Tongue twisters that mock techno-optimism and cite critical theory don’t usually make for catchy song lyrics. But indie rocker Rosie Tucker’s Utopia Now! finds beauty in the dross of late capitalism. Over 13 songs backed by distorted guitars and blazing drum fills, Tucker’s searing vocals bemoan the inherent dislocation of our modern world while searching fo ... Show More
Oct 7
Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Sound: How to actually listen to the album
Taylor Swift's twelfth album has sparked endless speculation about who each song is "really about," but that might be the wrong question entirely. The Life of a Showgirl isn’t biography, it’s polyphonic auto-fiction, where Swift writes from multiple character perspectives while b ... Show More
1h 9m
Oct 3
The Power of the Trio (ft. Trousdale live at USC)
There's no lead singer in Trousdale. The trio of Quinn D'Andrea, Georgia Greene, and Lauren Jones, has shared vocal duties equally since they started singing together as students at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. Since then, they've touring the ... Show More
48m 39s
Oct 2020
Turn Around, Bright Eyes, Part 2
Hit Parade is back for non-Slate Plus listeners! Upcoming episodes will be split into two parts, released two weeks apart. For the full episode right now, sign up for Slate Plus and you'll also get The Bridge, our Trivia show and bonus deep dive into our subjects. slate.com/hitpa ... Show More
57m 7s
May 2024
'The Tortured Poets Department' Wrap-Up, and the Power of 'Espresso' | Every Single Album: Taylor Swift
Nora and Nathan give a few final thoughts about 'The Tortured Poets Department,' including what the charts can tell us about how people are listening to this album (1:00), and whether Taylor Swift albums can be properly reviewed anymore (34:25). Then, they talk about Sabrina Carp ... Show More
1h 4m
Oct 2020
Uncle Kracker Talks Rap, Candy Bars, Whiskey, Falls in Love With Resilient Bourbon
On this week's episode of The Fred Minnick Show, Matthew Shafer - better known as Uncle Kracker - chimes in to chat with Fred over a whiskey flight. As Uncle Kracker, Shafer was rocker/rapper Kid Rock's turntablist as part of the backing band Twisted Brown Trucker. Uncle Kracker ... Show More
1h 19m
Dec 2023
Now That We Don't Talk (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)
This is the shortest song in Taylor Swift's entire discography but like she says, it sure does pack a punch!Taylor sings about a charasmatic person that charmed her, even though she had to tolerate them a bit, but now all of that's changed now!What references in this song make a ... Show More
39m 23s
Mar 2024
Episode 708 | "Your Feet is Tea"
The JBP starts this episode with a weekend full of new music including ‘Enough’ from Cardi B (21:41), songs from Sexyy Redd and PARTYNEXTDOOR (36:12), plus music from Gunna, Don Tolliver, and Flo Milli (46:08). Karrueche is selling feet pics on OnlyFans (58:20), Kanye West has fi ... Show More
3h 23m