For nearly a decade, Julia Michaels has penned hit songs for the biggest acts in pop music. She is adept at turning people’s vulnerabilities into memorable hooks — think Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” or Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me.” There are countless others, but all of them share distinctive traits. Where many songwriters might turn to the simplest, almo ... Show More
Jun 9
Paul McCartney went back to Liverpool for something new to say
Boys of Dungeon Lane, McCartney's collaboration with producer Andrew Watt, arrived when McCartney was 83 and and he came out swinging: the opening track greets listeners with a dissonant, unresolved guitar chord that sets the album's tone. Harmonic instability runs through the en ... Show More
42m 8s
Jun 5
How a sci-fi dystopia became a personal utopia (ft. Arc Iris)
A sci-fi ballet imagined a 2080 where AI strips people of purpose, and the day before its New York premiere, an actual dystopia arrived. Arc Iris, the trio of Jocie Adams, Zach Tenorio and Ray Belli, built iTMRW as a concept record set in a future ruled by a mega-corporation that ... Show More
13m 2s
Jun 2
Why bands give us purpose (ft. MUNA)
A culture that rewards easily consumable individual identities produces plenty of pop stars and almost no bands. A significant exception: MUNA, the trio of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. MUNA treats the band as a structure that grounds identity beyond the ego a ... Show More
52m 19s
Mar 2021
March 23rd – Demi Lovato Premieres New Music, Halsey Changes Her Pronouns and Selena Gomez Celebrates No. 1 Latin Album
Demi Lovato debuted two new songs during the L.A. premiere of her docuseries 'Dancing With the Devil', Halsey opens up about why changing her pronouns makes her feel the 'most authentic' and Selena Gomez reaches a career milestone with her first No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums char ... Show More
5m 1s
Jan 2023
Two Songs That Remind Me of my Mom, Jenni
In this emotional episode, Chiquis breaks down two very special songs: “Paloma Blanca” and “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Not only was “Paloma Blanca” her first single, but it was a song written in response to her late mother Jenni Rivera’s “Paloma Negra.” A refreshed Mariachi version ... Show More
36m 54s
Aug 2020
Lianne La Havas's Bittersweet Memories
British singer/songwriter Lianne La Havas recently released her third album, a self-titled collection of songs about love, heartbreak, and independence. Pitchfork editor Puja Patel recently spoke with Lianne at home in London over video chat for Pitchfork’s Listening Club. They t ... Show More
18 m