Rolling Stone Music Now artwork

Rolling Stone Music Now

429 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 16 hours ago - ★★★★ - 875 ratings

Inside the biggest stories in music, hosted by Rolling Stone senior writer Brian Hiatt. Featuring interviews with top artists, expert insight on new releases and breaking news from the Rolling Stone staff, and much more.

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Episodes

Free Ed Sheeran! Songwriters Explain Why the 'Let's Get It On' Case Was a Near-Disaster

May 08, 2023 01:15 - 42 minutes

A panel of hit-makers explains how a verdict against Ed Sheeran could've ruined songwriting forever, with Jenna Andrews (who co-wrote BTS' "Butter"), Jamie Hartman (Backstreet Boys, Lewis Capaldi), and JHart (Justin Bieber, Usher) joining host Brian Hiatt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI and the Weird Future of Music

May 01, 2023 16:55 - 35 minutes

Is artificial intelligence about to change music forever? We look at what's already happening — and what's coming next. Grimes, for one, is allowing anyone to use AI models of her voice, and splitting royalties 50/50; her manager, Daouda Leonard, joins host Brian Hiatt to talk about their plans and the broader risks and possibilities of AI in music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Frank Ocean's Coachella Chaos

April 22, 2023 20:58 - 51 minutes

We take a deep look at Frank Ocean's controversial Coachella performance — as well as the odd discourse around it — and look back on his career, with Tomás Mier and Simon Vozick-Levinson joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fake Bands, Real Songs: The Best Tunes by Made-Up Musicians

April 19, 2023 16:32 - 1 hour

From Daisy Jones and the Six to the Oneders, we look at the best songs by fictional artists, with Alan Sepinwall joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Genius of Boygenius: How Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus Made Their New Album

April 05, 2023 20:52 - 49 minutes

We tell the story behind rock's most exciting supergroup — Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers — with a track-by-track look at their acclaimed new album. Angie Martoccio, who wrote Rolling Stone's cover story on the band, joins host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Genius of Boygenius: How Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus Are Saving Rock

April 05, 2023 20:52 - 49 minutes

We tell the story behind rock's most exciting supergroup — Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker, and Phoebe Bridgers — with a track-by-track look at their acclaimed new album. Angie Martoccio, who wrote Rolling Stone's cover story on the band, joins host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American Woman: Lana Del Rey's Wild Journey

March 26, 2023 23:47 - 55 minutes

We dive into Lana Del Rey's new album, 'Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd' — along with her whole discography and the controversies along the way, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour: The Ultimate Breakdown of Opening Night and Beyond

March 22, 2023 18:12 - 48 minutes

We dive deep on The Eras Tour, from song choices to staging to guesses at surprises to come and more. Waiss Aramesh, who covered opening night for Rolling Stone, joins Brittany Spanos and host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

'Hannah Montana' to 'Flowers': Miley Cyrus' Hits, Highs, and Lows,

March 13, 2023 22:48 - 1 hour

We discuss Miley Cyrus' new album 'Endless Summer Vacation,' including her smash 'Flowers' – and look back at her whole wild career path, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More Terrible Albums by Great Artists

March 10, 2023 23:09 - 1 hour

We look at the second half of our list of 'Genuinely Horrible Albums by Great Artists,' from Kanye West to David Bowie, with the list's author, Andy Greene, joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: Back Issue

March 09, 2023 23:40 - 4 minutes

This week we’re introducing something special: Back Issue from Pineapple Street Studios. Back Issue is BACK with a brand new season! Back Issue reminisces on moments in pop culture’s past that have shaped our present. Each episode brings personal reflection, incredible guests, and plenty of deep belly laughs. Host Josh Gwynn has invited some very special guest co-hosts to share their perspective on some of the most formative stories in pop culture. We start out with not just another hair stor...

Genuinely Horrible Albums by Great Artists

February 26, 2023 19:12 - 1 hour

From Prince to Neil Young to Madonna, we discuss – and argue about – Rolling Stone's picks for the worst albums by great artists, with the list's author, Andy Greene, joining host Brian Hiatt for the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rihanna's Halftime Show: Classic or Low-Energy? Plus: Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Defends the Grammys

February 19, 2023 23:39 - 1 hour

We look at criticism and praise for Rihanna's long-awaited performance comeback, with Mankaprr Conteh and Tomás Mier joining host Brian Hiatt. Plus: Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. responds to our Grammy critiques from last week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Can't Beyoncé Win Album of the Year? Breaking Down the 2023 Grammys

February 13, 2023 01:45 - 40 minutes

We discuss Grammy voters' repeated Beyoncé snubs, and break down the highs and lows of the 2023 Grammys, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Wildest Left-Turn Albums Ever, From Lil Yachty to Queen to Taylor Swift

February 06, 2023 20:29 - 1 hour

Lil Yachty's psychedelic-rock experiment 'Let's Start Here' isn't the first album to stun fans – we look back at the history of artists taking wild left turns, from Queen getting funky with 'Hot Space' to Taylor Swift shape-shifting on '1989' and much, much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Making of SZA's 'SOS'

January 29, 2023 19:52 - 1 hour

With 'SOS' in its sixth week at number one, we go deep into the making of an instant classic. SZA's collaborators – Rodney Jerkins, Rob Bisel, and Carter Lang – go track by track and tell all about the complex creative process behind the album. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Life and Music of David Crosby

January 28, 2023 15:00 - 1 hour

We look back at the chaotic life and gorgeous music of the late David Crosby – and hear unearthed interview audio – with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young biographer David Browne and Andy Greene joining host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More of the Best Music You Didn't Hear in 2022

January 23, 2023 13:27 - 1 hour

From hip-hop to indie-rock to Spanish-language music of many genres, here's a rundown of more of the greatest albums you may have missed in 2022, with Andre Gee, Julyssa Lopez, and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Life and Music of Jeff Beck

January 15, 2023 23:16 - 1 hour

We pay tribute to the late guitar god in a super-sized episode featuring a never-before-heard interview with Beck himself by Rolling Stone's Kory Grow, plus new conversations with Mike Campbell, Joe Satriani, and Vernon Reid – and an in-depth discussion of his career, with Andy Greene joining host Brian Hiatt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Best 2022 Music You Didn't Hear (Pt. 1)

January 09, 2023 22:28 - 1 hour

An in-depth look at some of the best songs and albums you may have missed in 2022, from country/Americana to Afropop to metal. Mankaprr Conteh, Kory Grow, and Joseph Hudak join host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Untold Story of 'A Long December' – Counting Crows' Adam Duritz Looks Back

December 24, 2022 14:52 - 59 minutes

Is "A Long December" a Christmas song? In a special holiday episode, Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz weighs in on that question, while going deeper than ever before on the making of e a seasonal classic, sharing his favorite holiday songs by other artists, and much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SZA Speaks! Inside Her New Album and Much More

December 18, 2022 19:51 - 33 minutes

SZA talks about the battles behind her triumphant, chart-topping new album 'SOS,' previews her tour, and much, much more in an interview conducted by host Brian Hiatt and Mankaprr Conteh. "I think this album was partially inspired by love lost, but mostly inspired by my departure from attempting to be a nice girl," SZA says. "I've tried to be a nice girl for so long, and it's just not who I am, inherently. I think I've done nice things and I am a kind person, but I'm not a nice girl. And that...

The 50 Best Albums of 2022

December 12, 2022 01:36 - 1 hour

From Taylor Swift to J. Hope, from Spoon to Beyoncé, we look at each of the 50 greatest albums of 2022, hitting genres from superstar pop and hip-hop to indie-rock, Afropop, reggaeton, reggae, R&B, and more. Andre Gee, Julyssa Lopez, Brittany Spanos, and Simon Vozick-Levinson join host Brian Hiatt for the discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History

December 03, 2022 21:29 - 1 hour

From Britney Spears turning down "Umbrella" to Garth Brooks deciding to become "Chris Gaines," we look at the worst and most ridiculous music blunders of all time, with Andy Greene joining host Brian Hiatt to discuss his list Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Beatles' 'Revolver': The Ultimate Breakdown

November 26, 2022 15:51 - 1 hour

Was 'Taxman' Inspired by the 'Batman' theme? Who or what was 'And Your Bird Can Sing' actually about? We dig into burning Beatles questions and go through every track on the new deluxe 'Revolver' reissue, with Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt for the deep-dive discussion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fat Joe Looks Back: "I Might've Been the First Lizzo!"

November 19, 2022 14:38 - 33 minutes

From his days as a teenage hustler in the Bronx to his endless string of comeback hits to his friendship with Big Pun, Fat Joe – who has a new autobiography, The Book of José, out now – looks back with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kathleen Hanna + Syd: Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – Special Series

November 17, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes

What happens when we take the writer away and ask two groundbreaking female artists from two different genres to interview each other? On the final episode of Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – also running as a special series in the Rolling Stone Music Now feed – Kathleen Hanna meets with Syd to talk about learning to sing, star signs, and what it means to be a rebel. Kathleen Hanna is a pioneer of the feminist punk movement, and she’s as active as ever, performing sold out shows acros...

Willow: The Rolling Stone Interview

November 16, 2022 14:45 - 45 minutes

"I'm just not a pop star. I love doing weird shit": Willow tells all about her new album, her love of System of a Down and Deftones, why she doesn't care about 'nepo baby' discourse, why she's not embarrassed by "Whip My Hair," and much more in an in-depth interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remembering Migos' Takeoff – and How TikTok is Rewriting Pop Hits

November 05, 2022 17:18 - 52 minutes

We look back at the life and career of Migos' Takeoff – and talk to Rufus Wainwright about his duet with Carly Rae Jepsen on the viral TikTok smash 'The Loneliest Time.' We play unheard interview audio with Takeoff while discussing his career with Andre Gee and Simon Vozick-Levinson, and also talk with Tomas Mier about how TikTok is essentially crowd-sourcing remixes of songs like Jepsen's. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Common + John Legend: Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – Special Series

November 03, 2022 21:56 - 31 minutes

What happens when we take the writer away and ask two old friends and Oscar-winning collaborators to dive into what drives their music and their words?   On the new episode of Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians, also running as a special series on the Rolling Stone Music Now feed, we hear Common and John Legend discuss the emotional nature of collaboration and how their shared activism has connected them forever.  In the past few years, John Legend has cemented his position as the king of...

RM + Pharrell Williams: Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – Special Series

November 01, 2022 12:00 - 33 minutes

What happens when we take the writer away and ask two pop phenoms, from two completely different places and generations, to interview each other? On today's episode of Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – also running as a special series here in the Rolling Stone Music Now feed – Pharrell Williams sits down with RM of BTS to talk about the price of fame, the keys to creativity, and why it's important to take a break every so often. RM went from underground rapper in South Korea to perform...

Rick Rubin + Finneas: Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – Special Series

October 31, 2022 13:00 - 48 minutes

What happens when we take away the writer and ask two groundbreaking producers, from two different generations, to interview each other?  On this episode of Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians, also running as a special series in the Rolling Stone Music Now feed, Rick Rubin and Finneas talk about how they work in the studio, their listening habits, and the frustrations and the joy involved in making great music.  Rick Rubin started Def Jam Records out of his NYU dorm room in the 1980s, and...

Cameron Crowe on 'Almost Famous: The Musical' and More

October 29, 2022 15:30 - 1 hour

Cameron Crowe tells all about making the new musical, the real-life rock stories behind it, the day Joni Mitchell came to see the show, why he's into the idea of making a movie in the MCU, and much more; plus Broadway veteran Tom Kitt digs into the making of the music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roger Daltrey + Yungblud: Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – Special Series

October 27, 2022 13:00 - 28 minutes

What happens when we take the writer away and ask two British rock stars, from two different generations, to interview each other? In today's episode of Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – also running as a special series on the Rolling Stone Music Now feed – Roger Daltrey and Yungblud join forces to talk fashion, optimal recording hours, and managing your image in a world gone mad. In the past few years, Yungblud has picked up the torch for a new kind of British rock: one informed by so...

Karen O + Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast): Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians – Special Series

October 24, 2022 22:08 - 36 minutes

What happens when we take the writer away and ask two great artists to interview each other the first time they meet in person? To kick off this year's Rolling Stone's Musicians on Musicians podcast – also running as a special series in the Rolling Stone Music Now feed – Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast come together to discuss their songwriting craft, growing up Korean-American, and the cathartic pleasures of smashing glass. In the past two years, Zaun...

Taylor Swift's 'Midnights': The Ultimate Breakdown

October 22, 2022 20:19 - 1 hour

We dive very, very deep on every aspect of every track on 'Midnights,' including the seven bonus tracks, with Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Return of Blink-182: UFOs, A Plane Crash, and Dick Jokes

October 15, 2022 15:58 - 47 minutes

We discuss the one-of-a-kind story of Blink-182, including their just-announced reunion with Tom DeLonge and their new single, with Andy Greene joining host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charlie Puth: The Rolling Stone Interview

October 08, 2022 12:57 - 56 minutes

Puth reveals the songwriting secrets behind his new album 'Charlie,' plus why he finds his early work corny, getting (allegedly) ghosted by Ellen's label, being pranked by Bieber, loving Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, and much more in a revealing interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roger Waters: A Contentious Political Discussion

October 04, 2022 13:22 - 1 hour

In an explosive, wide-ranging interview with investigative journalist James Ball, the Pink Floyd co-founder says he's on a "Ukrainian kill list," and discusses his controversial views on the conflict there — and Russia, and Wikileaks, and Israel, and so much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rise of 'Munch'/A New Look at Pearl Jam/Remembering Coolio

October 01, 2022 17:40 - 1 hour

In a packed episode, we look back at Coolio's career, with Rob Sheffield joining host Brian Hiatt; examine how Ice Spice's 'Munch (Feelin' U)' became the song of the summer, with Jeff Ihaza; and discuss the story of Pearl Jam with Steven Hyden, author of the new book 'Long Road: Pearl Jam and the Soundtrack of a Generation' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Harry Styles Made 'Harry's House' - Kid Harpoon on Bringing Guitars Back to the Charts

September 24, 2022 14:07 - 1 hour

Producer/songwriter Kid Harpoon, a.k.a. Tom Hull, goes deep on the making of Harry Styles' 'Harry's House,' Maggie Rogers' 'Surrender,' and much more in an interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Björk “Sonic Symbolism” Podcast

September 19, 2022 22:32 - 3 minutes

Join Björk in conversations with collaborators about her sound experiences. In the podcast you’ll learn about the moods, timbres, and tempos that vibrate through each album. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mariah Carey Tells All! Untold 'Butterfly' Tales, Her Biopic Series, New Music, and Much More

September 16, 2022 12:13 - 1 hour

In a very special episode, Mariah Carey joins host Brian Hiatt for an epic interview. Carey goes deep on the making of 'Butterfly' for its 25th anniversary, while also talking about everything from her lost, secret alt-rock album to the new music she's working on to Lee Daniels' plans for a biopic series based on her memoir – and much, much more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fall Out Boy Confidential: Joe Trohman on His Revealing New Memoir

September 10, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour

Fall Out Boy co-founder and lead guitarist Joe Trohman, author of the excellent new memoir 'None of This Rocks,' tells all about his life in the band and much more in a revealing interview with host Brian Hiatt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside David Bowie's Final Years – Plus, Nile Rodgers on Making 'Let's Dance'

August 27, 2022 00:47 - 50 minutes

With a new documentary, Moonage Daydream, on its way, we look back at how David Bowie made some of his greatest work just before his death - and Nile Rodgers tells the stories behind 'Let's Dance'  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Worst Songs of all Time

August 19, 2022 19:12 - 59 minutes

From "Blurred Lines" to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch," we look at some of the worst songs ever - while also questioning whether we can really be sure of "worst songs" in 2022, when the canon and our own tastes are in a constant state of reevaluation. Plus, a look at how pressure to go viral on TikTok may be creating bad songs, and why behavior at concerts is worse than ever post-pandemic. Tomás Mier, Brittany Spanos, and Rob Sheffield join host Brian Hiatt for the discussions. Learn more abo...

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance': The Controversies and Triumphs of a Blockbuster Album

August 12, 2022 20:58 - 53 minutes

Producer Hit-Boy discusses making "Thique" and much more. Plus, how does one song end up with 24 writers? And what are the consequences of changing albums after their release? Also, a discussion of the best songs on 'Renaissance' and its spiritual themes, with Mankaprr Conteh and Jeff Ihaza joining host Brian Hiatt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How Joni Mitchell Became a Millennial and Gen-Z Hero

August 05, 2022 18:06 - 59 minutes

We celebrate the work of Joni Mitchell, with Cameron Crowe discussing his legendary 1979 Mitchell interview, and guitarist Larry Carlton talking about playing with Mitchell on some of her greatest songs. Angie Martoccio takes us through the peaks of Mitchell's discography, and Jonathan Bernstein gives a first-hand account of her stunning Newport Folk Festival comeback performance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Beyoncé's Studio Secrets: Inside the Making of Her Best Songs

July 30, 2022 04:50 - 48 minutes

Legendary producers Rodney Jerkins and Scott Storch share behind-the-scenes tales of classic Beyoncé hits, from "Deja Vu" to "Baby Boy" to Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" and more. Plus, Mankaprr Conteh breaks down Rolling Stone's new list of Beyoncé's 70 best songs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The State of Justin Bieber's Career, Best Indie-Rock of 2022 So Far, and Wolfgang Van Halen Speaks Out

July 21, 2022 22:16 - 56 minutes

We run through the best indie albums of the year so far, look at the state of Justin Bieber's career, and play an excerpt of our new Wolfgang Van Halen interview. Brittany Spanos and Simon Vozick-Levinson join host Brian Hiatt for the discussions, which also touch on Kanye West's latest festival cancellation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guests

Bob Dylan
3 Episodes
Rob Sheffield
2 Episodes
Alicia Keys
1 Episode
Andrew Bird
1 Episode
Desmond Child
1 Episode
Elvis Costello
1 Episode
Pete Wentz
1 Episode
Rob Thomas
1 Episode

Books

The Secret History
5 Episodes