We recently deconstructed how Kate Bush’s 1985 song “Running Up That Hill” has found itself at the center of culture due to a placement in the Netflix, eighties, horror, sci-fi show, Stranger Things. For that episode we excerpted an interview with the composers of the show who shared great insights on how they created the iconic theme song and spooky soundsc ... Show More
Nov 18
Is there a Disney curse?: Demi, Selena, and Miley
This year, there were a few records that delivered less-than-optimal returns on either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 – and they all came from former Disney pop stars.
Demi Lovato’s latest album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200, where it spent one week and then fell ... Show More
48m 6s
Nov 11
Rosalía's 'LUX' brings the symphony to the club
Spanish pop star Rosalía is back with her new album, Lux. Over eighteen tracks, she trades in the dembow beats that filled her last record Motomami for maximalist orchestral sounds more in line with Björk than Bad Bunny. The album is dense: there's four movements, thirteen langua ... Show More
44m 2s
Nov 4
Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem
They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides that vengeance to the top of the Billboard charts. That’s ex ... Show More
33m 50s
Aug 2016
"Stranger Things" Composers Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon, and the Power of Music on TV
Examining the power of original scoring for television throughout history, with a particular emphasis on its return to prominence in the era of Peak TV. Plus: an interview with Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon, who wrote the music for Netflix's "Stranger Things."Theme music: "Slinky" ... Show More
39m 16s
Oct 2021
Spotlight on Avatar's Soundtrack with Jeremy Zuckerman and Hrishikesh Hirway
In this very special episode, ATLA & TLOK Composer Jeremy Zuckerman sits down with Janet, Dante, and Song Exploder’s Hrishikesh Hirway! The focus is all about the music in this lively discussion about the challenges and delights of scoring television and film. Listen to tales of ... Show More
53m 6s
Mar 2022
'Something in the Way,' 'The Batman,' Prince, and the Wild History of Batmusic
With Nirvana's 'Something in the Way' a streaming smash thanks to 'The Batman,' we look at the new movie's music and the whole story Batmusic, from the '60s TV theme song to Prince and beyond. David Fear and Erica Thompson join host Brian Hiatt for the discussion. Learn more abou ... Show More
39m 5s