Hey, Listen to This!

This week, Matt and Ryan are stepping away from the track-by-track deep dives to test their knowledge of LGBTQIA+ artists! With Jamie officially taking over the studio, she’s designed a trivia game inspired by the React YouTube series. Joining the fray is Rachel—can she swoop in and take the crown? From the genius of David Bowie to classic one-hit wonders, absolutely nothing is off-limits. If you...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan revisit The Boss himself: Bruce Springsteen. They take a look at his album Born in the U.S.A. in honor of the 4th of July. In the episode, the guys discuss some of Bruce's biggest songs: "Born in the U.S.A.," "Glory Days," and "Dancing in the Dark." Check out what the guys have to say about the album! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan wrap up their Pride Month celebration by diving into The Whaler by Home Is Where. Hailing from Florida, this group has quickly risen from local favorites to a modern punk staple, largely thanks to their intense live shows. As their first full-length release, The Whaler sees the band drawing on an eclectic mix of influences, from Fugazi to Neutral Milk Hotel. C...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan are continuing their Pride Month Celebration by reviewing Ingénue by k.d. lang. Released in 1992, it is Lang's most successful album on the charts. The album features a couple of her biggest songs "Constant Craving" and "Season of Hollow Soul". Check out what the guys have to say about the album! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNPGM2D7...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan are continuing their Pride Month Celebration by reviewing HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish. This album comes after her sophomore release Happier Than Ever that was released during the pandemic. With HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Billie explores themes of romantic love, loss of connection and the pitfalls of fame. Check out what the guys have to say about the reco...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan kick off Pride Month by reviewing The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie. Ziggy Stardust is widely considered to be Bowie's breakthrough album. Some of Bowie's best songs are on this record, including 'Starman' and 'Suffragette City'. Check out what the guys have to say about the album! Listen to the album: https://youtube...

This week, Matt and Ryan finish off their two-part series: What Is The Best Weezer Album? Last week they reviewed The Blue Album, and now Pinkerton is on deck. Initially a commercial flop, this 1996 record has since gained cult-classic status and is frequently cited as the band's definitive masterpiece. Does it live up to the legendary hype, or will the guys crown the debut record as the ultimate...

This week on Hey, Listen to This!, Matt and Ryan are kicking off a massive two-part showdown. We are diving deep into the discography of a band that defined alternative pop-rock in the 90s, with one ultimate goal in mind: determining once and for all which record reigns supreme as the absolute best in Weezer's catalogue. In Part 1 of our series, we are taking it back to May 1994 to break down thei...

This week, Matt and Ryan review Justin Bieber’s 2025 album, SWAG. As the long-awaited follow-up to 2021’s Justice, the record has been met with generally favorable reviews. Writing for The New Yorker, Brady Brickner-Wood praised the project, noting, 'Bieber has never sounded this wild, this expansive, this connected to something true.' Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about the album! Lis...

This week, Matt and Ryan review the 1961 release from Oliver Nelson called The Blues and the Abstract Truth. This album is Nelson's most acclaimed and features some notable musicians: Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes. The record is noted for its unique ensemble arrangements. Check out what we have to say about the album! Listen to the album: https://youtub...

This week, Matt and Ryan dive into the 2024 release by Los Campesinos! entitled All Hell. After breaking onto the indie rock scene in the 2000s, the band has spent years grinding and fine-tuning their craft to build sustained success with their fanbase. This latest record is a testament to their longevity, stands as their highest-charting album to date. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say! L...

This week, Matt and Ryan celebrate Record Store Day by diving into Matt's vinyl collection and reviewing The Cars’ self-titled debut album. Working with producer Roy Thomas Baker, the band crafted a record that seamlessly blends straightforward rock, new wave, and pop. Featuring the classic hit "Just What I Needed," this is an album you won’t want to miss. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say...

This week, Matt and Ryan take on Tyler, The Creator’s career-defining album, IGOR. Following the success of Flower Boy, Tyler doubled down on his new direction with a project defined by gritty synths, neo-soul grooves, and high-concept storytelling. Check out the guys' full breakdown of this modern classic! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mao9YHfZtBBTlxeT138lO0prcGHz...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan get ready for concert season by traveling down memory lane to review an album by a band Matt has seen live: (409) by Purple. Hailing from Beaumont, Texas, the group describes their sound as "Grunge-Punk." Throughout the episode, Matt and Ryan navigate the band's various influences while discussing the raw energy the trio brings to the table. Check out what the...

On this week’s episode of Hey, Listen to This!, Matt and Ryan dive deep into Mitski’s latest LP, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me. Mitski continues to solidify her reputation as one of this generation’s most vital songwriters, blending devastatingly intimate lyricism with a bold expansion of her sonic palette. We break down how the album balances themes of domestic stagnation and the quiet anxiety...

This week, Matt and Ryan are stepping away from the track-by-track deep dives to see how much they actually remember from over 100 episodes of reviews. Jamie has officially taken over the studio, designing a game inspired by the React YouTube series. The challenge? Identifying artists and songs exclusively from the archives of our past shows. Joining the fray is Rachel, acting as the ultimate wild...

Matt and Ryan continue their dive into Women's History Month by reviewing their first album that was released in 2026: "Luck...Or Something" by pop singer-songwriter Hilary Duff. We talk about the return of one of the 2000s' most recognizable names, as she deals with adulthood, lost romance, and realizing that time stops for no one. This blend of electro-pop, dance, and indie-folk stylings comes t...

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Matt and Ryan dive deep into one of the most influential albums of all time: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. We break down the seamless blend of neo-soul, hip-hop, and reggae, exploring how Hill’s raw honesty and soulful arrangements redefined the musical landscape. From the iconic classroom interludes to the chart-topping singles, we provide a full track-...

Does Reba’s 21st studio album hold up? This week, Matt and Ryan celebrate Women's History Month by reviewing the 1996 hit What If It’s You. From its Billboard chart dominance to Reba’s bold choice to ditch session musicians for her own band, there is plenty to discuss. Join the guys as they go track-by-track through one of country music’s most enduring voices. Listen to the album: https://youtube....

On this week’s episode, Matt and Ryan finish off their celebration of Black History Month with a review of Heavy Heavy by Young Fathers. Stripping back the polish for a more "back-to-basics" approach, this 2023 Mercury Prize-nominated project is a kaleidoscopic blend of soul, trip-hop, and African-inspired rhythms. The Scottish trio explores themes of joy, struggle, and heritage through a wall of...

On this week’s episode, Matt and Ryan continue their celebration of Black History Month with a review of Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A. Featuring several controversial tracks, this album put West Coast hip-hop on the map and redefined the genre. The group’s confrontational lyrics led to intense opposition from law enforcement and media outlets; MTV banned the "Straight Outta Compton" music video...

On this week’s episode, Matt and Ryan continue their celebration of Black History Month with a review of Bartees Strange’s Live Forever. After being named a Stereogum "Artist to Watch" in 2020, Strange released this debut to universal acclaim. Featuring a blend of hip-hop, indie rock, and jazz, it’s a record that defies genre. Tune in to hear the guys' full breakdown! Listen to the album: https://...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan kick off Black History Month by reviewing Stevie Wonder's Innervisions. This album is regarded as the final transition point that moved Wonder from "Little Stevie Wonder" into a more musically mature artist. Boasting massive singles such as "Higher Ground" and "Living for the City," the record saw tremendous success, including winning the Grammy Award for Albu...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan get ready for the Super Bowl by diving into Bad Bunny’s 2022 Un Verano Sin Ti. Following the massive success of his first three albums, this record made history as the first Spanish-language album ever nominated for the Grammy for Album of the Year. Check out what the guys have to say about this groundbreaking release! Correction Note: In this episode, Ryan tr...

This week, Matt and Ryan review the 1997 album The Fourth World by Kara’s Flowers—the band that would later become Maroon 5. Working with famed producer Rob Cavallo, the group crafted a unique blend of pop, rock, and punk. Tune in to hear the guys' take on this piece of alt-rock history! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mm2kkZTn--ZvCC6_0Bdwr-D57Pn-GU49A&si=_YRCdmdzJbJ...