

Dissect
The Ringer
Analyzing the music and meaning of one album per season, one song per episode. Join host Cole Cuchna as he dives deep into albums by Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyonce, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and more. Let's Dissect.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 5, 2020 • 47min
S6E3 - Don’t Hurt Yourself by Beyoncé (feat. Jack White)
We continue our serialized analysis of Beyoncé’s Lemonade by dissecting its third chapter “Anger,” which features the song “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” Beyoncé flips stereotypical gender roles to command the respect of her partner and reclaim her agency. But how long can her anger sustain?A visual guide for this episode can be found at dissectpodcast.com. Follow us on social media @dissectpodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 30, 2020 • 53min
Titi & Cole visit the Louisiana Plantations in Lemonade
Hear S6 co-host Titi and Cole in conversation about their experience traveling together to the Louisiana sugar plantations seen throughout the visuals of Lemonade. We’ll also learn more about Titi, her educational background, and both Cole and Titi’s history with Beyoncé’s music.Listen to Titi’s podcast Dope Labs: https://open.spotify.com/show/3pCF6hcNsAHKlKAillCOuZ?si=DZ-hYwjPQ0OS5oW39bjODQ. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 28, 2020 • 41min
S6E2 - Hold Up by Beyoncé
This podcast analyzes the second chapter of Beyoncé's Lemonade album, focusing on the song 'Hold Up.' It explores Beyoncé's transformation and her connection to the Nigerian-Yoruba faith, as well as the creation of the song itself. The episode delves into themes of infidelity, empowerment, and identity, providing a deep analysis of the symbolism and musical elements throughout.

Apr 23, 2020 • 46min
S6E1 - Beyoncé: LEMONADE
In this podcast episode, Titi Shodiya joins as co-host to analyze Beyoncé's visually stunning album Lemonade. They discuss the opening chapter 'Intuition,' exploring themes of intuition, infidelity, and healing. The podcast also examines the significance of Beyoncé falling into water and the presence of two Beyonces in the music video.

Jan 28, 2020 • 1h 11min
S5E20 - Season Finale: DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar
We conclude our season on DAMN. by recapping the album’s narrative in standard track order before speculating on an alternative narrative when listening in reverse track order. Finally, we present a new theory about the album’s track listing (did someone say “chiasm”?).Stay connected over the break by following @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM.Megaphone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 21, 2020 • 54min
S5E19 - DUCKWORTH. by Kendrick Lamar
DUCKWORTH. tells the remarkable true story of the chance encounter between Kendrick’s father Kenny Duckworth and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. Kendrick uses this story to illustrate the album’s central message: the (unpredictable) blessings that come from choosing weakness.Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 14, 2020 • 1h 2min
S5E18 - GOD. by Kendrick Lamar
After receiving guidance from Cousin Carl on FEAR., Kung Fu Kenny expresses the joyous feeling of being filled with the spirit of GOD.Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 7, 2020 • 1h 4min
S5E17 - FEAR. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar
In part two of our analysis of FEAR., we come to understand how fear has been the primary motivating factor in Kung Fu Kenny’s life. Kenny consolidates the album’s major themes into one extremely dense final verse, which unlocks many of the album’s mysteries. Finally, we dissect Cousin Carl’s voicemail that explains the reasons behind Kenny’s tumultuous emotional journey over the course of DAMN.Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 30, 2019 • 57min
S5E16 - FEAR. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar
FEAR. is the pivotal track in the narrative of DAMN. We begin our two part analysis by dissecting the song’s virtuosic use of samples before digging into the appearance of Kendrick Lamar’s two real life cousins: Carl and Charles. Finally, we unpack the song’s first verse, which is rapped from the perspective of Kendrick’s mother.Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 24, 2019 • 57min
S5E15 - XXX. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar
In part two of our analysis of XXX., we discover the dramatic twist in the narrative of DAMN.Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


