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.
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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.
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.
Tate McRae, Dua Lipa and the Fight to Be ?Main Pop Girl?
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.
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.
Popcast (Deluxe): Pop Stars vs. the Attention Economy
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.
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.
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.
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and the Sphere: The Year in Live Music
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Popcast (Deluxe): What Is Going On With the Grammy Nominations?
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."
Popcast (Deluxe): ?Priscilla? and ?The Golden Bachelor? Plumb Heartbreak
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A conversation about the singer-songwriter?s post-politics approach to stardom, his dogged work ethic and his artistic coalition with fellow dissidents.
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
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.
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.