Popcast

The New York Times

The Popcast is hosted by Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for The New York Times. It covers the latest in popular music criticism, trends and news. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp read less

Our Editor's Take

Jon Caramanica has his finger on the pulse of popular music. The New York Times is mindful of who takes care of its pop music criticism section, after all. The Popcast podcast is a pop culture extravaganza about the world of popular music. There is more to pop music than what shimmers on the surface. Who better to investigate than one of the world's foremost pop music critics?

Pop music is always evolving. New stars rise and fall every day. Established artists release new music that can change the course of their careers. Social media changed the way people discover and access new music. The velocity and volume of new releases is ever-increasing. Every pop music fanatic needs a guide to explain the latest developments. Popcast is that guide. The New York Times pop music team recaps all the industry's happenings in each podcast episode. It also embraces fascinating questions of nostalgia and influence.

Jon Caramanica is a fantastic host, filling the show with enthusiasm and knowledge. Popcast is a podcast that talks about anything and everything pop music. It doesn't matter where it comes from. It could be the radio, TikTok, or wherever else. This is a deep dive into pop culture with an expert at the controls.

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How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump’s Second Term?

How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump’s Second Term?

His first term was marked by backlash and protest. But the president-elect has found new streams of embrace and approval. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Episodes

How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump’s Second Term?

How Will Popular Culture Change in Trump’s Second Term?

His first term was marked by backlash and protest. But the president-elect has found new streams of embrace and approval. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Remembering Quincy Jones, a Bridge Between Genres and Generations

Remembering Quincy Jones, a Bridge Between Genres and Generations

A conversation about his long and unique footprint in music, and how he discussed it later in his career. Guest: David Marchese.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

‘Love Is Blind’ Resets, ‘Survivor’ Stalls: A Reality TV Check-in

‘Love Is Blind’ Resets, ‘Survivor’ Stalls: A Reality TV Check-in

A palate-cleanse conversation about the state of legacy reality franchises, and what might come next for them. Guests: Joe Coscarelli and Caryn Ganz.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Yeat’s Chart Topper and Rage Rap’s New Wave

Yeat’s Chart Topper and Rage Rap’s New Wave

A conversation about the mysterious rapper’s rise and the impact of hip-hop’s splintering. Guest: Joe Coscarelli. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Chappell Roan’s Rocket-Ship Year

Chappell Roan’s Rocket-Ship Year

The pop star’s ascent has tested the boundaries of contemporary pop, and may create a template for a next generation. Guest: Teen Vogue's P. Claire Dodson.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

It’s Touring Season: Chappell, Sabrina and Mk.gee Hit the Stage

It’s Touring Season: Chappell, Sabrina and Mk.gee Hit the Stage

A roundup of some of the biggest and most impactful shows on the road this fall, and how live performances can shift the audience’s perception of an artist. Guest: Joe Coscarelli.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Cases Against Sean Combs

The Cases Against Sean Combs

A discussion of the accusations the music mogul faces, the court of public opinion and how the entertainment press covers morally complicated figures. Guests: Ben Sisario, Julia Jacobs and Joe Coscarelli. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

John Summit Interview! Accountant Turned EDM Superstar on Texting Exes & Not Getting Into Clubs

John Summit Interview! Accountant Turned EDM Superstar on Texting Exes & Not Getting Into Clubs

The dance music DJ and producer John Summit speaks on the return of EDM and his rise, from working as an accountant and spinning at underground parties to headlining Madison Square Garden and festivals around the world.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

How Trump and Harris Are Courting Pop Stars (Very Differently)

How Trump and Harris Are Courting Pop Stars (Very Differently)

A discussion about the ways in which musicians and social media stars, both mainstream and more obscure, have figured into the current presidential campaign.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl, Sabrina Carpenter on Top

Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl, Sabrina Carpenter on Top

Plus: A conversation about the career of Rich Homie Quan, who died last week.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

21 Questions With Action Bronson (Deluxe)

21 Questions With Action Bronson (Deluxe)

The rapper and gourmand answers our rapid-fire questionnaire covering the music of his childhood, how he manages stress, his go-to bodega order and more.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Who Is Eminem for in 2024?

Who Is Eminem for in 2024?

A conversation about the Detroit rapper’s long and unlikely career as his 12th studio album reaches No. 1. Guests: Jayson Buford and Rob Markman.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We Ranked Every Taylor Swift Album! (Deluxe)

We Ranked Every Taylor Swift Album! (Deluxe)

Two longtime chroniclers of Swift’s career list their favorites — and least favorites — of the singer’s 11 original studio albums so far.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Will There Ever Be Another Global Pop Icon? (Deluxe)

Will There Ever Be Another Global Pop Icon? (Deluxe)

In a moment of success for newcomers like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, is there still a path to becoming a true cross-platform pop superstar?Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ Breakthrough

Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ Breakthrough

The pop songwriter’s sixth album is in some ways her most daring release yet. Improbably, it also yielded her best opening week. Guest host: Lindsay Zoladz. Guests: Shaad D'Souza and Meaghan Garvey.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

What’s an Aging Rapper to Do? Eminem, Drake, J. Cole (& Will Smith!) Adapt (Deluxe)

What’s an Aging Rapper to Do? Eminem, Drake, J. Cole (& Will Smith!) Adapt (Deluxe)

New songs from Eminem, Drake and J. Cole — plus Will Smith’s post-Slap “Bad Boys” comeback — demonstrate different paths for maturing (or not).Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Julia Fox Interview! on Charli XCX, ‘It Girl’ Songs & Kanye Lessons

Julia Fox Interview! on Charli XCX, ‘It Girl’ Songs & Kanye Lessons

The actress, writer and downtown New York icon discusses her post-Kanye career, what it’s like to see her past go viral and the history of “It Girl” pop songs.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

How A.I. Has Changed Music, and What’s Coming Next

How A.I. Has Changed Music, and What’s Coming Next

Artificial intelligence has become the dominant disrupter to music creation and distribution. And it’s only getting started. Guests: Bloomberg's Rachel Metz and Billboard's Kristin Robinson.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Did Dua Lipa Flop? + Miserable Music Movies (Deluxe)

Did Dua Lipa Flop? + Miserable Music Movies (Deluxe)

Discussing the imperfect rollout of “Radical Optimism," plus: the recent music movies “Back to Black,” about Amy Winehouse, and “The Idea of You” with Anne Hathaway.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Billie Eilish Is Done Hiding (Deluxe)

Billie Eilish Is Done Hiding (Deluxe)

A conversation about the pop singer’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Plus: How Tinashe’s “Nasty” went viral.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.