113

The Crooner in Chief: Barack Obama’s Musical Legacy

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. 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.

Jan 20, 201754 minEp. 112

Hip-Hop’s Elders and Youth Go to Battle (Again)

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. 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.

Jan 13, 201752 minEp. 111

Mariah Carey and New Year’s Eve: Is the Fantasy Over?

A panel discusses Ms. Carey's recent New Year's Eve performance and career. 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.

Jan 06, 201752 minEp. 110

The Year in Jazz Music

A roundtable of writers discuss trends and notable moments 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.

Dec 23, 201643 minEp. 108

Pop Music Trends in 2016

The pop music team discusses news themes and what may shape it for years to come. 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.

Dec 16, 201638 minEp. 107

The Best Albums of 2016

This week, The New York Times music team reflects on albums that defined 2016. 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.

Dec 09, 201653 minEp. 106

For Bruno Mars and the Weeknd, the Past as Muse

This week, a discussion of new releases by both artists who have more in common than it may appear. 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.

Dec 02, 201643 minEp. 105

Revisiting Kanye West's 'The Life of Pablo'

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. 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 25, 201653 minEp. 104

Mourning the Greats: Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell and Mose Allison

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. 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 18, 201629 minEp. 103
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast