Listening! (…2 Britney)
Her technique was pure artistry, no “Oops” about it
How Bollywood strings, surf guitar, and Britney’s ethereal vocals add up to pop perfection
THE 5TH
Exploring Beethoven’s iconic symphony with the New York Philharmonic
When we listen closely to the Fifth, we hear that's it more than a museum piece, it’s a living testament to self-expression and determination.
Before Beethoven’s time, classical music culture looked and sounded quite different. In episode III we explore how Beethoven’s symphony was used to generate the strict culture of classical music — and the politics that undergird those norms of behavior.
In movements II , III and IV, Beethoven keeps trying to overcome his dark fate with bright major melodies, and keeps getting defeated.
The first four notes of the piece are more than a modern meme, they’re the main character in a drama life and death.
ANTHEMS
How sport’s biggest songs bring us together
Cultural critic Ivie Ani breaks down how Missy Elliott broke into the pantheon of anthems, and how she changed the scope of who could belong.
How “All Star” became an anthem played in sports arenas, soundtracked by Hollywood, and embedded into seemingly every internet meme.
n 1995, ESPN launched Jock Jams Volume 1, a compilation record that would define the sound of sports for the next quarter century.
Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles’ album “Something To Say” makes you want to get up and dance as much as it makes you want to take action.
Modern Classics
Overlooked songs that demand revisiting
“I realized that Classic Soul can exist with everything and somehow not lose its potency.”
“They're all these little secrets and surprises that pop up...it's like bespoke, maximalist, power pop.”
Summer Hits
The best songs of summer
“The things that pull me to write are when I feel something that scares me or fills me with joy or mystery.”
Festivals
After a year trapped inside without live shows
What we can learn from one of the most controversial, and most misunderstood, music festivals
