Buzz
I enjoy uncovering music through diverse avenues beyond traditional radio: curated playlists, television scores, annual top charts, subway performers, TikTok clips, songs overheard in bars, stores, and cafes...and, of course, podcasts. Podcasts are an incredible platform for sampling new tracks. A music podcast functions like an on-demand version of your favorite radio program—many of the best ones are even rebroadcasts of actual radio shows, but with fewer ads and no over-the-top morning hosts. Here are my top picks for discovering fresh tunes, revisiting forgotten gems, or exploring music that's new to me.
Every show title includes links to its official site and its Apple Podcasts page.
Aquarium Drunkard: Transmissions (Apple)
Artists, comedians, and creatives share their top music picks, playing snippets and complete tracks.
Devendra Banhart recently highlighted some rare tracks, many of which aren’t available on Spotify or YouTube. I’ve already purchased the original Slapp Happy recording of “Blue-Eyed William” on vinyl.
All Songs Considered (Apple)
The show features interviews, discussions, and playthroughs of new music, focusing on popular releases that even music aficionados can appreciate. The hosts bring an NPR-style blend of wit, warmth, and eclectic taste.
The site includes YouTube embeds of songs featured on the show. You’ll also find unique recommendations, such as Japanese operatic prog rock, in the “Viking’s Choice” playlists.
In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond (Apple)
Jazz sessions with little commentary, each week exploring a unique theme and often honoring recently passed jazz legends. The show spans a broad spectrum of jazz styles, subgenres, and historical periods.
Themes range from bluegrass-jazz fusion featuring Béla Fleck, superstitious tracks for Friday the 13th, a celebration of Bitches Brew's anniversary, and lunar-themed songs for Apollo 11's 50th anniversary. Host Ken Laster excels at uncovering exceptional renditions of jazz classics. Check out track lists on the blog.
Annie Mac’s Mini Mix (Apple)
A snippet from DJ Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 program, showcasing a five-minute mix from a different guest DJ every episode. These meticulously crafted mixes breathe new life into classic dance tracks; I particularly enjoy the clever nods in the “Who Sampled Who” mix.
Song Exploder (Apple)
Every episode offers an in-depth exploration of a single song, narrated by its creator.
Similar to Annie Mac’s show, Song Exploder is perfect for rediscovering a beloved track or gaining insight into a new release from a favorite artist. The artists break down their lyrics, melodies, instrumental layers, effects, and the creative choices that shaped the final product—along with the paths not taken.
When the complete song plays at the episode’s conclusion, you’ll notice intricate details and perhaps even imagine the alternate versions that never materialized.
Carnival Mix (Apple)
Non-stop lively Caribbean tunes, perfect for setting a festive party atmosphere.
Bamf Radio - Lofi and Chill (Apple)
Continuous chillhop tracks without vocals or interruptions. Most mixes run around 45 minutes, sometimes longer, making them ideal for calm background listening.
This subgenre, known as lo-fi hip-hop chillhop anime beats for work/relax/study, is highly commercialized. Popular on YouTube streams and Spotify playlists, it often features one-song artists, with some critics suggesting these tracks are anonymous, royalty-free works designed to reduce royalty costs. The genre thrives because its tracks share a consistent, soothing sound—and that sound is undeniably effective.
Some episodes start or finish with a track by Bamf, the show’s creator, seamlessly blending into the mix. Bamf’s album Dreaming is available on all major streaming platforms, including a full-album YouTube video featuring the requisite serene anime visuals.
Downtown Soulville with Mr. Fine Wine (Apple)
Classic blues and soul tracks, with each episode running about an hour. While well-known artists like the Temptations, the Shirelles, and Jackie Wilson make appearances, the show also highlights lesser-known acts such as Little Bob, Titus Turner, and the Grand Prix’s.
The audio quality is rough, but it adds to the charm, as if an older gentleman—whose fedora and sunglasses still suit him—invited you to his top-floor apartment to spin some records. Occasionally, he hands you a memento from a 1962 concert and shares a tidbit about the saxophonist.
It truly is an older gentleman playing records. The site provides a complete playlist for every episode, noting the format of each song—mostly seven-inch 45s.
KEXP Presents Music That Matters (Apple)
Curated blends of indie, rock, and various genres from Seattle’s KEXP public radio. While All Songs Considered offers a broad overview of popular music, KEXP dives deeper, spotlighting emerging artists you might not yet know.
Over the past two decades, public radio has shifted away from a Western-centric focus. Previously, “world music” was often segregated into its own programming slot; now, it’s seamlessly integrated with Western music, fostering a mutual exchange of sounds. A recent Music That Matters episode titled “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” features rock, pop, blues, and dance tracks by (and inspired by) indigenous artists, with every song delivering a powerful impact. (For example, check out “The OG” by A Tribe Called Red.)
KEXP Song of the Day (Apple)
Each daily episode features just one song, free of filler. If you’re short on time for a full Music That Matters mix, this is a perfect way to sample the show. Here’s the standout track from the “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” episode.
Punch Up the Jam (Apple)
Each episode focuses on dissecting a well-known song, analyzing it moment by moment, and then creating a parody to “improve” it. This approach offers a unique way to appreciate and understand classic tracks.
At the end of every episode, the hosts and guests share their “unpunchable jams”—songs they consider flawless. They maintain a growing Spotify playlist featuring 255 impeccable tracks spanning various genres and eras.
Reverberation Radio (Apple)
A continuous playlist of mostly ambient yet distinctive and vibrant music. The site includes curated playlists of these hidden gems and overlooked tracks. When two songs blend seamlessly, one might be a 1970s Indian track, followed by a modern piece from the Netherlands.
With no commentary, introductions, or interruptions, it’s easy to miss details like the episode “Tim Hill - Payador” being an exclusive full play-through of a new album available only on vinyl. Each track evokes the atmosphere of a roadside bar with pool tables, Michelob signs, and peanut shells on the floor. Naturally, I had to buy it.
Honorable Mentions
These two shows have concluded and aren’t solely focused on music, but I’ve discovered some favorite tracks through them, and you will too.
A Twilight World of Ultimate Smoothness (Apple)
A six-episode audio drama miniseries featuring frequent musical interludes.
Twilight World is set within a fictional late-night radio show with a comically awkward host. Amid his clumsy and increasingly tense interactions with the audience, guests, and station staff, the host plays some genuinely excellent romantic tunes.
Blue Jam
A mix of 90s music paired with strange and unsettling comedy sketches.
Created by British satirist Chris Morris, known for Brass Eye and Four Lions, this late-night show combined sketches and music for BBC Radio 1 in the late 90s. It aired at midnight, though Morris originally intended it for a 3 a.m. slot.
While the sketches could be shocking or controversial—one episode was pulled mid-broadcast—the music remained stellar. Tune into this bootleg feed to revisit or discover standout 90s alternative tracks.
As always, I’m eager to hear about the countless great shows I might have overlooked.
