Still getting your music recommendations from your college roommate’s cousin’s Spotify playlist? How 2023 of you. Welcome to the world of music podcasts, where hosts who are way cooler than any of us spend hours dissecting everything from obscure B-sides to why that one song you hate is actually a misunderstood masterpiece.
Let’s face it – we all need something to listen to while pretending to work, and your carefully curated playlist of “focus music” isn’t fooling anyone. Whether you’re a vinyl-hoarding purist who won’t shut up about analog warmth, or someone who just wants to understand why your favorite artist suddenly decided to release a polka-jazz fusion album, there’s a music podcast out there for you.
I’ve done the heavy lifting of sorting through the endless sea of music podcasts to bring you the ones actually worth your precious earbud time. Let’s go!
All Songs Considered
Listen to All Songs Considered
All Songs Considered, NPR’s premier music exploration show, has been introducing listeners to new sounds and artists since its debut in 2000. Host Robin Hilton and the NPR Music team gather weekly to dive into fascinating musical discussions with guests, musicians, and fellow enthusiasts. They tackle compelling topics that music lovers everywhere ponder.
Heat Rocks
Music connoisseurs Oliver Wang and Morgan Rhodes, a dynamic duo of music writer and supervisor, welcome you to their weekly sonic exploration. Each episode features illuminating discussions with talented musicians, insightful critics, and distinguished academics who share the transformative albums that have left an indelible mark on their lives.
Rolling Stone Music Now
Listen to Rolling Stone Music Now
Rolling Stone senior writer Brian Hiatt takes you behind the scenes of the music industry’s most compelling narratives. Each episode unpacks major developments in the music world, featuring in-depth conversations with renowned musicians, expert analysis of new album releases, and exclusive reporting from Rolling Stone journalists.
Bandsplain
Host Yasi Salek guides you through deep dives into legendary and underground musical acts, with knowledgeable guests breaking down what makes these artists so special to their devoted followers. Through carefully selected song collections, the show illuminates why certain bands inspire such passionate fanbases and helps newcomers discover what they’ve been missing.
Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters
Listen to Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters
Every other week, this show delves beneath the surface with the masterminds behind music’s most enduring compositions. Through intimate conversations, we explore the lives and creative processes of these celebrated songwriters – the household names and behind-the-scenes craftspeople who’ve penned the melodies and verses that have become part of our cultural fabric.
Strong Songs
Each episode of Strong Songs finds host Kirk Hamilton dissecting the DNA of remarkable musical compositions. What makes a song tick? Hamilton peels back the layers – from melodies and harmonies to rhythms and arrangements – revealing the inner workings that give great music its power.
Pop Pantheon
In this show, host DJ Louie XIV and special guests dive deep – perhaps obsessively deep – into the careers, impact, and legacies of pop music’s biggest names. Through detailed discussion and passionate debate, they evaluate these artists’ contributions before determining their rightful place in the definitive Pop Pantheon rankings.
Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
Music’s most influential artists sit down with hosts Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond for intimate conversations. Each episode explores the personal journeys, creative sparks, and artistic processes behind the music – culminating in live performances from these legendary creators.
The Monday Morning Mixtape
Listen to The Monday Morning Mixtape
A regular series exploring iconic songs and the brilliant minds behind them.
Desert Island Discs
Eight songs, one book, and a special luxury: what would you bring to a deserted island? Guests reveal the music that defines their lives.
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Listen to Twenty Thousand Hertz
The origins and secrets of the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.
Afropop Worldwide
Afropop Worldwide is a globally broadcast weekly radio show, an online hub for African and world music, and a vast international music archive. Since 1988, it has brought the rich musical traditions of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean to American audiences.
Song Exploder
On each instalment of this audio series, host and producer Hrishikesh Hirway invites musical artists to deconstruct one of their compositions. The musicians guide listeners through a detailed journey of their creative process, revealing the individual elements, inspirations, and techniques that combined to form the finished track.
60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s
Listen to 60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s
Whether you’re nostalgic for the Clinton era or ready to dust off your old iPods with us, Rob Harvilla’s complete collection awaits below. Check back every Wednesday for fresh episodes.
Questlove Supreme
Weekly, Questlove and crew dive into candid conversations with music icons and cultural influencers, uncovering rare insights and origin stories with their signature blend of depth and humor. Past episodes feature luminaries like Usher, Michelle Obama, Chris Rock, and Chaka Khan sharing their journeys and behind-the-scenes moments.
Hit Parade
Chart expert Chris Molanphy breaks down the complex formula behind music’s biggest hits in this fascinating audio series. Drawing from his popular Slate column, Molanphy explores the perfect storm of elements—artistic brilliance, fortunate circumstances, perfect release windows, and numerous other factors—that propel certain tracks to commercial dominance.
Song by Song
A podcast journey through Tom Waits’s complete discography, with musician-podcaster Martin Zaltz Austwick and musician-actor Sam Pay dedicating each episode to examining a single composition by the legendary artist. The hosts have challenged themselves to methodically explore Waits’s entire musical output, analyzing every track chronologically from his earliest recordings to his most recent works.
Sound Opinions
Combining the expertise of two acclaimed music journalists with fresh industry updates, personal insights, and exclusive artist sessions, Sound Opinions creates the perfect listening environment for music enthusiasts. The show blends commentary on both classic recordings and current releases to create a gathering place for passionate music lovers to connect and discover.
The Record Spinner Podcast
Listen to The Record Spinner Podcast
This audio series explores African American musical traditions through a young jazz enthusiast’s vinyl collection. Host Leon examines diverse black music through a liberation-focused lens, blending his passion for these sounds with black empowerment themes while encouraging listeners to begin their own cultural journeys.
Dissect
Each season, host Cole Cuchna conducts an exhaustive examination of a single musical collection, dedicating entire episodes to individual tracks. Cuchna offers meticulous breakdowns of works by acclaimed artists including Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyoncé, Tyler The Creator, and Frank Ocean, among others. Experience the deconstruction.
Talkhouse Podcast
Your favorite artists, filmmakers, and creative minds in unfiltered conversations—no host, no script, no clichés. The Talkhouse Podcast delivers rare insights into creativity across all genres and generations.
Tape Notes
Tape Notes is a podcast exploring the craft of music production. Hosted by John Kennedy, it reunites artists and producers to discuss their studio collaborations, from song ideas to final touches. Featuring demos and session stems, it offers a rare glimpse into the creative process of top musical talents.
Rock in Retrospect
“Rock in Retrospect” explores the careers and legacies of influential musicians. Host Nick Bambach and guests discuss favourite artists, industry impact, and music institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With engaging and often humorous conversations, it’s a must-listen for music history fans.
50 Years of Hip Hop
In August 2023, Hip Hop celebrated 50 years. Born in the Bronx, it has grown into a global cultural force. iHeart Podcast Network presents *50 Years of Hip Hop*, a series tracing its evolution from DJ Kool Herc to Travis Scott, featuring key figures and deep dives into its worldwide impact.
Song Craft: Breaking It Down
Listen to Song Craft: Breaking It Down
Song Craft is a podcast where musicians come together to dissect a song—breaking it down, analyzing the lyrics, and exploring different creative approaches. With plenty of laughs and a drink in hand, they dive deep into the music while enjoying the process.
Tiny Desk Concerts
NPR Music’s *Tiny Desk Concerts* bring top artists to perform intimate sets at host Bob Boilen’s desk. From Wilco and Adele to Miguel and The xx, experience unique live performances from a diverse lineup of musicians.
Punch Up The Jam
Each Thursday, Andrew and Evan Gregory (of The Gregory Brothers) team up with a special guest to revisit, critique, and tweak a song—ultimately delivering a fresh, “punched-up” version.
Switched on Pop
A podcast exploring the creation and impact of popular music. Musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding break down how pop hits captivate our ears and shape culture.
The Story Behind The Song
Listen to The Story Behind The Song
*The Story Behind the Song* features host Peter Csathy in deep conversations with artists about their most iconic tracks, exploring the creative journey and inspiration behind their lasting hits.
Louder Than A Riot
Hip-hop gave a voice to the unheard, but freedom isn’t the same for everyone. Within the culture, Black women and queer communities have faced the very struggles the music sought to defy.
One Song
In every episode of ONE SONG, Diallo Riddle (Emmy-nominated star and creator of HBO Max’s *South Side* and IFC’s *Sherman’s Showcase*) and Blake “LUXXURY” Robin (music producer and TikTok creator) team up to dive into ONE iconic pop song. Together, they deliver a hilarious and unique breakdown of tracks you either know well or *should* know.
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Listen to A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Andrew Hickey offers a history of rock music from 1938 to 1999, examining 500 songs that helped define the genre.
Ongoing History of New Music
Listen to Ongoing History of New Music
*Ongoing History of New Music* explores everything from alt-rock to hip hop, with artist profiles and thematic deep dives. Hosted by the iconic Alan Cross, it’s Canada’s top music documentary. Each episode offers unique insights you won’t find elsewhere.
Composer of the Week
Listen to Composer of the Week
*Composer of the Week* on BBC Radio 3 is a deep dive into composers and their works. The podcast, featuring highlights from the week’s episodes, is released every Friday and is available only in the UK.
The New Music Business with Ari Herstand
Listen to The New Music Business with Ari Her stand
Ari Herstand, the best-selling author of *How To Make It in the New Music Business*, is hailed by Forbes as “The poster child of DIY music.” In this podcast, he breaks down the insights of the music industry’s top minds, uncovering the tools, tactics, and strategies that listeners can apply to build thriving careers.
The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers
Listen to The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers
*The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers* takes listeners on a journey through Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Featuring comedians, actors, and musicians, the show explores these iconic albums with humour, insight, and a fresh perspective.
Do you know of another music podcast that you think should be on this list? Let me know.
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