WorkTape

This week on WorkTape, we revisit the rise and rapid fall of the early 2010s folk-EDM craze—from Avicii’s Wake Me Up to the Mumfordification of every millennial burger restaurant playlist. Was it a genuine genre fusion or a corporate sound experiment gone too far? We explore the genre's roots, how acts like Hozier, Edward Sharpe, and The Lumineers spearheaded the movement, and what satire artists...

Who’s that over there tossing sandals? On this edition of WorkTape, we follow up on the fallout from Drake’s ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. From throwing sandals at drones to canceling his Anita Maxx Wind Tour , we discuss how the lawsuit, meme culture, and shrinking venues are reshaping his image, and what a proper solo comeback might look like. Then we shift to rising rock figure Sam Fender,...

On this edition of WorkTape, we unpack the fallout from Some Sexy Songs for You , the joint album from Drake and PartyNextDoor. We dive into the meme-worthy disaster that is “Meet Your Padre,” ask whether Drake’s attempts at Latin crossover have crossed a line, and explore whether his R&B pivot is damage control or genuine evolution. Then we step into the country scene to discuss the genre’s b...

Is the hip-hop power balance shifting for good? This week on WorkTape, we break down Kendrick Lamar’s explosive Super Bowl halftime performance. We explore fan backlash, middle America’s response, and why his setlist sparked debate even among die-hard fans. We also touch on the fallout from Drake’s slow fade, Kanye’s chaotic moves, and the quiet release of Drake’s new collab album. Tune in as we s...

This episode of WorkTape, we unpack the biggest moments from the 2024 Grammy Awards—from Kendrick Lamar’s historic wins to Beyoncé’s long-awaited Album of the Year victory for Cowboy Carter . Was it earned—or just makeup for past snubs? We also look at Taylor Swift’s shocking shutout, the rise of Chapel Roan and Doechii, and the awkward AI-fueled Beatles win that sparked a legacy vs. innovation de...

Vine is back… or is it? In this episode, we unpack Elon Musk’s unexpected push to revive the short-form platform in response to TikTok’s rocky status, and what that could mean for artists, creators, and meme culture. Then we dive into the baffling Bruno Mars x Sexy Red collab that feels more like a misstep than a moment. Is Bruno playing it too safe—or did he just forget who he is? Finally, we go...

Welcome to this installment of WorkTape, where we return to the evolving TikTok saga: from its sudden blackout to the unexpected 75-day extension, and the pondering of who might buy it (if anyone). We also dig into alternatives like Fanbase, exploring its Patreon-style subscription model and whether it might serve artists better than TikTok ever did. From the rise and fall of Zune to how Apple cru...

For this edition of WorkTape, we dive into Balloonerism , the latest posthumous release from Mac Miller. Was this psychedelic jazz experiment ahead of its time? We compare it to Faces , unpack Mac’s genre-hopping brilliance, and explore the eerie lyrical themes surrounding mortality. Then, we tackle the looming TikTok ban in the U.S.—how it’s affecting creators, what it means for the future of mus...

Picking up from last week, we continue the conversation in this edition of WorkTape by diving into international music icons who never quite broke through in the U.S. Despite topping charts around the globe, artists like Robbie Williams and Daddy Yankee reveal the challenges of cracking the American market. We explore how reggaeton’s rise—spearheaded by pioneers like Daddy Yankee—paved the way for...

In this episode of WorkTape, we break down two very different music biopics: Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan) and Better Man (Robbie Williams). We explore how Timothée Chalamet brought Dylan’s folk era to life, compare it to other biopic performances, and reflect on Dylan’s influence and contradictions. We also discuss the bizarre choice to portray Robbie Williams as a CGI chimp, Coldplay’s lovable bl...

In this episode of WorkTape, we break down the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees and nominations. From legacy acts like Cher and Ozzy Osbourne to genre-pushing groups like A Tribe Called Quest and Kool & the Gang, we examine which artists deserve the recognition and which choices raise eyebrows. On top of industry politics, we talk overlooked icons like Sade, and what “rock” even mea...

In this episode of WorkTape, we explore the evolving sonic landscape of the 2020s—from the quiet, introspective sound shaped by the pandemic to the unexpected resurgence of country music. We go into how artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Post Malone are redefining genre boundaries, what that means for the future of pop, and how soft rock is making a comeback. Come along as we unpack the music...

In this festive edition of WorkTape, we dive into why the same Christmas songs dominate every year—and why new ones rarely break through. From the cultural reign of Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé to the fatigue of endless covers, we explore whether holiday music has lost its magic or if nostalgia simply refuses to let go. Cozy up for a warm yet critical (or cynical) take on the sound of the season...

For this episode of WorkTape, we reflect on the wild, meme-filled, and chaotic musical landscape of 2024. From the Drake and Kendrick feud that shook hip-hop to Spotify Wrapped memes that made Diddy trend (for all the wrong reasons), we look at how this year reshaped not only artists’ careers, but how we consume music as a whole. We unpack the impact of AI music, short attention spans, oversaturat...

Did 2024 really see more music released in a single day than all of 1989? In this episode of WorkTape, we dive into this stunning claim from Consequence of Sound. What does this explosion of music say about accessibility, creativity, and the state of originality? We weigh the pros and cons of democratized music production and the challenges new artists face breaking through the noise. We also revi...

In this end-of-year episode of WorkTape, we reflect on the spectacle of the Tyson vs. Paul fight before diving into some heavy Grammy talk, including Taylor Swift's record-breaking seventh Album of the Year nomination and the creative stagnation critics see in her latest work. We also unpack Linkin Park’s controversial return with a new frontwoman, Emily Armstrong, and what that means for legacy a...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we dive into the 2025 Grammy nominations and unpack the biggest surprises, hottest predictions, and most debated snubs. From Beyoncé’s overdue recognition to Billie’s indie charm, and from Kendrick’s diss track dominance to overlooked R&B contenders, we go over what this year’s nominations say about the present state of music. We also touch on the...

Join us on this heartfelt episode of WorkTape as we honor the legendary Quincy Jones, reflecting on his passing at the age of 91 and his monumental contributions to music. From his early days as a trumpeter alongside Ray Charles to his groundbreaking work with Michael Jackson on Thriller , Off the Wall , and Bad , we explore his unmatched legacy. We also dive into his collaborations with artists l...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we wrap up our retrospective on the eclectic music of 2014. In this final installment, we dive into some standout releases that pushed genre boundaries and left a lasting impression. From the unique grooves of Jungle's debut album to the heartfelt melodies of George Ezra's Wanted on Voyage, we explore how these records defined the year. We also reflect...

Join us for another episode of WorkTape as we dive back into 2014, a year packed with the gritty storytelling on Schoolboy Q’s "Oxymoron", the GRAMMY success of Lecrae’s career-defining "Anomaly", and the smooth, yet, hard-hitting collaboration of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib on "Piñata". We also explore the hauntingly beautiful indie-electronica sounds of Phantogram’s "Voices" and the laid-back 60s/7...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we continue exploring the diverse sounds of 2014 with a focus on indie and electronic influences. This episode delves into Jungle’s vibrant self-titled debut, Taiko’s ambient soundscapes in Awake, and the experimental R&B from artists like FKA twigs and Banks. We also discuss how the resurgence of disco elements and ambient vibes shaped the year’s...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we explore the diverse sounds of 2014 through influential albums that left a lasting impact. We dive into Mac DeMarco's laid-back indie classic Salad Days , Pharrell’s chart-topping G I R L , and YG’s West Coast anthem My Krazy Life . We also reflect on Ed Sheeran's breakthrough with X and the powerful presence of Sia's 1000 Forms of Fear . Join us as...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we continue our journey through the music landscape of 2014. This time, we take a close look at standout releases from Foo Fighters’ ambitious Sonic Highways , to the introspective sounds of Sam Smith’s In the Lonely Hour . We also explore J. Cole’s monumental 2014 Forest Hills Drive and Run the Jewels’ hard-hitting second album. Join us as we discuss...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we continue our journey through 2014, a year packed with genre-defining albums and exciting shifts in the music industry. From D'Angelo's long-awaited return with "Black Messiah" to the high-energy pop of Walk the Moon’s "Talking is Hard," we dive deeply into the year’s most notable releases. We also touch on Bleachers’ "Strange Desire" and how the sou...

Welcome to another episode of WorkTape, where we close out our deep dive into 2004, a year packed with genre-defining albums and memorable moments in music. From Matisyahu's groundbreaking debut "Shake Off the Dust...Arise" to Tegan and Sara’s pivotal "So Jealous," we revisit the era’s most impactful releases. We also delve into Regina Spektor's experimental "Soviet Kitsch" and Iron & Wine's s...