Newcomers: Porter Robinson

Newcomers: Porter Robinson

Author: Switched on Pop September 6, 2024 Duration: 36:27
Porter Robinson has a unique relationship with being famous. With his new record SMILE! :D, the 32 year old producer and DJ steps front and center into the spotlight for the first time in his career, working through his thoughts on fame in the process — something he says he’s “addicted” to. The first track on the record, “Knock Yourself Out XD,” is a hook-laden radio pop hit destined to sit on a neon green iPod shuffle, filled with chiptuned synth textures and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about what it means to contend with nuclear levels of celebrity. Robinson’s voice is also front and center, unencumbered by the vocal manipulation and heavy production defining his two previous albums. “”Knock Yourself Out XD” was me indulging that fantasy of like, This is so not a Porter Robinson song. Everyone's gonna hate this,” he said. “But this is what seems really fun to me right now.” The rest of SMILE! :D juggles two truths about Robinson: his innate desire for a positive relationship with the c...

Ever wondered how a pop song gets its hooks into you? Switched on Pop digs into that question, peeling back the glossy layers of mainstream music to explore the craft and theory that make hits work. Hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding, this podcast is a conversation that feels like eavesdropping on two friends who are deeply passionate about the music everyone is hearing. They break down the mechanics of a track, from a surprising chord progression in a Taylor Swift bridge to the rhythmic patterns driving a Dua Lipa anthem, all while keeping the discussion accessible and engaging. Each episode focuses on a specific song, artist, or trend, treating pop not just as entertainment but as a rich subject worthy of serious, playful analysis. You’ll hear audio examples that illustrate their points, making the musical concepts tangible even if you’ve never read a note. It’s for anyone who has ever found themselves humming a tune and then stopped to ask why it’s so compelling. By connecting music theory to cultural impact, Switched on Pop offers a fresh lens on the soundtrack of our daily lives, revealing the intelligence and intention behind the music on the charts. Tune in and you might just find your listening habits forever changed.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Switched on Pop
Podcast Episodes
Did Kendrick Lamar kill hip-hop? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:37
Over the summer, the culture was shaken by the biggest rap beef this decade, between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. From “First Person Shooter” to “Not Like Us,” hip-hop listeners hung on each rapper’s every word and rebuttal…
Where are all the scary songs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
It’s the spookiest time of the year; Halloween is right around the corner. But unlike the winter holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, Halloween seems to lack a defining canon of scary music. There’s, of course, “Monster…
The virtuosity of Stevie Wonder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:58
Stevie Wonder may very well be our modern-day Mozart. A child prodigy, he joined Motown as a preadolescent, marketed as “Little Stevie Wonder.” He amazed audiences with his virtuosic command of the piano, harmonica, drum…
The last decade of pop explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:49
We celebrate Switched On Pop's 10th anniversary by taking a deep dive into the last decade of pop music. From bubblegum pop to EDM, trap, and K-pop, we explore how the sound of pop has continually evolved—even when it fe…
Learning to love: Coldplay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:35
Coldplay is one of the biggest musical acts in the world, ranking #6 on Spotify and boasting one of the highest-grossing tours of all time. Yet, despite their global success, they've often been a critical punching bag. T…
Fall Out Boy and the worst earworm ever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:52
Marianne Eloise has had the same Fall Out Boy song stuck in her head for over three years. "It’s Hard to Say 'I Do,' When I Don’t," an relatively obscure cut from the band's 2007 album Infinity on High has taken up perma…
Mexican pop is bigger than you think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:06
Last month, our producer Reanna Cruz had the opportunity to attend Baja Beach Fest in Rosarito, Mexico, a three-day Latin music festival set on the Mexican coastline. While they were there, they got the chance to tap int…
How Megan Thee Stallion brought Japanese hip hop to the Hot 100 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:56
"Mamushi," the fourth single from Megan the Stallion’s album Megan was not supposed to be a huge hit. But thanks to a viral dance, the song has become the first song on the Billboard Hot 100 to feature Japanese lyrics si…
Learning to love: Oasis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:42
Oasis, the Manchester band led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, conquered the charts in the 1990s with rock anthems like "Wonderwall." This month, they did something no one saw coming: Announced a reunion. In 2025, t…

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