We are a group of friends from across the globe, and every week we discuss, review, and generally chat about the latest and greatest in music. Every Sunday we review two new albums, and every Tuesday we discuss a famous (or 'infamous') album in our Record Club series.
For this week's reviews we're setting our sights on two of the biggest double albums of recent memory, Cindy Lee's titanic and masterful Diamond Jubilee (Ryley's album of the year so far), and of course, Taylor Swift's divisive, maligned, but meticulous The Tortured Poets Department, which may be her most insular record yet. There's a lot to unpack with both, especially the latter, so we hope you'll join us to dive deep into these interesting albums and let us know your own takes in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Cindy Lee - Diamond Jubilee 36:23 Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology
A conversation about the pop culture event of the year so far.
For this week's video, we're breaking down 15 of our all-time favorite one-hit wonder songs; songs which were the sole hit to chart in the upper echelons of the Billboard Hot 100 for their artist, but which have left a lasting impression on pop culture, from their era of release to the present day. Some are more remembered than others, and you may find a few hot takes in our picks today, but let us know what you think of these songs, and what are your favorite one-hit wonders, in the comments on YouTube!
We're back after a short hiatus to review two critically acclaimed and much-discussed recent releases: the second instalment in Beyoncé's Renaissance trilogy, COWBOY CARTER, and Vampire Weekend's full-band return for the first time in over a decade with ONLY GOD WAS ABOVE US. Join us to hear what we think of these records, and let us know your own takes in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us 28:25 Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter
Today we catch up on a couple of major album releases from back in January with reviews of the new album from Green Day, SAVIORS, and the new album from Glass Beach, PLASTIC DEATH. We also discuss our predictions for the upcoming Oscars, a much-discussed new song from Ice Spice, and some more regrettable music from Tom MacDonald (with Ben Shapiro) and Lil Dicky. Let us know what you've been listening to in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Breaking Down the Oscar Nominees 17:12 Tom MacDonald & Ben Shapiro's FACTS 25:37 Lil Dicky Reaches His PENITH 35:56 (Fart) 42:54 Sunny Day Real Estate's New Song Is Phenomenal 48:05 Green Day - Saviors 59:49 Glass Beach - Plastic Death
There is a lot of great art to look forward to this year, and so today Morgan counts down his most anticipated games of 2024 before Jake and Ryley get into the records they're most excited to review - some confirmed, some still only rumored. Let us know what you're looking forward to this year! 0:00 Intro 1:00 Most Anticipated Games of 2024 - 1:36 HOLLOW KNIGHT SILKSONG WHEN - 4:29 Dragon's Dogma 2 - 5:49 Tekken 8 - 7:23 Avowed - 8:45 Persona 3 Reload - 9:48 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - 13:17 An Aside on Silent Hill 2 20:51 Most Anticipated Albums of 2024 - 21:27 MGMT - 24:20 Everything Everything - 26:04 Chelsea Wolfe - 29:59 Adrianne Lenker / Waxahatchee - 32:49 Casualties of Cool - 37:09 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - 40:23 Julia Holter - 46:54 Joanna Newsom 50:01 A Thank You to Our Listeners
After the conclusion of list season and a break, we're back to our regular programming with an update of some of January's biggest music news and releases. Join us as we discuss what Pitchfork being absolved into GQ means for music journalism, the importance of the music review, new singles from Ariana Grande, Lil Nas X, and Kim Gordon, and new albums from Kali Uchis, Kid Cudi, and Hoplites! Let us know what you've been listening to in the comments over on YouTube! 0:00 Intro 1:47 The Fall of Pitchfork 20:03 Is Ariana Grande Interesting? 26:59 What Is the Future for Lil Nas X? 34:16 Kim Gordon's Trap Metal Single Rules 39:11 Kali Uchis Returns with ORQUÍDEAS 43:45 The Return of Mid Cudi 52:06 The Chinese Death Metal Guy With the Greek Name Is Back With Another Masterpiece
List season kicks off with a countdown of 20 of the most overlooked albums we've fallen in love with throughout this year. Watch along to get some recommendations for great records you might not have heard, some from under the radar artists deserving of more shine, and some from established acts who are less in the conversation now but still putting out their best work. Let us know what you think are the most overlooked albums of 2023 over on YouTube! 0:00 Intro 1:56 Al Menne - Freak Accident 4:11 Kesha - Gag Order 7:45 Avenade - Our Raging God Unknown to Us 9:59 Blawan - Dismantled Into Juice 13:35 Christine and the Queens - Paranoia, Angels, True Love 16:35 The Go! Team - Get Up Sequences Part Two 18:46 Team Tremolo - Conjured Light 21:20 Mandy, Indiana - I've Seen a Way 25:23 Cicada - Seeking the Sources of Streams 28:14 Slaughter Beach, Dog - Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling 32:14 Soulkeeper - Holy Design 34:48 Screaming Females - Desire Pathway 40:32 TDK - Nemesta 45:31 Fireworks - Higher Lonely Power 50:10 Ruston Kelly - The Weakness 53:28 James Ivy - Everything Perfect 56:43 Hoplites - Trilogy (Ψευδομένη, Τρωθησομένη, Ἀντιτιμωρουμένη) 1:02:30 Empty Country - Empty Country II 1:10:47 Lauren Auder - The Infinite Spine 1:15:25 The Clientele - I Am Not There Anymore 1:20:47 Outro
Today we have our last pair of full album reviews for the year, and they're both brilliant: Peter Gabriel's long-awaited and ambitiously rolled-out return with the conceptual, massive, and multi-mixed i/o, and atmospheric black metal act Panopticon's return with the hellish and soaring THE RIME OF MEMORY. Let us know what you thought of either of these albums in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Panopticon - The Rime of Memory 26:44 Peter Gabriel - i/o
We're back with a fresh report on some of the latest music releases including big albums from André 3000 and Danny Brown, a brilliant collaborative single from Björk & Rosalía, and new songs from Beyoncé and Dua Lipa. We also pay tribute to the late Geordie Walker with a discussion of Killing Joke's impressive longevity, and shout out some unexpected covers from spiritual jazz-inflected metal band Imperial Triumphant. Let us know what you've been listening to in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 André 3000 - New Blue Sun 11:17 Björk and Rosalía Team Up for Oral 14:04 How Good Is Dua Lipa, Really? 19:52 Beyoncé Is Playing at My House, "MY HOUSE" 24:19 RIP Geordie Walker of Killing Joke 32:04 Imperial Triumphant's Unconventional New Covers 37:55 Danny Brown - Quaranta
For Record Club this week, Jake, Morgan, and Ryley are joined by regular guest Connor to discuss pop-punk stalwarts Blink-182's classic and beloved self-titled album, why it represented a pivotal shift for the band, and ultimately the endpoint of their creative evolution. We debate the merits of I Miss You at length and discuss how the band's desire to be taken seriously prompted many of the record's gestures toward "maturity", and the question of aging gracefully in a scene so defined by youthful angst. Let us know what you think of this album in the comments on YouTube!
We are back for Thanksgiving weekend giving thanks to one of hip-hop's most renowned and astonishing wordsmiths, the incomparable Aesop Rock, whose depth extends far beyond the reductive laurels of 'rap's densest wordsmith' to showcase a storytelling skill and an effervescent, irresistible personality that makes him one of the most lovable rappers working today. He has a long and storied career though, and with his latest album he comes to term with how being a career artist has shaped the way he interacts with the world - is art, like technology, just another thing getting between us and the real world, or is it a pathway to a greater appreciation? Join us as we break down Aes's latest masterwork, and let us know what you think in the comments on YouTube! We also have quick reviews of a few new albums as well - tell us what you'd like us to talk about! 0:00 PinkPantheress - Heaven Knows 5:09 Lamp - Dusk to Dawn 10:39 Hotline TNT - Cartwheel 13:10 Kevin Abstract - Blanket 19:35 Club Ruby - Was God Birthed?! 21:51 Aesop Rock - Integrated Tech Solutions
With the advent of the latest Taylor's Version release encompassing her biggest-selling record and commercial zenith 1989, Jake and Ryley are joined by resident Swiftie Rhiannon to break down one of the pop juggernauts of the 2010s, and the album that made Taylor Swift utterly inescapable. But how does it hold up? Why was it so successful? What makes it so different from her other records, and how does it scan now nearly a decade on? Join us as we dive deep into this remarkable album and pick apart everything that makes it what it is - including the things that don't work! Let us know what you think of 1989 in the comments on YouTube! How do you feel the re-release holds up? Is it your favourite Taylor Swift album? Drop your thoughts, rankings, whatever you feel down below and let's continue the conversation! 0:00 Intro 12:10 Comparing the Versions 19:24 Welcome to New York / Blank Space 28:09 Style 37:04 Out of the Woods / (Stay!) 48:02 Shake It Off 58:24 Bad Blood 1:13:02 Wildest Dreams 1:20:16 HYGTG / This Love 1:29:57 I Know Places 1:35:48 Clean 1:41:56 The Bonus Tracks 1:47:06 The Vault Tracks
This week we're back with a run-down of some of the most interesting and exciting music of recent weeks - first off we talk about the much-discussed "final song" from The Beatles, Now and Then, along with its bizarre music video. We go deep on King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's pivot into progressive electronica with the dazzling THE SILVER CORD, Ryley recaps the masterful new record from The Mountain Goats, JENNY FROM THEBES, Morgan discusses two of the biggest games of the year in Spider-Man 2 and Alan Wake 2, as well as new releases from The Gaslight Anthem, Koyo, and more! Let us know what you've been listening to, and what you think of any of the things we discussed today, in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 The Beatles are Back! 18:33 The Return of MGMT 22:24 Is The Silver Cord King Gizzard's Best Album Yet? 42:53 The Gaslight Anthem Return with History Books 48:00 The Underrated Hardcore Pop Punk of Koyo 49:36 An Important Message of Support 51:26 Ryley Reviews 'The Talos Principle 2' 53:50 Morgan Reviews 'Marvel's Spider Man 2' 59:06 Morgan Reviews 'Alan Wake 2' 1:07:21 Jenny From Thebes is a Mountain Goats Milestone
We're back with two fresh new album breakdowns today, and the star of the show is the Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter, formerly known as Lingua Ignota, whose new album SAVED! is a fascinating and discomforting exploration of the tradition of the Christian hymnal, and a perfect playground for Hayter's continued explorations of the suffering and salvation that faith can bring. We also talk about a brilliant modern R&B masterclass from producer and songwriter Sampha, whose long-awaited follow-up to 2017's brilliant PROCESS is finally here in the form of LAHAI, an unencumbered and vibrant record of pulsing electronic bliss. Let us know what you think of either of these albums in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Sampha - Lahai 29:55 The Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter - SAVED!
Today Jake and Ryley are back to break down some notable new music releases including new singles from Everything Everything, Chelsea Wolfe, and Danny Brown, plus full albums from Jane Remover and The Menzingers (the latter with Morgan!), an update from Ryley on our long-running struggle with IDLES as they gear up to release a new album, the 10th anniversary of Sky Ferreira's Night Time My Time, and a full in-depth review of Martin Scorsese's new film Killers of the Flower Moon! 0:00 Everything Everything Are Back! 4:31 The Return of Chelsea Wolfe 7:56 Danny Brown's Quaranta Finally Has a Release Date 10:22 The Problem with IDLES in 2023 (Ryley's Rant) 20:22 The Oppressive Gloom of Jane Remover: Census Designated 32:56 The Menzingers Return with 'Some of It Was True' 47:20 Great Albums Turning 20 49:55 Sky Ferreira's Night Time My Time Turns 10 57:57 Killers of the Flower Moon - Review
Today Jake and Ryley are once again powering through some short(er)-form reviews of recent releases that deserve your time, but that we haven't been able to dedicate a full video towards. Join us as we dig into Oneohtrix Point Never's confounding but intriguing AGAIN, Animal Collective's full-on jam band evolution with ISN'T IT NOW, Yeule's shoegaze evolution with SOFTSCARS, and plenty more! Let us know what you think of these albums, and what you've been listening to, in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Yeule - Softscars 17:23 Earl Sweatshirt & the Alchemist - Voir Dire 33:07 Animal Collective - Isn't It Now? 49:20 Oneohtrix Point Never - Again 1:08:16 Code Orange - The Above 1:20:32 Armand Hammer - We Buy Diabetic Test Strips
Steven Wilson's long-awaited opus THE HARMONY CODEX is finally here, and we're delighted to say it's completely confounded our expectations in the best way possible - join us as we break down what makes the record so unique and satisfying, how it compares to Steven's previous albums, and where it fits in the canon of one of the most celebrated minds in progressive music. Let us know what you think of THE HARMONY CODEX in the comments on YouTube!
After a week off, we're back to finally tackle the surprise-announced second album of 2023 from indie rock stalwarts and channel favorites The National, who have surged back to our good books with a stellar return-to-form in LAUGH TRACK - but what makes it so much more satisfying than FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN, and why do the two albums exist in the first place? Join us as we go deep, while also carving out space to rave about the stellar new album from Mitski, THE LAND IS INHOSPITABLE AND SO ARE WE, one of Ryley's top contenders for album of the year! Let us know what you think of either of these records in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Mitski - The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We 38:54 The National - Laugh Track
For this week's Record Club, we're breaking down an album very near and dear to us, emo pioneers Sunny Day Real Estate's self-reinventing foray into alt and progressive rock, HOW IT FEELS TO BE SOMETHING ON. Join us as we trace how the band evolved from the days of their beloved genre staple DIARY to the radical departure of this record, how it grapples with growing up and shedding your angst, and why it's their best album.
One of the biggest popstars of the decade so far, Olivia Rodrigo, has returned with her dynamic, fun, and emotional sophomore record GUTS, one of the year's most expressive major releases, and we're excited to finally dig into it properly, exploring everything that makes Olivia one of the most celebrated artists of the moment, and why this is such a satisfying step-up from the promise of her debut. Jake and Ryley also talk about a very different and altogether more avant-garde release from Los Angeles hardcore band Sprain, whose epic 98-minute opus THE LAMB AS EFFIGY has taken music nerds by storm - but what's it really all about? Let us know what you think of either of these albums in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Sprain - The Lamb as Effigy 22:01 Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS
Today Jake and Ryley are repeating a trick they tried back in June and powering through a list of interesting records that we haven't had the chance to review properly over the last couple of months. Join us as we dig into exceptional new albums from Genesis Owusu, Ratboys, and The Clientele, as well as more divisive but equally worth your time efforts from Hozier, Geese, and The Armed. Let us know what you think of any of these albums, and whether you think we got it right, in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 The Clientele - I Am Not There Anymore 11:09 Geese - 3D Country 20:39 The Armed - Perfect Saviors 34:31 Genesis Owusu - Struggler 52:31 Hozier - Unreal Unearth 1:06:41 Ratboys - The Window
In this week's episode of Jams & Tea NOW, we break down a new album from legacy punk veteran Jeff Rosenstock, HELLMODE, as well as the challenge of the aging punk rocker in the 2020s, and the fallout of his decision to reveal just how much of a cut major venues take out of his merch earnings. We also talk the pretty but understated new record from Slowdive, EVERYTHING IS ALIVE, as well as the new Rolling Stones single ANGRY and a number of albums we love celebrating momentous anniversaries this month. To cap it all off, we veer away from the music world to talk about the heavily hyped new games Starfield and Baldur's Gate 3, and resident gaming expert Morgan delivers the verdict on whether they live up to expectation. Let us know what you've been listening to (and playing!) in the comments over on YouTube! 0:00 Intro / 10,000 Subscribers! 4:52 Jeff Rosenstock: HELLMODE 21:43 Jeff Rosenstock vs. Venue Merch Cuts 30:22 Arctic Monkeys' AM Turns 10 37:41 Three Great Albums Turning 20 This Month 42:27 The Rolling Stones Are Back! 49:49 Morgan Reviews STARFIELD 1:01:29 Morgan Reviews BALDUR'S GATE 3 1:10:02 Slowdive: EVERYTHING IS ALIVE
For this week's Record Club we are, somehow for the first time ever, talking about progressive rock legends and channel favourites Rush, as we zero in on the underrated and fraught but surprisingly beautiful 2002 album VAPOR TRAILS (specifically its 2013 remixed version), which saw the band emerging like a phoenix from the ashes of a great tragedy and their toughest hardship yet. Join us as we discuss this remarkable album and pay tribute to the late great Neil Peart. Let us know what you think of Vapor Trails in the comments on YouTube!
We're back this week with another catchup on the latest in new music and music news with reviews of exciting and heavily-anticipated albums from country music rising star Zach Bryan and heartfelt pop-punk luminaries Spanish Love Songs, both of which prove a little more divisive than expected... plus, Jake talks the new record from trap pop star Ashniiko, the gang discuss the trend of AI-assisted cartoon character covers of popular metal songs, and Eminem's beef with Republican presidential wannabe Vivek Ramaswamy. 0:00 The Zach Bryan Phenomenon 17:36 Vivek vs Eminem: The Latest Politician-Artist Beef 28:47 Spongebob AI Covers of Popular Songs 34:24 RIP Brian McBride of Stars of the Lid 37:39 Ryley Gets Into NoMeansNo 42:00 Jake and the Regrettable Trap Pop of Ashniiko 49:51 Spanish Love Songs - No Joy
For this week's Record Club, Jake, Morgan, and Ryley are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the release of tech death wizards Gorguts' masterpiece COLORED SANDS. Though widely celebrated for the alienating brutality of 1998's OBSCURA, Canadian metal legends Gorguts have released many brilliant albums, though perhaps none more conceptually and musically accomplished than their fifth and most recent LP, which delves into the band's fascination with Tibetan Buddhist faith and the Chinese invasion of 1950. Join us for an appreciation of the record's immensely impressive sound and style, and let us know what it means to you, what you think of Gorguts, and which technical death metal records you consider the best!
What makes an album 'overrated'? Join us as we discuss some of the biggest albums of 2013, celebrating 10 years of life and *discourse* this year, that we think don't quite live up to the hype. We dive deep - and sometimes disagree! - on big albums from Arcade Fire, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Kanye, and more in this deep dive dissection of one of the biggest years for music in recent memory. Let us know what you think of our picks, and what you believe the most overrated albums of 2013 are, in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 What Does "Overrated" Mean? 4:03 Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience 15:42 Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap 22:31 Drake - Nothing Was the Same 34:54 Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City 44:34 Kanye West - Yeezus 55:03 Arcade Fire - Reflektor
After a week off, we're back to talk about exciting new music from podcast favorites The National, the controversy surrounding Noname's long-awaited new album Sundial, our excitement for the potential of Olivia Rodrigo's upcoming album Guts, the future of K-Pop with NewJeans, and other great new albums you might not have heard from Lauren Auder, Hail the Sun, Johnny Booth, and more! Let us know what you've been listening to, and what you think of these artists, in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 New Songs from The National / New Album? 9:10 In Memoriam: Gary Young 11:44 Why We're Excited for the New Olivia Rodrigo Album 18:55 Celebrating 10 Years of CHVRCHES 23:58 NewJeans Are the K-Pop Band to Watch 27:55 Hail the Sun and the Sound of "Swancore" 32:20 Johnny Booth Have the Metalcore Sound of the Summer 37:49 Lauren Auder's The Infinite Spine Is An Art Pop Opus 44:43 Autechre's New Live "Album" Is A Lot of Autechre 47:57 Noname - Sundial
For this week's Record Club, Jake and Ryley are telling a tale of two piano men: Elton John and Billy Joel, once brothers in arms as symbols of songwriting excellence with enduring appeal and distinct backgrounds from both sides of the Atlantic. Both are beloved artists with rich legacies, but today we look at one record from each of them as a capsule of their greatness and their carefully crafted personas: for Elton, we look at 1972's Honky Chateau, and for Billy, we look at 1977's The Stranger. Let us know what Elton and Billy mean to you, what you think of these records in particular, and which of the two resonates the most with what you love in music. We want to hear from you in the comments on YouTube so we can keep the conversation going!
This week Jake and Ryley are taking on two big hitter new releases that music fans online have been raving about: George Clanton's expansive and rich psych-pop opus OOH RAP I YA, and Travis Scott's booming and declarative UTOPIA - but how do these heavily anticipated records hold up to the hype? Let us know what you think in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 George Clanton - Ooh Rap I Ya 19:14 Travis Scott - Utopia
We're back with another streamlined episode of Jams & Tea NOW talking about the latest in new music and music news! This week we have a lot of fun dissecting the latest viral TikTok crossover, Planet of the Bass, a hilarious and endearing Eurodance parody that begs the question of whether the kitschiest genre of the 90s is having a comeback? We also talk Lizzo's abrupt and surprising cancellation, the resurgence of two long-absent shoegaze greats, the state of popular music with the charts dominated by country, the dancefloor-filling stunner that is the new Carly Rae Jepsen album THE LOVELIEST TIME, and much more! 0:00 Planet of the Bass & the Return of Eurodance? 9:54 The Cancellation of Lizzo 21:42 Home Is Where Shouted Us Out! 24:17 Shoegaze Comebacks from Drop 19s and Candy Claws 29:00 Is Country The Biggest Genre Now? 34:00 Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loveliest Time 48:07 Jake Rants About Greta van Fleet 56:19 Jams & Tea Recommends: Maximum the Hormone
This week's discussion topic is the most underrated albums of 2013 - records turning 10 this year that we think deserve more love, should be revisited, or otherwise just get too much disrespect! Let us know what you think of our picks, and hit us up in the comments on YouTube with what you think is the most underrated album celebrating a decade this year!
Today we're tweaking the format slightly for a slimmed down video focusing on the latest new releases, single drops, and music discussion points that have caught our eye! Join us as we discuss the immensely heavy new EP from metalcore supergroup Better Lovers, Big Thief's new single Vampire Empire and the state of indie rock stan culture, new songs from The Gaslight Anthem and Code Orange (featuring Billy Corgan?!), and a clinical deep-dive into the abysmal new album from Owl City. Plus, Jake offers a positive take on the new Barbie movie. Stick around for this week's discussion topic, which will be on underrated albums of 2013, in a day or two from now! 0:00 Ryley's Intro / New Format Change 2:35 2023 Quiz Results & Winner's "Prize" 6:09 The New Better Lovers EP Is Incredible! 16:11 New EPs from Anberlin and Yellowcard 18:42 The New Gaslight Anthem Singles Are... 23:33 Big Thief's Vampire Empire & Indie Rock Stan Culture 37:11 Code Orange Are Delivering Nu-Metal Excellence 41:39 Owl City's New Album Is a Disaster 58:29 Jake Reviews Barbie
For this week's new release reviews, Jake and Ryley are excited to break down the abstract and poetic new album from PJ Harvey, I INSIDE THE OLD YEAR DYING, and the soulful and cathartic return of Anohni with MY BACK WAS A BRIDGE FOR YOU TO CROSS. These are the first albums from both artists since 2016; join us to see how their comebacks hold up, and which of the two is one of the year's most essential releases. 0:00 PJ Harvey - I Inside the Old Year Dying 31:44 Anohni & the Johnsons - My Back Was a Bridge For You to Cross
For this week's Record Club, we're celebrating a classic of sophisti-pop, with Scottish legends The Blue Nile's immortal 1989 masterpiece HATS. Join us as we break down what makes this minimal but deeply emotional pop record so affecting, timeless, and appealing over three decades later.
For this week's new release reviews, AdequateEmily joins us again to talk about the folk-tinged heartland emo of Home Is Where with their emotionally crushing new record THE WHALER, and post-rock stalwarts SWANS with their mortality-obsessed THE BEGGAR, the latest of many multi-hour opuses. But how do these records hold up to their hype? It's fair to say we're more taken with one than the other, but we want to hear what you think too. Continue the conversation in the comments on YouTube - let us know your thoughts! 0:00 Home Is Where - The Whaler 29:03 Swans - The Beggar
For this week's NOW episode we're joined by friend of the channel AdequateEmily for an unconventional twist on the format. Today, in addition to recapping new and interesting releases, we're commenting on Rolling Stone's bizarre and somewhat baffling list of the most inspirational LGBTQ songs of all time for pride month. We also talk new albums from Queens of the Stone Age, Killer Mike, Sigur Ros, and exceptional new singles from The Smile, Slowdive, Animal Collective, and more! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:44 Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman 6:30 Killer Mike - Michael 9:09 Sigur Ros - ATTA 11:31 The Smile's New Song Is Phenomenal 14:26 Slowdive Are Back! 18:23 Ryley's New Recs: AnCo, Sampha, The Armed, Ratboys 27:02 RIP PC Music 29:42 August's Corner: Breaking Benjamin & Night Tapes 35:39 TobyMac's EDM Album 40:29 DJ Khaled Reads Drake's Poetry Book 45:08 Rolling Stone's Most Inspirational LGBTQ Songs
Loved and loathed by many, Sacramento-based Deafheaven's 2013 album Sunbather was a landmark in the crossover of extreme metal into the wider musical consciousness, a bold and declarative fusion of black metal and shoegaze that birthed dozens of bands and inspired years of passionate discourse. Now, a full decade on, we're excited to talk through the album in full, breaking down its significance, its sound, its themes, and its impact on a personal and cultural level. What is it about Sunbather that animates and excites so many people, even today? Let us know what the album means to you in the comments on YouTube.
Today we have two fresh new reviews for you all: first up is a celebration of Janelle Monae's delightful, low-stakes embrace of all things euphoric in THE AGE OF PLEASURE, but the main attraction this week is the extraordinary new record from Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, the stunning WEATHERVANES. Join us as we unpack how one of the artists that means the most to us has crafted one of his finest works ever, and the current frontrunner for our collective album of the year. Let us know what you think of either of these albums in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Janelle Monae - The Age of Pleasure 33:25 Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Weathervanes
After taking a week off, we have a jam-packed NOW episode this weekend that lets us catch up on some great recent releases that should be on your radar, including the newest albums from Kings Gizzard and Krule, Christine and the Queens, and Youth Lagoon, as well as video game hype for Diablo IV, Final Fantasy XVI, and the recently announced Persona 3 remake. We also have reviews of Across the Spider-Verse and The Idol, before our main topic of discussion this week: the most disappointing reunion albums of all time! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:28 King Gizzard's New Album Is Fantastic 8:16 Ryley Learns to Appreciate King Krule 12:21 Christine and the Queens' Epic New Opus 21:14 The Comeback of Youth Lagoon 31:00 Diablo IV Hype 33:55 Final Fantasy XVI Hype 39:50 Persona 3 Remake Hype 43:19 Raving About Across the Spider-Verse 50:49 Ranting About The Idol 1:04:02 The Worst Ever Reunion Albums
For our latest duo of new release reviews, we're excited to be talking about the emotionally heavy and raw new record from Foo Fighters, BUT HERE WE ARE - their first following the tragic death of Taylor Hawkins. We also discuss the return of legendary Detroit post-punk act Protomartyr with their stellar new album FORMAL GROWTH IN THE DESERT. These are two intense, at points draining, but extremely satisfying records from established bands that we're extremely excited to be covering yet again. Let us know what you think of these albums in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Foo Fighters - But Here We Are 33:08 Protomartyr - Formal Growth In the Desert
For the first of a duo of Record Clubs covering seminal albums released on June 11, 2013, we're delighted to finally get to talk in depth about the most beloved album from an artist who has defined our friendship and connection through music: Jason Isbell. As his magnum opus Southeastern celebrates a decade, we break down everything that makes the album resonant and affecting, as well as Jason's craft more broadly. Stick around for our review of Isbell's new album Weathervanes next week! Let us know what Southeastern means to you in the comments on YouTube.
For this week's episode of Jams & Tea NOW, Jake and Ryley are breaking down their favorite comeback albums of all time - albums that defied expectations by returning an artist to the pinnacle of their greatness after a period of decline. We also discuss the nature of the remix in the streaming era, the perpetual tease of an Oasis reunion, new releases from The Dare and The Lemon Twigs, Jake's newfound obsession with Belle and Sebastian, and more! Let us know your favorite comeback albums in the comments on YouTube! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:42 The Beyonce & Kendrick Lamar Remix 6:32 The Taylor Swift & Ice Spice Remix 15:12 R.I.P. Tina Turner 18:08 Are Oasis Finally Reuniting? 28:05 Jake Shouts Out The Lemon Twigs 32:25 Ryley Reviews The Dare's Controversial New EP 39:38 Commenter Recommendation: The White Noise 45:42 Jake Gets Into Belle and Sebastian 57:36 The Greatest Comeback Albums Ever
It's Fashionably Late by Falling In Reverse. This is the album that broke us. Watch on YouTube.
For this week's episode of Jams & Tea NOW, we're counting down the ultimate final statements in music, albums that came just before a band broke up or an artist died, that are imbued with the heft or weight of that impending loss. We also pay tribute to the late, great Andy Rourke, discuss Blur's excellent new single, give our thoughts on the gargantuan new Legend of Zelda game, talk about essential new releases from the world of black metal and pop punk, and much more! Let us know your favorite "final" albums in the comments on YouTube! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:28 The New Blur Single Is Fantastic 6:09 New Album Announcements: Genesis Owusu 7:37 New Album Announcements: Spanish Love Songs 9:45 New Album Announcements: Roisin Murphy 11:18 The New King Gizzard Single Is Goofy As Hell 15:41 Ghost Covers Genesis and Tina Turner On Their New EP 19:30 In Memoriam: Andy Rourke 24:29 Ryley Remembers Modern Vampires of the City 31:24 Jake's Metal Recs: Hoplites, Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean 41:29 Hot Mulligan's Exceptional New Album Is Worth Hearing 45:48 Morgan Gets Into Rina Sawayama 47:01 More Thoughts on Tears of the Kingdom 52:48 Succession and Barry Are Ruining Lives 57:31 Our Favorite "Final" Albums
For our latest Record Club, we're celebrating the 10th anniversary of Daft Punk's legendary opus Random Access Memories. Jake approaches it with fresh ears while Ryley reflects on how the album plays now versus then, as an epic celebration of the history of popular music and electronica, and ultimately the band's final curtain call. What does this album mean to you? How do you think it holds up? Let us know in the comments on YouTube!
For this week's NOW episode, we're discussing our favorite compilation albums of all time, and what makes a good compilation album in the first place. Plus, we also dig into Jake's recent trip to see Taylor Swift live in Nashville, Machine Gun Kelly's latest effort at manufacturing beef, Animal Collective's unlikely Fleetwood Mac cover, why Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is the best Marvel movie, and Ryley's first impressions of the new Zelda game Tears of the Kingdom! Let us know your favorite compilation albums in the comments on YouTube! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:33 Machine Gun Kelly Tries to Manufacture Another Beef 7:03 David Letterman Is a Huge Fan of The National 8:34 Animal Collective Covered Fleetwood Mac? 14:25 Album Announcements: Janelle Monae, QOTSA, King Gizzard 19:20 Taylor Swift In Nashville: Concert Review 29:33 The National Live Bootleg Review 34:11 The Band That Fuse Metalcore and Breakcore: Fromjoy 37:14 Why Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Is the Best Marvel Movie 52:57 Tears of the Kingdom: First Impressions 1:00:50 Our Favorite Compilation Albums
For this week's new release reviews, we're excited to extol the virtues of Billy Woods' latest and leanest masterpiece, the colorful but grim MAPS, an eclectic but surprisingly accessible journey through the trials of being an artist on the road. We also review Ed Sheeran's latest effort, an inert slog of shallow and uninspired balladry that limps across the anodyne synthetics of Aaron Dessner's production. It's been a weird week. Let us know what you think of either of these albums in the comments on YouTube! 0:00 Ed Sheeran - Minus 38:06 Billy Woods & Kenny Segal - Maps
On this week's episode of Jams & Tea NOW, we're excited to break down some of our absolute favorite songs that never made it to a studio album. We also review the new Indigo De Souza album, ALL OF THIS WILL END, talk all things Smashing Pumpkins with the release of their new triple-album ATUM, break down Ed Sheeran's copyright trial, Shaq's nu-metal song, Smokey Robinson's GASM-inducing new album, and much more! Let us know your favorite non-album singles or B-sides in the comments over on YouTube! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:27 Ed Sheeran vs The Gaye Estate 9:32 Timbaland Deepfakes Biggie 13:31 Shaq Made a Nu-Metal Song 20:40 Billy Corgan Analyses Yeat 27:45 Does Taylor Swift Is Dating Matty Healy 34:10 Smashing Pumpkins' New Triple Album Is Finally Here 43:11 Jake Gets Into Janet Jackson 49:05 The Lush Electronic Folk of Rei Harakami 51:41 Smokey Robinson Gives Ryley GASMS 56:28 Indigo De Souza Tells Us All of This Will End [Album Review] 1:09:42 Our Favorite Songs NOT On An Album
For this week's new release reviews, Jake, Morgan, and Ryley are finally tackling the latest album from The National, the long-awaited FIRST TWO PAGES OF FRANKENSTEIN - how will it hold up, having recently finished an entire retrospective series on their discography? We also have an energetic review of Jessie Ware's latest dancefloor opus THAT! FEELS GOOD!, which allows Jake to reckon with the legacy of his infamously negative reaction to her previous album - will the new one convert him? Listen along to find out our takes, and let us know what you think of these albums in the comments over on YouTube! 0:00 Jessie Ware - That! Feels Good! 32:02 The National - First Two Pages of Frankenstein Check out our full The National Retrospective playlist here.
For this week's episode of Jams & Tea NOW, Jake and Ryley are discussing their favorite songs on the shorter side, with five picks each that run under two minutes long - how can such a brief track deliver so much power, and what did they choose? Also up for discussion today is Jack Harlow's reinvention with the brief but pointed JACKMAN, plus new singles from PJ Harvey and Say Anything, the debut song of the brand new band fronted by XTC's Andy Partridge, Jake's metal recommendations, plus classic album discussions of Sufjan Stevens' The Age of Adz and Wilco's Summerteeth! Let us know your favorite songs under two minutes long in the comments over on YouTube! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:46 New Singles: PJ Harvey, Andy Partridge, Say Anything, Home Is Where 12:47 Twenty One Pilots Reimagine Their Songs for MTV Unplugged 19:11 Great New EPs from Beach House and sonhos tomam conta 27:37 Jake's Metal Recs: Bell Witch & TDK 37:19 Jack Harlow Is Back: Jackman Review 53:11 Jake Listens to Sufjan Stevens' The Age of Adz 1:04:47 Jake Listens to Wilco's Summerteeth 1:10:30 The Drones Are Ryley's New Obsession 1:16:27 Our Favorite Songs Under 2 Minutes