Episodios

  • Angine de Poitrine "Fabienk"

    Angine de Poitrine "Fabienk"
    Aug 4 2026
    Prepare for an intergalactic funk transmission as Joe and Toby explore “Fabiano” by Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine. Armed with masks, polka dots, microtonal guitars, dizzying rhythms, and enough looping pedals to frighten a Guitar Hero champion, these two musicians create a sound that is equal parts math rock, funk, jazz, and delightful absurdity. But the riffs quickly launch a much bigger conversation. What does anonymity allow an artist to create? Can limitations actually make us more inventive? Who should be trusted with an unfinished idea, and how do we keep one careless opinion from crushing the creative cake before it has finished baking? Joe and Toby also dig into the power of long-term creative partnerships, the confidence born from struggle, the tension between artistic freedom and the desire for recognition, and the identities that remain underneath our everyday careers. Plus, they consider what their 13-year-old selves would think of them today and share some of the artists currently filling their headphones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 5 m
  • Sienna Spiro "Die On This Hill"

    Sienna Spiro "Die On This Hill"
    Jul 22 2026
    What are you willing to die on a hill for? For rising British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro, the question becomes a haunting exploration of loyalty, stubbornness, and the moment you realize you may be fighting for someone who would never fight for you. In this episode, Joe and Toby dig into Spiro’s breathtaking single “Die on This Hill,” from its stripped-back piano opening and sweeping string arrangement to the audible sigh that closes the track. They explore how a failed attempt to learn “Bohemian Rhapsody” sparked the song, why it took countless versions to uncover its true form, and how Spiro learned that restraint can sometimes reveal more than vocal fireworks. The conversation also traces the influences behind her timeless sound, including Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Nina Simone, Adele, Lana Del Rey, and Amy Winehouse, along with the remarkable praise she has received from Sir Elton John. Along the way, Joe and Toby wrestle with artistic vulnerability, stage personas, the value of creative repetition, and why listeners may be craving unmistakably human music in the age of AI. Plus, the guys share what they have been listening to lately, champion artists still bubbling beneath the algorithm, and make the case for why Sienna Spiro is unquestionably vinyl worthy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 m
  • Olivia Rodrigo "Drop Dead"

    Olivia Rodrigo "Drop Dead"
    Jul 2 2026
    Joe and Toby dive into Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead,” unpacking the emotional precision, lyrical sharpness, and intimate vocal delivery that make her music feel like an inner monologue. The conversation explores how Rodrigo’s songwriting connects across generations, pulling younger listeners into the immediacy of heartbreak while transporting older listeners back to their own formative relationships. The hosts also trace the song’s sonic and cultural echoes, from The Cure and ’80s/’90s alternative textures to the cinematic potential of Rodrigo’s catalog as the soundtrack for teen romance, obsession, horror, or beautifully awkward coming-of-age stories. Along the way, they discuss Amy Allen’s songwriting influence, Dan Nigro’s production, the strange experience of celebrity in the wild, and why great songs can bridge age, memory, and emotional time travel. As always, the episode wanders joyfully into side quests, including New York celebrity sightings, Helena Bonham Carter near-collisions, Dash & Lily, Spider-Verse, PM Dawn, and a recommendation for Australian artist Ethan French. It’s a conversation about Rodrigo’s artistry, but also about why certain songs don’t just get heard. They follow you around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 m
  • Drake - "Janice STFU"

    Drake - "Janice STFU"
    Jun 15 2026
    This week on Riffs on Riffs, we tackle one of the most polarizing artists of the modern era: Drake, his track “Janice STFU,” and the massive cultural machine surrounding the release of Iceman. Alonog the way, Toby and Joe discuss celebrity, marketing, authenticity, attention spans, social media, AI, and whether modern culture has become addicted to constant stimulation. We break down Drake’s ambitious album rollout, from elaborate promotional stunts and livestreams to the strategy of dominating conversation through sheer volume. Joe compares Drake to KISS as a case study in marketing genius. The result is a fascinating discussion about what makes an artist culturally unavoidable, even when critics and fans can’t agree on the music itself. The conversation also revisits the lingering shadow of Drake’s legendary feud with Kendrick Lamar. Was it genuine animosity, performance art, or some combination of both? And what does it say about modern audiences that conflict itself has become part of the product? From meditation and dopamine addiction to birds nesting outside Joe’s front door, the episode becomes a reflection on what many of us seem to be craving right now: something real. We explore how technology, algorithms, and endless content have left us exhausted, and why artists like Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, and others are finding success by returning to more organic, human forms of music-making. Come for the Drake debate. Stay for the philosophy, birds, blues, and unexpected reflections on what it means to truly listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 12 m
  • Chris Brown "Fallin"

    Chris Brown "Fallin"
    May 14 2026
    This week on Riffs on Riffs, we dive into “Fallin” by Chris Brown featuring Leon Thomas, and what starts as a conversation about one song quickly turns into a full-blown exploration of modern R&B, blues revivalism, AI music culture, performance authenticity, and why pain sometimes translates into great art. We unpack the cinematic weight of the song and its visual parallels to Sinners, asking whether the video is homage, influence, or something in between. We also explore how artists like Leon Thomas are helping Usher (pun intended) R&B back toward its blues roots, trading glossy perfection for something more raw, intimate, and emotionally honest. Along the way, we tackle the complicated reality of Chris Brown’s legacy. Can you separate the art from the artist? Why do some public figures become permanently polarizing while others seem to escape scrutiny entirely? Rather than offering easy answers, we sit with the tension and focus on the music itself: the harmonies, the live performance chops, the emotional weight, and the undeniable impact Chris Brown has had on modern R&B over the last two decades. The episode also veers into conversations about AI-generated music, disappearing physical media, underground mixtape culture, the return of vinyl and CDs, and why younger generations may be losing spaces where they can simply exist without being recorded. And somewhere in the middle of all that? Buddy Guy, Bruno Mars, Usher, Japanese vinyl pressings, Entourage, and the possibility that the blues are making a massive comeback. This one sprawls like a late-night jam session in a smoke-filled juke joint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 3 m
  • Kehlani "Folded"

    Kehlani "Folded"
    Apr 28 2026
    In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, we unpack “Folded” by Kehlani—a song that’s equal parts breakup, late-night temptation, and emotional tug-of-war. Inspired by a shoutout from Olivia Dean, we dive into why this track has resonated so widely—and why it might not be as straightforward as it sounds. Along the way, we trace Kehlani’s journey from a turbulent childhood and early industry struggles to Grammy-winning recognition, reminding us that “overnight success” is often years in the making. We also explore the song’s musical DNA—from subtle nods to classic R&B textures reminiscent of Brandy to the orchestral flourishes that elevate it beyond a typical slow jam. But the heart of this episode lives in the tension of the lyrics: Is “Folded” a breakup song… or an invitation? A moment of closure… or the beginning of another cycle? We wrestle with the emotional reality behind lines like “come pick up your clothes,” and what they reveal about attachment, chemistry, and the stories we tell ourselves to stay connected. We also zoom out to talk about performance versus production—why live sessions (Colors, Tiny Desk, Spotify Sessions) hit differently in an AI-saturated world—and how music continues to be one of the most human forms of expression we have. And if you’ve ever considered going back to “pick up your clothes”… you might want to listen first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 m
  • Jalen Ngonda "If You Don't Want My Love"

    Jalen Ngonda "If You Don't Want My Love"
    Apr 13 2026
    In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dig into “If You Don’t Want My Love” by Jalen Ngonda — a track that feels equal parts vintage and urgent. From the moment the needle drops (figuratively speaking), the conversation moves beyond the song itself and into something deeper: love, longing, and what we do when connection isn’t returned. Along the way, they unpack Ngonda’s origin story—from Maryland roots to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts—and explore the unmistakable texture of his sound: live instrumentation, layered harmonies, and what Toby dubs a “power falsetto.” It’s a voice that nods to legends like Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye, but refuses to be pinned down. Joe and Toby zoom out to ask a bigger question: Why is this sound coming back now? Their answer lands somewhere between culture and craving. In a world of noise, speed, and algorithm-driven everything, this resurgence of organic, human-centered music feels less like nourishment. From Motown grooves to modern burnout, from solo concert experiences to shared moments of belonging, this episode is a meditation on connection itself. Music restores us. So whether you’re here for the riffs, the storytelling, or the search for something real…you’re in the right place! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 m
  • Harry Styles "Aperture"

    Harry Styles "Aperture"
    Mar 27 2026
    Happy hour meets high art in this episode of Riffs, as Joe and Toby crack open a drink—and Harry Styles’ latest single, “Aperture.” What starts as a laid-back catch-up quickly unfolds into a thoughtful exploration of artistry, vulnerability, and what it really means to “let the light in.” The guys dig into Harry’s evolution from boy band phenom to genre-defying artist, unpacking how Aperture reflects a deeper creative freedom. They explore the song’s unconventional structure, its layered (and sometimes elusive) lyrics, and why Harry continues to stand apart—not because he follows the rules, but because he doesn’t seem particularly interested in them. The conversation then stretches into something bigger: the relationship between self-awareness and growth. What does it mean to “know what you don’t”? How does owning your mistakes actually set you free? And why do the most meaningful breakthroughs often come from the moments we’d rather avoid? Along the way, Joe and Toby reflect on their own experiences—friendship, failure, creative process—and connect it all back to the song’s central idea: that openness, whether to others or to yourself, is where real transformation begins. They also dive into the sound of the track itself, encouraging listeners to go beyond earbuds and truly experience the depth of modern production—because sometimes the magic isn’t just in the melody, it’s in the layers you didn’t know were there. From bourbon mishaps to philosophical insights, this episode blends humor, heart, and sharp musical perspective—reminding us that great songs open something up inside of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 m