Shows
At First ListenWRAP IT UP: What Did We Like In 2025?Andrew and Dominique look back at their first year cohosting the At First Listen podcast. We did 43 episodes this year. It was a lot of music to listen to and far too much to remember! So we have to ask: What did we love? What did we forget about? What do we wish we could forget? Dominique admits that she still listens to Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet weekly. Andrew comes clean about his renewed enjoyment of brutal death metal and deathcore, and he shouts out some of the bands that have come into his orbit t...
2025-12-1254 minAt First ListenFatmowf "copycat" - Chillwave Hip-hop Zoomer ... Blues?Dominique brings in a new song by rapper Fatmowf called 'Copycat," as an epilogue to last week's B.B. King episode, where we asked questions about the legacy of the blues in modern music.Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
2025-11-2811 minAt First Listen'B.B. King Blues Summit 100' - A Tribute to the KingWhy don’t people care about the blues anymore? We applaud guitarist Joe Bonamassa’s heroic tribute B.B. King Blues Summit 100, celebrating what would be the King of the Blues’ 100th birthday, but have to ask, ‘Why?’ We parse through our conflicted feeling about the state of the blues; is the blues a dead genre and did white people kill it? Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode
2025-11-2037 minAt First ListenAndo San "Thick Neck" - Rap Metal or Metal *With* Rapping?We check out a new song called "Thick Neck" by rapper/guitarist Ando San.We're intrigued by Ando San's whole vibe, his metal vocalist-turned-rapper transition and whether or now he's a cat guy.Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenpodcast on Instagram.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-11-1308 minAt First ListenWhat Ever Happened to Young Cardamom?We break down a pair of tracks from a relatively unknown but charismatic Queens, New York-based rapped called Young Cardamom. This Indian-American emcee dropped a flurry of songs with great-looking visuals about a decade ago. Two, in particular, “#1 Spice” and “Nani,” caught our attention this week. But it’s been years since Young Cardamom released any new music. What happened to him?Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
2025-11-0722 minAt First ListenD'Angelo: 'Brown Sugar' & Beyond with Helen LittleAndrew and Dominique know almost nothing about D’Angelo, so if they didn’t do a D’Angelo episode now, they might never learn. We enlist LiteFM midday host and National Black Radio Hall of Famer Helen Little to help fill in the gaps in our knowledge. Helen has worked at heritage R&B radio stations in both New York and Philadelphia since the '90s. She was in on the proverbial ground floor of D'Angelo's pop career, met him numerous times and has a strong connection to his first two studio albums.Tell us about...
2025-10-3043 minAt First ListenThe Music of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)We discuss the anomaly that is the 1993 stop-motion animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas — a gothic Halloween musical comedy for children that hinges of themes of death, depression, belonging and the Christmas spirit. Extraordinarily offbeat and original, Nightmare has inspired generations of people with its music, aesthetic and lesson of embracing what makes each of us unique. Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
2025-10-2418 minAt First ListenBobby 'Boris' Pickett's "Monster Mash" (1962) - The Only Halloween Song?This bonus episode is a loving tribute to the greatest and one true Halloween song. Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenpodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! (NOTE: Andrew is of course referring to “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder when he says “Supernatural.” He is humiliated.)
2025-10-1616 minAt First ListenJohn Lennon & Yoko Ono "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (1972)We dive into John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s powerful 1972 statement on political violence, “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which has just been re-released in a gigantic (potentially evil capitalist) box set. Dominique rants about commercial art versus performance art, and we discuss Yoko Ono’s immense impact on the latter. Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenpodcast via Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
2025-10-0918 minAt First ListenDinosaur Pile-Up "Bout to Lose It" Back on the EdgeU.K.-based rockers Dinosaur Pile-Up returned this year after a lengthy absence to remind us that contemporary rock music can deal with serious topics and be fun at the same time.DPU singer-guitarist Matt Bigland re-evaluated much of his life and his choices during a hospital stay in 2021. Once healthy again, Matt recommitted himself to his music and his band. This past August, Dinosaur Pile-Up returned with its first new album in six years, I've Felt Better.On this episode, we dive into the album's first single and lead track, "'Bout to Lose It."
2025-10-0211 minAt First ListenApril Kae and Cardi B's 'AM I THE DRAMA'April Kae returns to the show to join the conversation around Cardi B's AM I THE DRAMA? album.We discuss the high and low points of Cardi's highly-anticipated, 24-track (!) divorce album, her unending charm and how she constantly finds ways to push boundaries of pop music. April explains the debt she owes to Cardi B's "Up," as well as the challenges she’s faced while developing her own music and how a breakup clarified her vision for her music career. She also makes an "official" announcement about what's next for her solo music. Tell us ab...
2025-09-261h 00At First ListenHolywatr "Hiding in Plain Sight" - Is This Nü Screamo?We check out the recent single "Hiding in Plain Sight" by the L.A.-based metalcore band Holywatr.Andrew has highly conflicting feelings about the band, but it's right up Dominique's alley. Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-09-1812 minAt First ListenHayley Williams' 'Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party' - The South Will Not Rise AgainWe add some context to Hayley Williams' landmark third solo album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party, discuss why it's a step into uncharted territory for her and what it means for the future of Paramore.Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!(Episode 40.)
2025-09-1245 minAt First ListenBlood Orange "Somewhere In Between" - Taking It SoloWe're talking about a single from Blood Orange's new album, Essex Honey.We marvel at the mulit-instrumental talent of songwriter/producer Dev Hynes and we discuss the pitfalls and freedoms that comes with being a true solo artist.Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast via Instagram.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-09-0415 minAt First ListenIs Spotify Attacking Independent Artists or Is There a Ghost in the Machine?Spotify is using weird rules to fine and de-platform independent artists from its service — are these honest mistakes or is something more nefarious going on? Last week, Andrew’s band, One Hundred Thousand, got a notice from its distributor that one song from its 2021 album was flagged for “bot activity” and that the entire album was therefore being removed from Spotify, and all other digital streaming services as a penalty. No one at Spotify appears to be concerned enough to respond to our requests for help and there is no apparent appeals process for artists who say they h...
2025-08-2926 minAt First ListenDeftones 'milk of the madonna' - Is This Brat?On the eve of the release of the new Deftones album, private music, we’re breaking down the band's “milk of the madonna" single. Andrew and Dominique ask where the line is when it comes to an artist rehashing their ‘classic’ sound, and how private music is bound to be the quintessential Deftones album for the new generation of fans who just recently discovered the band and elevated the Deftones to arena-level. Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode of ‘At First Listen’!
2025-08-2112 minAt First ListenKallias' "The Final Cleansing" - Rinse and RepeatWe highlight progressive metal band Kallias' latest single, "The Final Cleansing," the day their new album, Digital Plague, arrives on all streaming platforms.Andrew and Dominique dive into the many layers of "The Final Cleansing," how the song ebbs between cinematic intricacy and straightforward slam.Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode of At First Listen.
2025-08-1410 minAt First ListenA Look at Ozzy Osbourne's Legacy With Black Sabbath and BeyondWe honor the work of Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away this week at age 76. Andrew and Dominique give Ozzy his flowers for being a much greater singer, performer and ambassador for rock and heavy metal music than people realize. We talk about the grim circumstances that led to Ozzy co-founding Black Sabbath with Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, and we consider how Satanic panic unwittingly fueled the band’s rise in the ‘70s. We stop down on some highlights from Ozzy’s incredible solo career and consider how music history would have been diffe...
2025-07-251h 00At First ListenThe Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds' (1966) - Appreciating Brian WilsonWe surf with The Beach Boys in memory of the band’s late mastermind Brian Wilson, who passed away in June at age 82. Andrew discusses his longstanding curiosity about The Beach Boys, while Dominique explains how one of the squarest bands of the ‘60s was an element of her teenage rebellion in the ‘00s. We discuss why coolness has always eluded the Beach Boys and where the band's legacy stands today. Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!(Episode 37.)
2025-07-1743 minAt First ListenKarnivool's "Drone" Is Anything But One-NoteA band Andrew has traveled across the world to see just released its first new song in years.From Perth, Australia, Karnivool is probably the greatest rock band in the world that nobody knows about! We discuss the new single, "Drone," the merits of having a tight catalog and why Karnivool is such a well-kept secret.Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-07-1018 minAt First ListenFoo Fighters' "Today's Song," Inspecting Dave Grohl's Whole VibeFoo Fighters released their first new original song since 2023 this week with "Today's Song."We give our thoughts on the track, the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl's famous fall from grace last year and how he got away with having such an annoying personality for so long without anyone saying anything. Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-07-0420 minAt First ListenLola Young's "Not Like That Anymore" Could Be a Changing of the Guard in Indie MusicWe talk about Lola Young’s embrace of 2010s indie music in her unique brand of soul-pop, and how it confirms a change in alt music, who alt music reaches and who can credibly create it. Tell us about your first listen @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram! Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
2025-06-2614 minAt First ListenBanks' 'Goddess' (2014) with HOLDN - Discussion Is For the PigsGina Petro a.k.a. singer-songwriter HOLDN takes the wheel and assigns us Banks' Goddess debut album, one of the most impactful records for Gina's own musical endeavors. Gina recalls how she backed into being a "singer" in the first place and how she bonded with Banks' music in the back of a van while on tour with her old alternative band. We discuss the merits of seeing concerts alone, where big pop music productions fall short and why all LGBTQ+ kids need a good English lit teacher.Tell us about your first listen at...
2025-06-1949 minAt First ListenIs Kesha's "Boy Crazy" the Most Unhateable Bad Song of the Year?Kesha's new single "BOY CRAZY." is an early contender for song of the summer. We ask ourselves, is Kesha's return a harbinger of an oncoming Boy Summer ... or just a recession indicator.Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode of At First Listen!
2025-06-1207 minAt First ListenCharli xcx's "party 4 u" Is an Old Song but a New HitOn this episode, we ask why a five-year-old song by Charli xcx is suddenly a hit, and whether the indie sleaze vibe of the official music video for “party 4 u” is a recession indicator. Tell us about your first listen at @AtFirstListenPodcast on Instagram. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode of At First Listen!
2025-06-0512 minAt First ListenAvril Lavigne, Simple Plan's "Young & Dumb" Is Begging You To RememberAvril Lavigne released her first new song in a couple of years, and it features her old skate park pals Simple Plan.Like a siren calling out to millennials, "Young and Dumb" might be enough to get the attention of aging emos, but does it have anything more to offer than nostalgia? And is Avril too young to be making these types of songs?Tell us about your first listen via Instagram @AtFirstListenPodcast!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-05-2914 minAt First ListenSly and the Family Stone 'Fresh' (1973) - Sly Lives!Our longest running challenge was to watch the Hulu documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) and listen to Sly & the Family Stone's Fresh album, and after several months, we finally completed it!We discuss what struck us about QuestLove's documentary, the highs of the Fresh album and our respective experiences with Sly and the Family Stone's music in our lives.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode of At First Listen.Connect with us on Instagram @AtFirstListenpodcast. (Episode 35.)
2025-05-2252 minAt First ListenMom's Music: A Mothers Day Episode for Renée and YvonneWe let our moms choose the music for today's episode!We parse through hits from the likes of Stevie Wonder and Carole King, as well as jazz standards, while contemplating how our mothers shaped our musical experiences. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Call your mom. And connect with us via Instagram @AtFirstListenPodcast!(Episode 34.)
2025-05-1544 minAt First ListenIs It Time to Rage Against the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?We react to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2025 class of inductees with Q104.3 New York and iHeartRadio Classic Rock brand boss Eric Wellman. We wrestle with the controversies, compromises and inherent frustrations of the Rock Hall. Eric dives into the Rock Hall’s history and relevance to the radio and music business. Andrew and Dominique weigh the relevance of this year’s nominees and what direction the Rock Hall should take in the future. And, of course, we debate the snubs! Connect with us on Instagram @AtFirstListenPodcast! Subscribe so you don’t...
2025-05-0851 minAt First ListenTalkin' Tok: The Frank Ocean "Solo (Reprise)" Social TrendUsers on social media platforms have been acting Frank Ocean's "Solo" from his 2016 studio album, Blonde. Dominique and Andrew discuss what might have sparked this trend, why Frank Ocean is such a pivotal artist for LGBTQ+-identifying people and André 3000's contribution to the accompanying "Solo (Reprise)" track from the album.Tell us about your first listen via Instagram @AtFirstListenPodcast!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
2025-05-0113 minAt First ListenThe Smiths 'The Queen Is Dead' (1986) with Shem Pennant - Weighing the Morrissey ProblemIt turns out that Americans have been pretty well misinterpreting Smiths songs for quite a long time now. On this episode our guest, comedian and South London native Shem Pennant, leads a seminar on The Smiths and their iconic 1986 album, The Queen Is Dead. Shem offers much needed context to the album, explains why the Smiths’ phenomenon was so uniquely British, and why he doesn’t let Morrissey’s post-Smiths political statements detract from his enjoyment of the band's music.Connect with us via Instagram at @AtFirstListen podcast!Subscribe so you don't miss an episode...
2025-04-2456 minAt First ListenTalkin' Tok: Why No One Is Angry About Rob Apollo's "SHE / THEY"We have a very serious conversation about gender conformance, surrounding a very unserious song by Detroit-based rapper Rob Apollo.Apollo's song "SHE / THEY" has been circulating on TikTok lately, mainly due to a racy lyric in the chorus that you'd think self-righteous Zoomers would hate. Dominique and Andrew discuss what teens, tweens and queer people find so fun about the song, and why no one is actually as mad about pronouns as you think they are.Subscribe so you don't miss an episode of At First Listen!Connect with us on @AtFirstListenPodcast on...
2025-04-1714 minAt First ListenSabrina Carpenter 'Short n' Sweet' (2024) with DiamondDiamond returns to At First Listen to dig into her favorite album of 2024, Sabrina Carpenter's mega-breakthrough Short n' Sweet. With hits like "Espresso," "Please, Please, Please," "Taste" and "Bed Chem," Short n' Sweet is brimming with personality.Diamond says there are multiple hits on the album that she's yet to tire of, and she doesn't meet much resistance from Andrew and Dominique. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode of At First Listen! Tell us about your first listen to Short n' Sweet via Instagram @AtFirstListen podcast!(Episode 31.)
2025-04-1044 minAt First ListenReacting to Chappell Roan's "The Giver": Why is this OK?In this mini episode we're focusing on "The Giver," Chappell Roan's attempt at a lesbian country song that's making waves in the pop music world.Is "The Giver" a legitimate country song or is it a mere novelty — or is it branding? Is any country music legitimate? We also discuss why Chappell Roan is allowed to “go country,” but it was controversial when Beyoncé or Lil Nas X did it.We talk about Chappell's recent SNL performance, and how "The Giver" is makng Dominique more of a fan but Andrew possibly less of a fan?Tel...
2025-04-0412 min