13 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Big Hits Right Now

13 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Big Hits Right Now

Author: The New York Times April 18, 2025 Duration: 56:16
A tour of the more surprising — and kind of anonymous — corners of the current Billboard Hot 100.

Hosted by The New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica, Popcast digs into the conversations that define what we listen to now. This isn't just a rundown of new releases; it's a thoughtful dissection of the forces shaping popular music, from underground shifts to mainstream explosions. Each episode feels like a lively, insightful debate you'd have with the most knowledgeable friend in the room, blending sharp criticism with a genuine curiosity about where sound and culture collide. You'll hear interviews with artists, producers, and industry thinkers that go beyond the usual promotional talk, alongside regular discussions that unpack trends, controversies, and the occasional forgotten gem. The Popcast provides context and argument, offering a deeper understanding of why a song or artist resonates-or fails to-at a particular moment in time. It’s essential listening for anyone who wants to move past the playlist and into the ideas driving the music. As a production of The New York Times, this podcast brings the same level of rigor and reporting you'd expect from their journalism, applied directly to the ever-evolving world of pop.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Popcast
Podcast Episodes
Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured’ Era [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:33
A discussion about the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” Swift’s “imperial era,” the use of her rumored relationships and production choices.
Beyoncé, ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Filling in History’s Gaps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:11
A conversation about how the pop superstar’s genre experiments explore race and power, and the implicit politics that come with them. Guests: Marcus K. Dowling and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd.
Lil Jon: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:51
An in-depth interview with the Atlanta hip-hop and EDM legend, tracing his path through punk, skateboarding and crunk music on the way to this year’s Super Bowl.
The Justin Timberlake Conundrum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:23
His sixth solo album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” has been met with critical dismissal and weaker sales. Where can the onetime pop superstar turn next? Guests: Steven J. Horowitz and Joshunda Sanders.
Popcast (Deluxe): Is Reality TV in a New Golden Age? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:37
Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.
Tate McRae, Dua Lipa and the Fight to Be ‘Main Pop Girl’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
A conversation about a title that emerged from stan communities, and how it’s played a role in pop singers’ careers. Guests: Vulture's Jason P. Frank and Rolling Stone's Larisha Paul.