On this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby kick things off with some love for their dogs before diving into “MUTT,” the bold and emotionally rich single from Leon Thomas. They explore how the track—and the album of the same name—uses personal storytelling, inventive R&B production, and sharp lyricism to reflect themes of love, identity, and creative ind ... Show More
May 13
Ravyn Lenae "Love Me Not"
On this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive into the emotionally rich world of Ravyn Lenae, with a spotlight on her rising hit "Love Me Not." They unpack the track’s surprising lyrical depth and discuss how Ravyn’s distinctive vocal style—initially unexpected, yet undeni ... Show More
44m 22s
Jul 2024
Is country the new hip hop?
For decades, hip hop has been the most successful genre on the charts. Then, in 2023, a shift occurred. For the first time, the country songs outnumbered hip hop songs on the year end charts. Last year, country’s boom was led by hyper-partisan hits like Jason Aldean’s “Try That I ... Show More
35m 39s
Dec 2024
The Bridge: Slate Music Club 2024
The Slate Music Club is back, in a special edition of Hit Parade – “The Bridge”! Our year-end panel of critics—NPR Music’s Ann Powers, Hearing Things’ Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Slate’s own Carl Wilson and Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy—discuss their favorite albums and singles ... Show More
35m 12s
Jan 2025
Episode 76: James Hetfield on Words & Lyrics
The week of January 8, 2025 on The Metallica Report…
We speak with James Hetfield about his perennial and peerless lyrics. Our songwriter shares what he loves about the architecture of words, whether he sees himself as a storyteller, and his appreciation of Tom Waits. Then, we ta ... Show More
27m 37s
May 2024
James A. Cosby, "Rock Music, Authority and Western Culture, 1964-1980" (McFarland, 2024)
The history of rock and roll music can be seen in a long arc of Western civilization's struggle for both greater individual expression and societal stability. In the 1960s, the West's relationship with authority ruptured, in part due to the rock revolution. The lessons and implic ... Show More
42m 56s