What do Bach and smooth jazz have in common? Both score the unmistakable theme song for NPR's flagship show Morning Edition, listened to by millions across the country every day since 1979. This is undeniably pop music, a daily soundtrack to the lives of many. So why does it sound the way it does? And why, after forty years, why does NPR want to change it?
F ... Show More
Jun 27
How Americana helped mainstream country find its soul
As we've been examining over the course of Country Week, country music has found a larger audience, in part by widening its sonic palette. For the final episode of this series, we take a look at a genre on the outskirts of country – Americana music – and how it's being used to co ... Show More
35m 22s
Sep 2016
Sting Puts Down the Lute! Police Frontman Talks About His Return to Rock
Sting’s “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You” is the closest thing he’s made to a new Police song in decades. He talks to Rolling Stone’s Patrick Doyle about his upcoming album, 57th & 9th – as well as Prince, climate change deniers, and why he’s always working it. Plus: first though ... Show More
28m 18s
Oct 2019
What Makes Marie Faustin Sing? (Part 2)
In part two of last week's episode, Marie Faustin returns to sing music by her favorite Pop Queens: Beyonc, Rihanna, and Lizzo!
Listen to Larry Owens on the cast album of A Strange Loop HERE!Have you watched James Harvey's show, James Harvey: The Bald-Faced Truth? Watch it HERE!C ... Show More
40m 10s
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
21 m
Nov 2020
The Great Year-End Songs Debate
Building Pitchfork’s year-end lists of the best albums and songs is a lengthy and painstaking process, involving careful consideration of the 1,000-plus releases we review each year, and others we may have missed. We include innumerable factors in our decision-making, but sometim ... Show More
55m 41s
Oct 2020
100 gecs and the Mystery of Hyperpop
What is hyperpop? A movement? A meaningless label? A Spotify playlist? Whatever the answer, it surely has something to do with 100 gecs, the duo of Laura Les and Dylan Brady, whose songs sometimes sound like the last three decades of popular music happening all at once. On this e ... Show More
40m 42s