WorkTape

On WorkTape this week, we rewind 40 years to 1985 and the albums that blurred the line between mainstream pop and underground edge. From Tears for Fears’ Songs from the Big Chair and its flawless production to Simple Minds’ massive movie-tied single, we explore how some albums defined careers while others unfairly pigeonholed bands. Along the way, we dig into A-ha’s underrated debut, The Smiths’ t...

This week on WorkTape, we close out our retrospective journey through 1975 with a speed run of the records that slipped through the cracks. From Rufus and Chaka Khan’s soul power to Patti Smith’s punk poetry, Bob Marley’s live fire to Roxy Music’s art-rock sheen, this final sweep shows just how eclectic the year really was. Join us as we round out 50 years of classic albums. 🎧 Episode Highlights:...

This week on WorkTape, we keep our 1975 retrospective rolling — shifting from rock landmarks to the soulful, funky, and sometimes divisive sounds of the year. From Dylan’s honesty to the Isley Brothers’ heat, Earth, Wind & Fire’s spark to Funkadelic’s space-funk vision, ’75 proved music could be both deeply personal and wildly experimental. With disco rising, funk thriving, and icons reinventi...

This week on WorkTape, we keep our retrospective series rolling with a look back at 1975 — a year packed with landmark albums now turning 50. From Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti and Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here to Queen’s A Night at the Opera and Bowie’s soul-infused Young Americans , it was a year where rock pushed boundaries and reinvented itself. We also highlight Rush’s criminally underra...

This week on WorkTape, we open our routinely series on album anniversaries by the decade, starting with a retrospective journey back to 1965: a whole 60 years ago! From the debut of The Wailers in their ska era to The Byrds’ folk-rock beginnings, and Bob Dylan’s electric era to Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas staple, we’re reminded just how wide-ranging and timeless 1965 truly was. Press play to step b...

From Ozzy to Coldplay, we’ve had no shortage of legends lately, and this week on WorkTape, we finally give flowers to the late Chuck Mangione. Known best for “Feels So Good,” Mangione’s rise proved that a horn-led instrumental could dominate the charts and leave an undeniable mark on fusion jazz. We get into how both purists and mainstream listeners alike recieved his sound, his influence on later...

From viral moments at Coldplay concerts to surprise drops and rock legends, this week’s WorkTape has no shortage of twists. We unpack the now-infamous CEO caught at a Coldplay show — why it became a meme, how Chris Martin accidentally played into it, and whether Coldplay’s streaming spike proves even “hate-listens” count. Then we check in on Tyler with his new surprise record Don’t Tap the Glass ,...

With Drake’s new single out, WorkTape couldn’t help but ask “What Did I Miss?” Hopefully, not much. With the shifting landscape of pop dominance, we dig into why his attempt at being unbothered falls flat in the shadow of his loss to Kendrick. Along the way, we talk Alex Warren’s surprising six-week number one, why it feels like a decade-old sound resurfaced, and what that says about today’s chart...

From AI ‘60s revival bands to the quirks that give machine-made vocals away, this week on WorkTape we dive into Velvet Sundown — the mysterious act blurring the line between nostalgia and novelty. We also cover Oasis’ long-awaited return, why their reunion shows hit so close to the originals, Black Sabbath’s final bow with the classic lineup, a new Foo Fighters single that nods to their 2000s peak...

This WorkTape edition we reflect on the loss of Brian Wilson, just days after Sly Stone, exploring his role in the Beach Boys–Beatles “production arms race” and the lasting influence of Pet Sounds. We unpack the record’s connection to chill wave, the California harmony thread linking bands from Huey Lewis to the Eagles, and why Wilson’s perfectionism left Smile unfinished. Additionally, we turn to...

This WorkTape episode we remember the late Sly Stone’s groundbreaking mix of funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia — and the influence that rippled from his Bay Area roots to artists like Prince. We observe the slap bass revolution, early drum machine experiments, and what made him one of music’s most fearless innovators. Then it’s on to Lil Wayne’s “Carter VI,” from solid openers to head-scratching...

This WorkTape edition unpacks black midi's Geordie Greep’s latest LP "The New Sound", a vibrant fusion of samba, salsa, and ‘70s jazz influences filtered through new wave revivalism. From Weather Report and Fela Kuti to Talking Heads and David Byrne, we explore how he channels his influences without falling into copycat territory. Then we switch gears to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” — safe, catc...

In this edition of WorkTape, we unpack the unfolding chaos around the Diddy trial—from car bomb threats to cover-up allegations and surprise testimonies from Kid Cudi. We dig into what’s fact, what’s speculation, and whether Justin Bieber or Usher might be pulled into the spotlight next. Also, what will become of TikTok’s new artist analytics rollout? Could this move finally challenge Spotify’s gr...

On this WorkTape edition, we break down the shockwaves from this year’s Billboard AMAs, where Billie Eilish cleaned house while Taylor Swift went home empty-handed. From industry politics to pop sound fatigue, we question what awards actually say about artistry. Additionally, we dissect the strange wins—like Eminem over Kendrick—and wonder if the AMAs are picking legacy over relevance. Plus, a spo...

This week on WorkTape is a throw down on modern metalcore, pop-fusion punk, and the critics who can’t stand when bands step outside the box. This episode spotlights Sleep Token’s polarizing ...Even In Arcadia , a genre-bending record that has metal purists clutching their battle vests. From Afrobeat to atmospheric piano ballads, we explore why this isn’t just a TikTok hype act—it’s a real shift in...

This week on WorkTape, we take a sharp left turn away from war and controversy to focus some on the indie rock scene—more specifically Arcade Fire’s Pink Elephant . Is AF’s latest album a genuine return to gritty alt roots, or just another entry in the nostalgia parade? From shoegaze nods to SNL appearances, we question whether this phase feels more authentic than Reflektor or Everything Now . We...

With music news moving slow this week, WorkTape zooms in on ASCAP’s latest picks—and what they say about pop’s creative ceiling. From Jack Antonoff’s reign as pop songwriting’s safest bet to Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” dominating the Hot 100, we break down why comfort might be killing experimentation. We then pivot to Andre 3000’s surprise piano EP and the fine line between meditation and meme. Fr...

On this edition of WorkTape, we break down the newly announced 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees. From genre pioneers like Soundgarden and OutKast to surprise nods for Cyndi Lauper and Joe Cocker, we explore what these selections say about rock’s evolving definition. We also unpack the significance of the White Stripes becoming one of the first 2000s bands to make the Hall, and talk snub...

This edition of WorkTape teases the increasingly bizarre spiral of Kanye West, including his shocking cousin allegations, a Klan outfit interview, and a handwritten tracklist for an unreleased album rife with controversy-baiting titles. As we draw surprising parallels to a banned Boondocks episode that eerily mirrors Ye’s current behavior, we also pivot to Lorde’s unexpected comeback single “What...

This week on WorkTape, we take on the shocking resurrection of Fyre Festival. After FEMA tents, cheese sandwiches, and a fraud conviction, Billy McFarland says he's back with Fyre 2 —complete with MMA classes and tickets that top out at $1.2 million. But with no confirmed location and denials from Mexican officials, can this reboot be anything more than another PR hallucination? Revisiting the sca...

As Coachella wraps up and Easter Sunday overlaps with a strange financial reality, this edition of WorkTape unwraps the bigger picture behind headlines like “60% of attendees financed their tickets.” From Klarna-fueled burrito spending to Post Malone’s country pivot, we examine how pop culture and personal debt are starting to blend. Join us as we talk recession-pop nostalgia, Katy Perry in space,...

Is AI the future of music—or a soulless shortcut? In this edition of WorkTape, we dive into Timbaland’s controversial claim that AI has “more soul than new artists,” and unpack the backlash surrounding SUNO and AI-generated music tools. From Quincy Jones comparisons to monetized lo-fi channels, we examine whether AI is a helpful launchpad or just another creative bypass. We also explore the rise o...

WorkTape returns with a look at the Prince docuseries that almost happened—until the estate shut it down. What was too risky to show, and are we still afraid to unpack the complicated legacies of pre-2000s icons? From the culture of music documentaries to the blurred lines of image control and cancel culture, we ask what fans are really ready to hear. Then we pivot to Will Smith’s comeback attempt...

This week on WorkTape, we dive into the return of Leaving Neverland and the unshakable controversies surrounding Michael Jackson. Why does this case keep resurfacing after decades, and how do fans still remain so divided? We address MJ’s complicated legacy, the difference between his case and R. Kelly’s, and the conspiracies surrounding power, publishing, and the so-called music mafia. Onward, we...

This week on WorkTape, we kick off with a new round of lawsuit drama—starting with Drake’s increasingly awkward legal face-off against UMG, which now wants the entire case thrown out. If that’s not enough, Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit themselves are suing Universal Music for $200 million in unpaid royalties. From throwing bread at Smash Mouth concerts to Prince successors, tune into our unpacking of...