

Switched on Pop
Vulture
A podcast all about the making and meaning of popular music. Musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding pull back the curtain on how pop hits work magic on our ears & our culture. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 28, 2023 • 31min
Behind the Scenes of Switched on Pop on Harman Audio Talks
In this podcast, the hosts discuss their process of analyzing songs, making it accessible to the audience. They also explore the emotional process of releasing an album with artists and discuss what makes a hit record. The hosts share their favorite song recommendations and provide updates on future episodes and sponsors.

Nov 21, 2023 • 40min
Noah Kahan’s Folk Pop Revival
Noah Kahan, a Vermont singer-songwriter and harbingers of the 2023 stomp-clap revival, discusses secret magic chords, car commercial music, Stick Season, unexpected success, drawing musical inspiration, Americana pop folk comeback, music identity, writer's block, useless talents, and mystery chords in this entertaining podcast.

Nov 14, 2023 • 48min
Why Country Music Dominated 2023's Charts
Country music dominated the charts in 2023 with controversial hits by Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Oliver Anthony Music, Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, and Kacey Musgraves. The podcast explores the rise of country music, the influence of black creators, the effects of gatekeeping on the charts, and the controversy surrounding Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road'. It also discusses the importance of authenticity in country music and teases an upcoming episode with Noah Kahn.

Nov 7, 2023 • 31min
The Beatles: "Now and Then" and Forever
The podcast discusses the creation of a new Beatles song using AI voice separation technology, the origins of the John Lennon demo tape, and the process behind bringing the worn-out recording back to life. They also analyze the vocals and sonic experimentation in a Beatles song, reflect on the significance of travel experiences, and offer a farewell to The Beatles.

Oct 28, 2023 • 43min
Rerecording Taylor Swift's 1989, Dark Side of the Moon, and Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift, Roger Waters, and Demi Lovato have all re-recorded their iconic songs for different reasons. Taylor Swift seeks control of her master recordings with her album '1989 (Taylor's Version)'. Roger Waters explores his acclaimed work from his youth in 'Dark Side of the Moon Redux'. Demi Lovato revamps their old pop hits into a hard rock aesthetic. Switched On Pop analyzes all three albums, comparing them to the original and uncovering new musical discoveries.

Oct 24, 2023 • 43min
Chartbreakers: Mitski tops the TikTok chart
This podcast explores the dominance of Drake on the Billboard Hot 100 and looks at the new TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart. They discuss Mitski's surprising success on TikTok, the use of slap back delay in her song, and the resurgence of a hip hop track from the late 2000s. They also analyze the influence of TikTok on the music industry, highlighting the success of songs like 'Little Boothang' and 'Ski'. Finally, they touch on podcast production details and joke about needing professorial shoulder pads.

Oct 17, 2023 • 51min
How Talking Heads reinvented the concert film (with Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz)
Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz, members of the Talking Heads, discuss the iconic concert film Stop Making Sense. They explore the impact of concert films and discuss Madonna's Truth or Dare, Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same, and Beyonce's Homecoming. The hosts also talk about the challenges of live performances and the importance of behind-the-scenes footage in concert films. They delve into creating a concert film and the value of fan-created films. Finally, they explore the themes of Beyonce's Renaissance concert film.

Oct 11, 2023 • 42min
Feeling Fine with Faye Webster
In this episode, Switched on Pop explores the music of singer-songwriter Faye Webster, discussing her unique fusion of genres and her ties to Atlanta's music scene. They analyze Faye's intricate soundscape, highlighting elements like the pedal steel guitar and her vocal treatment. The hosts also discuss Faye's hypnotic and transportive music, her latest singles, and the evolution of her song 'but not kiss'. They engage listeners, promote merchandise, and mention an upcoming episode with Talking Heads.

Oct 6, 2023 • 40min
Metro Boomin Wants Some More
Explore Metro Boomin's rise as a producer and his collaborations. Discover his unique sound and production approach. Learn about his versatility and collaborations across different genres. Compare Rihanna's 'Creepin' with Mario Winans' 'I don't want to know'. Dive into the transformation of tracks into darker versions. Reflect on Metro Boomin's impact and get a preview of an upcoming episode on another Atlanta artist.

Oct 3, 2023 • 41min
In Defense of Crunk
Lil Jon, the man behind the paragon of crunk music, talks about the origins and influence of crunk, the geographic diversity and rise of the genre, the diverse synthesizer layers used in crunk songs, and the impact of crunk on other genres.