Popcast

The New York Times

About

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.

Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

Available on

Community

477 episodes

Lil Jon: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview

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.

1h 44m
Mar 27, 2024
The Justin Timberlake Conundrum

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.

59m
Mar 26, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Is Reality TV in a New Golden Age?

Catching up on recent hit shows like “Love Is Blind,” “The Traitors” and “Survivor,” including how social media has added another layer of reality.

1h 20m
Mar 21, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): What’s an Industry Plant Anyway? Plus: Ariana Grande

Discussing the quick ascent of the downtempo R&B singer 4batz, the new Ariana Grande album, “eternal sunshine,” music at the Oscars and more.

1h 6m
Mar 14, 2024
Tate McRae, Dua Lipa and the Fight to Be ‘Main Pop Girl’

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.

56m
Mar 13, 2024
girl in red: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview

An interview with the Norwegian singer girl in red (Marie Ulven) about her second album, “I’m Doing It Again Baby!,” opening for Taylor Swift and more.

1h 14m
Mar 06, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Is TikTok Done? 4 Crises Holding the App Back

Once addictive and effective, TikTok is struggling with commercialization, a shifting relationship with the music industry and more.

51m
Feb 28, 2024
Remembering Toby Keith and His Complexities

A conversation about his loudest (and quieter) moments, and how patriotism has played into country music. Guest: David Cantwell.

42m
Feb 27, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Pop Stars vs. the Attention Economy

Jennifer Lopez’s new film and album, “This Is Me … Now,” plus other confusing recent rollouts for pop stars including Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake and Camila Cabello.

1h 3m
Feb 22, 2024
Covering the Rise of Tracy Chapman

In 1988, “Fast Car” turned the singer-songwriter into a star. She was skeptical of the spotlight, and learning to wield her power. Guest: Steve Pond.

34m
Feb 21, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Usher, Beyoncé and Ye Lead a Busy Week in Pop

Recapping the Super Bowl halftime show, two new singles from Beyoncé, Ye’s “Vultures 1” album and more.

1h 9m
Feb 15, 2024
How Usher Arrived at the Super Bowl Halftime Show

A conversation about his long career path through several generations of R&B, and what he might do on such a big stage. Guests: Thomas Hobbs and Danielle Amir Jackson.

51m
Feb 08, 2024
2024 Grammys, Dissected: Taylor, Miley, SZA, Tracy, Joni and More

Was this the year the awards got it correct? Guests: Caryn Ganz, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

52m
Feb 07, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Will Taylor, SZA or Olivia Win Big at the Grammys?

A breakdown of the major categories and most interesting competitions at the 66th annual awards on Sunday.

1h 7m
Jan 31, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Playboi Carti, Waxahatchee and 12 More to Watch

A breakdown of new albums and songs for 2024 (and a handful of possible but dubious releases).

52m
Jan 24, 2024
Pitchfork, the Early Years

With the music website’s future uncertain, Ryan Schreiber and Chris Kaskie look back at its start.

1h 0m
Jan 24, 2024
An Elastic and Impressive Moment in Jazz

A rundown of impressive recent releases and a look at who benefits (and suffers) when artists working outside formal jazz idioms are lumped into conversations about the genre. Guests: Marcus J. Moore and Giovanni Russonello.

57m
Jan 19, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande and 21 Savage Kick Off 2024

Pop’s premier troll returns while one of its biggest voices turns her attention to gossip, and the first blockbuster rap album of the year arrives.

49m
Jan 17, 2024
Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Saltburn,’ Jacob Elordi and the New Heartthrob Era

Plus: Barry Keoghan’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” Jeremy Allen White’s stripped-down moment and Nathan Fielder’s “The Curse” wraps up.

1h 4m
Jan 11, 2024
What Did We Learn From a Year in Live Shows?

Concerts paused during the height of the pandemic, and returned at full power in 2023. Our pop music editor saw a lot of them. Guest: Caryn Ganz

43m
Jan 10, 2024
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and the Sphere: The Year in Live Music

The touring business saw record revenue in 2023 and major tours made news, but fans still struggle with ticket prices and access — and political leaders are watching. Guest: Ben Sisario.

48m
Dec 23, 2023
Popcast (Deluxe): The Kid Mero on the Viral Characters of 2023

The comedian and podcaster known as the Kid Mero on the year in internet domination, including Ice Spice, Keith Lee, the Weeknd, Kai Cenat and more.

1h 7m
Dec 20, 2023
Chatting About the Best Songs of 2023

The most impactful tracks of the year come from different genres and generations — and not all of them are traditional songs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

1h 0m
Dec 15, 2023
Jelly Roll: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview

An emotional conversation with one of the year’s biggest breakout stars about turning his life around and transitioning from Southern rap to country hitmaking.

1h 10m
Dec 13, 2023
The Albums That Defined 2023? Let’s Discuss.

Our critics debate their year-end lists (and agree on SZA, Olivia Rodrigo and 100 gecs!) in a wrap-up of the year in LPs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.

53m
Dec 09, 2023
Popcast (Deluxe): Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Movie Shows All the Work

Discussing the singer’s new concert film that documents the Renaissance World Tour, interspersed with behind-the-scenes looks at how it came to be.

1h 8m
Dec 06, 2023
Jung Kook, BTS and English Language K-Pop

A conversation about K-pop’s long march to American awareness, and the potential risks of that embrace. Guest: Kara.

44m
Dec 01, 2023
Popcast (Deluxe): Can Rap Bridge Its Generation Gap?

Is it possible for rappers to age gracefully? Where are the new stars? A discussion on the state of the genre and where it may be heading.

1h 13m
Nov 29, 2023
André 3000’s Experiments With Flutes and Fame

The acclaimed rapper’s first solo album contains no rapping. What does this sharp creative turn reveal about its maker? Guests: GQ's Zach Baron, and Sadie Sartini Garner.

1h 3m
Nov 25, 2023
Popcast (Deluxe): Mailbag! The Beatles, Taylor Swift and More

Taking viewer and listener questions on hot topics in pop music.

53m
Nov 22, 2023