‘Sinners,’ the Blues and Fighting for Artistic Control

‘Sinners,’ the Blues and Fighting for Artistic Control

Author: The New York Times April 28, 2025 Duration: 1:05:59
Unpacking the Ryan Coogler movie “Sinners,” starring Michael B. Jordan, and its relationship to music, genre and gatekeeping, with guests Wesley Morris, Reggie Ugwu and James Thomas.

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
Billie Eilish Is Done Hiding (Deluxe) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:00
A conversation about the pop singer’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Plus: How Tinashe’s “Nasty” went viral.
Taylor Swift: The ‘Tortured’ Mailbag [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:11
Answering your questions about the sound and substance of the pop superstar’s double album, and the way fans and critics have responded to it. Guests: Caryn Ganz and Stereogum's Tom Breihan.
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.