The Playlist Podcast

It’s the oldest debate in rock ’n’ roll history, and this week on The Playlist Podcast , we are finally picking sides. The concept is simple: 30 tracks, two legendary catalogues, and one massive battle for musical supremacy. Paul is stepping into the ring for the gritty, blues-infused camp of The Rolling Stones , while Alan flies the flag for the songwriting wizardry of The Beatles . Instead of ju...

As the Playlist Podcast celebrates their first birthday on our 27th Episode, Alan and Paul turn their attentions to the notorious '27 Club' and pay homage to 24 classic artists who have sadly passed away into music history, and pair each up with an contemporary act who we argue has been heavily inspired by their work and carry on their legacy.  Listen in to hear how a 1930s Blues Icon ca...

Ole!  The 2026 Fifa World Cup has finally arrived, and Alan and Paul are taking trip through the music of 22 of the countries which have qualified to create an Alternative World Cup playlist to soundtrack your tournament!  From South Korea to Haiti, we uncover a selection of bangers and make our predictions for how each will perform at the event.  Please Scotland, just don't come home too soo...

Grab your Fred Perry and dust off the Converse—this week, Alan and Paul are diving deep into the 2000s Indie Dancefloor. While the mid-to-late noughties were often criticised for a "landfill" of formulaic guitar bands, we’re here to prove that the era gave us some absolute crackers. From the spiky post-punk revival to the synth-heavy anthems that filled the clubs of Sheffield and Camden,...

Paul and Alan are diving back into the vault for the highly anticipated sequel: Summer Bangers 2 . After the massive response to their first summer deep dive, the duo has returned to curate the ultimate soundtrack for your backyard BBQs, road trips, and beach days. From forgotten poolside gems to the anthems that define the season, Paul and Alan break down why these tracks hit different when the s...

TPP In The Park!  As music festival season approaches, this week Alan and Paul are delighted to be  joined by Scottish Comedian of the Year Finalist and host of The Brown Jewels podcast, Ralph Brown, to take a look back at some of their favourite festival performances they have experienced and build a playlist cut from those Festivals.  Get Involved: What are your favourite festival performances y...

They came, they saw, they conquered the charts… and then they disappeared. This week on the Playlist Podcast , Alan and Paul are diving deep into the glorious, often bizarre world of the One-Hit Wonder . From synth-pop gems and novelty earworms to those "how was that their only hit?" masterpieces, we’re counting down the tracks that defined an era without ever needing a follow-up. What’s...

Every great album deserves a great opening track.   This week Alan and Paul come flying out the traps to pull a selection of 15 each of their favourite opening album tracks from all forms of music to build their joint 'Press Play - Album Openers' playlist.   Let us know if the comments what your favourites are, and any from our list that you strongly agree or disagree with!  TPP Let us k...

This week on the Playlist Podcast , Alan and Paul are going head-to-head with two of the greatest duos to ever do it: Daft Punk vs. OutKast. ✨ Alan’s Pick: 15 tracks of Daft Punk perfection. 🎷 Paul’s Pick: 15 tracks of OutKast’s ATLiens funk. From the pyramid to the playground, we’re breaking down the beats, the bars, and the brilliance. Drop a comment: If you had to live on a desert island with...

New Episode - St Patrick's Day Special!  Join Alan and Paul as they pull together a playlist and discuss 15 tracks each from their favourite artists from Ireland in celebration of St Patrick's Day.   Does Ronan Keating make the cut in a crowded field of awesome artists?  Grab a pint of the black stuff and tune in to find out!  Let us know what you think of the show! Support the show Link...

Ever been told to "don’t quit your day job" while singing in the shower? This week, Paul and Alan are turning the volume up and the judgment down. We’ve curated a 30-track survival guide for anyone who loves music but wasn't exactly blessed with the voice of an angel. From pub-rock anthems to those visceral "scream-at-the-dashboard" choruses, we’re picking 15 songs each th...

1-2-3-4! Welcome to Pop Punk Paradise!   Join Paul and special guest Alan (a different Alan this week) as they take a trip into the wonderful world of pop punk through the ages.  Turns out we had plenty to talk about on this theme! We take it right back to the origins through to the present day and build a playlist of our favourites from the scene.  Expect big riffs and even bigger choruses.  Let...

"Love Will Tear Us Apart" or "Blue Monday"? Why choose when you can have both? From the shadows of Manchester to the bright lights of the dancefloor. 🎛️🎸 This week, Alan and Paul take on the ultimate evolution: Joy Division into New Order. One story, two legendary bands, and a playlist that changed music forever. Let us know what you think of the show! Support the show Link Tr...

The days are shorter, the air is sharper, and The Playlist Podcast is slowing things down. In this episode, Paul and Alan curate the ultimate soundtrack for those frozen mornings and late, low-light nights. Whether you’re staring out a frost-covered window or huddled by the fire, we’ve built a playlist that feels like a cold breeze and a warm blanket all at once. Listen now and help us build the &...

Welcome to the blockbuster sized end of year 2025 review show. Alan and Paul are delighted to be joined by special guest and playlist specialist Jamie to build a playlist of 30 of the best tracks of the year.   We discuss and dissect some of the best albums of the year. If you are looking for some strong recommendations from some of the best sounds of 2025 then this is the perfect place to drop in...

Join Alan and Paul for an unscheduled, impromptu episode where the Playlist Podcast is recorded live and unedited for a special seasonal Drunkcast. Crack open a drink, pull up a pew, and check out our discussion on our musical pasts, wish lists, dislikes, hot takes, and much more.   Fans of Benson Boone look away...... Slanj! Let us know what you think of the show! Support the show Link Tree - htt...

O'Come All Ye Faithful!  This week, TPP is paid a visit from two very special guests on our first Christmas Playlist Podcast Special!   We are bringing in the holiday season with our other halves to build a festive playlist and tell stories featuring a selection of our favourite Seasonal Bangers.   Happy Christmas and New Year to all who celebrate.  Hope you enjoy our Christmas Special! Link...

This week on The Playlist Podcast , Alan and Paul are celebrating the very best of Scottish music. From the indie anthems of Glasgow to the rock legends of the Highlands, we are looking at the bands and artists that put Scotland on the musical map. Whether you're a fan of classic rock, synth-pop, or modern indie, this episode proves that some of the best tunes in the world come from the land...

"Beastie Boys known to let the beat....mmmmmm....drop!" Strap on your ear goggles, kick off your shoes, relax your socks, and any other Beastie Boys related instructions. This week, Alan and Paul drop the first artist special since their very first episode, and jump head first into the stellar back catalogue of the mighty Beastie Boys. A band very close to The Playlist Podcast's hea...

Trip Hop vs. Big Beat: The Ultimate Genre Showdown! This week, Alan is diving deep into the smoky, hypnotic world of Trip Hop (think Massive Attack & Portishead ), while Paul brings the heavy, breakbeat energy of Big Beat (hello, The Chemical Brothers & Fatboy Slim !). No theme this time—just two distinct vibes battling it out across 30 essential tracks. Press play and let the beats guide...

Trick or Treat! 🎃 Alan and Paul are battling it out for the title of "Master of the Macabre Mixtape." Who will summon the scariest 15 tracks? From haunting harmonies to monster mash-ups, get ready for the ultimate soundtrack to your Halloween night. Let us know what you think of the show! Support the show Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/Theplaylist.podcast Buy us a Coffee - bit.ly/4eFTZn3

Cue the strobe lights! This week is pure, unadulterated dance floor energy as Paul and Alan welcomes Mark to The Playlist Podcast. Will Alan's vintage Pre-Millennium dance floor bangers sweep the floor, or will Mark's powerful Post-Millennium bass drops and modern anthems take the crown? Put your headphones on and get ready to move. Don't miss this one! Let us know what you think of...

Welcome back to the Playlist Podcast !  What makes a great guest appearance? Is it an artist bringing a fresh sound, a powerful vocal, or a killer instrumental solo? This week Hosts Alan and Paul raid their record collections to explore that question by building a playlist dedicated to their favourite guest spots in music history.  Who made the cut? Tune in to find out! Let us know what you think...

Join Alan and Paul for another Playlist Podcast as they dig deep into the world of cover songs, pitting iconic originals against their most famous (and sometimes infamous) covers.    They discuss in depth each of their picks for this episode's playlist, and take a look at some of the worst cover songs in existence.   Follow the playlist from the Episode on Spotify and Apple Music,  www.thepla...

The Uncool List — Alan and Paul dig into the bands everyone loves to hate, but secretly have some absolute bangers. From guilty pleasures to underrated gems, this is our list of “uncool” artists with surprisingly cracking tunes. Let us know what you think of the show! Support the show Link Tree - https://linktr.ee/Theplaylist.podcast Buy us a Coffee - bit.ly/4eFTZn3