With an ever-increasing, seemingly unlimited amount of music available at our fingertips, it can feel nigh on impossible to stay on top of it all. This is where music podcasts come in. Offering everything from in-depth insights into your favourite artists to new album reviews and recommendations, there's a podcast for every type of music fan. Scroll on to find your new favourite.
Best music podcasts in 2024
Song Exploder
Song Exploder is the ultimate podcast for diehard music lovers with a deep appreciation for the craft and an itch to delve behind the scenes. Each episode breaks down a song piece by piece with the artists and producers who created them, unpacking the processes and choices involved. Created and hosted by Hrishikesh Hirway, Song Exploder has featured some of the biggest names in music, including the likes of Tame Impala, Billie Eilish and Lorde, so you're guaranteed to come across some of your favourite hits.
Dissect
In a similar vein to Song Exploder, Dissect takes a deep-dive approach to analysing and unpacking some of the most groundbreaking music of all time. The podcast dedicates an entire season to exploring an entire album's worth of music, working through it song by song. Host Cole Cuchna takes a probing look at the music, lyrics and meaning of each album, exploring broader cultural contexts and inspirations. Albums covered so far include Beyoncé's Lemonade, Childish Gambino's Because the Internet and Kanye West's Yeezus.
Popcast
Hosted by Jon Caramanica, a charismatic pop music critic for The New York Times, Popcast is always an entertaining and compelling listen – particularly for pop music obsessives. With input from insightful guests, topics of discussion include everything from the challenges of breaking into country music for women to the recent influx of pop star documentaries, and what it all means.
RA Exchange
Lovers of dance, techno and house music will devour Resident Advisor's weekly RA Exchange podcast, a series of conversations with artists, labels and promoters who are shaping the electronic music scene today. Guests include everyone from heavy hitters like Virgil Abloh to the up-and-coming producer and DJ object blue. For pure music without any of the chat, be sure to check out Resident Advisor's other podcast, which is dedicated solely to playing DJ mixes.
All Songs Considered
Bored of your current playlists and in need of new music recommendations? Sink your teeth into NPR's All Songs Considered podcast – a fail-safe go-to for weekly mixes and new music round-ups, as well as easily digestible and engaging discussions on the latest music happenings, plus conversations with emerging artists. Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are music nerds who know their stuff, but don't be intimidated: their laidback conversational manner will put you right at ease.
Now, treat your ears to the best culture podcasts.
