Hey, Listen to This!

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...

This week, Matt and Ryan dive into Taylor Swift's latest, The Life of a Showgirl. Recorded during the whirlwind of The Eras Tour, this 2025 follow-up to The Tortured Poets Department marks a distinct pivot for Swift. Seeking to move in a new direction, Taylor has delivered a project that feels exceptionally focused and polished. Tune in to hear the full review! Listen to the album: https://youtube...

This week, Matt and Ryan review Big Thief’s 2025 album, Double Infinity, the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2022 breakthrough Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. With Double Infinity, the group sought to expand their sound by incorporating elements of trance, drone, and textural experimentation, with arrangements designed to allow for space and gradual development. Tune in to hear wh...

This week, Matt and Ryan revisit Radiohead’s pivotal 1995 album, The Bends. Following the massive success of their breakout single "Creep," the band found themselves at a crossroads, desperate to outrun the "one-hit wonder" tag. After breaking a creative deadlock on the road, the group emerged with a record that didn't just save their career—it redefined it. Join the guys as they break down this a...

For this week’s episode, Matt and Ryan shake off their holiday hangovers by deep-diving into A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. The album was conceived while Spector was producing The Ronettes' hit "Be My Baby." Aiming to apply his legendary "Wall of Sound" to holiday classics, Spector created what many consider the definitive versions of Christmas standards. Listen in to hear what Matt a...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a break from the usual deep dive into an album and turn their attention to the discography of the 'Queen of Christmas' herself: Mariah Carey. The two hosts will take turns picking albums from her catalogue and see how they rate on All Music. The host that picks the best-rated selection of albums will win bragging rights and have the ability to choose the...

For this week's episode, Matt and Ryan deep dive into the most legendary jazz album: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Davis created the album to move away from the Bop Era of Jazz, seeking more freedom to explore melody and emotion. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about this iconic record! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kLtBpVbGac_7xgJC4x9cRpeiLfjt9T1Pk&si...

For this week's episode, Matt and Ryan explore a genre of music that they haven't covered yet: blues. The album that they decided to cover comes from Muddy Waters and it's his 1977 album Hard Again. After having a legendary career, Muddy teamed up with Johnny Winter to produce this record. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about the record! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a break from the usual deep dive into an album and turn their attention to the prior winners of the CMA's Album of the Year award. The two hosts will take turns picking albums from that crop of albums and see how they rate on All Music. The host that picks the best-rated selection of albums will win bragging rates and have the ability to choose the artist...

To celebrate their 100th full-length review, Matt and Ryan are tackling one of the most famous albums of all time: The Beatles' legendary Abbey Road. This record was born at a time when tensions within the band were at an all-time high. Despite the friction, they attempted to set their differences aside and record one final masterpiece in their classic style. The result? One of the most universall...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan dive into blink-182's 1999 pop-punk classic, Enema of The State. This album launched the band into superstar status with songs like "All The Small Things," "What's My Age Again?," and "Adam's Song." The album explores themes ranging from high school love and angst to depression and even aliens. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about the album! Listen...