Music Podcasts
14 podcasts in this category
Explore the best music podcasts featuring artist interviews, deep-dive album analysis, music history, and discussions on music theory and industry trends. From classical and jazz to pop and hip-hop, discover the stories behind the songs you love.
Looking for the best?
Best Music podcasts
See our hand-picked top recommendations with detailed reviews
Dissect
A serialized music podcast that examines a single album per season, one song per episode. Unrivaled academic and emotional depth, treating modern albums with the respect of classical literature.
Song Exploder
A podcast where musicians take apart their songs and tell the story of how they were made. An immersive and highly technical deep-dive into the DNA of the world's most famous songs.
Twenty Thousand Hertz
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. A brilliant exploration of sound design and its hidden impact on our emotions and culture.
All Songs Considered
The ultimate podcast for discovering new music from established legends to tomorrow's stars. The gold standard for thoughtful, intelligent music discovery.
Broken Record
Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond interview the world's greatest musicians about their craft.
Louder Than A Riot
Rhyme and punishment in America. NPR Music traces the collision of hip-hop and mass incarceration. Unprecedented investigation into how hip-hop and mass incarceration are inextricably linked.
Popcast
Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for The New York Times, covers everything new in popular music with fellow critics. High-level critical analysis of popular music trends from the NYT's top experts.
Questlove Supreme
A fun, irreverent and educational weekly podcast that digs deep into the stories of musical legends and cultural icons. The bridge between musical mastery and cultural history, hosted by a true legend of the craft.
Rolling Stone Music Now
The writers and editors of Rolling Stone take you inside the biggest stories in music. Access to the deep reporting and historical archive of Rolling Stone magazine.
Snap Judgment
Riveting stories with a tweaked tweaked tweaked boosted beat. Storytelling with a beat. Storytelling fused with original music and beats, centered on diverse and underrepresented voices.
Sound Opinions
Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are the world's only rock 'n' roll talk show, reviewing albums and interviewing artists. The world's longest-running and most respected rock criticism podcast.
Story Pirates
Stories written by kids, performed by professional actors and comedians. Empowers children by turning their own creative writing into professional productions.
Switched on Pop
A podcast about the making and meaning of popular music, hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding.
Tiny Desk Concerts (Audio)
The audio version of the iconic NPR Tiny Desk concert series, featuring intimate performances from the world's best artists.
About Music Podcasts
About Music Podcasts
Music podcasts offer a deeper appreciation of the art form that soundtracks our lives. They go beyond playlists and streaming algorithms to explore the stories, techniques, and cultural forces behind the music we love.
Why Listen to Music Podcasts?
Streaming services are great for discovering new songs, but they rarely help you understand them. Music podcasts bridge that gap by deconstructing albums, interviewing artists, exploring genre histories, and analyzing the production techniques that make great music great. They help you hear familiar songs in completely new ways.
What You’ll Find
- Song & Album Analysis: Deep dives into the structure, lyrics, and production of individual songs and landmark albums.
- Artist Interviews: Intimate conversations with musicians about their creative process, influences, and career journeys.
- Genre Histories: Explorations of the origins and evolution of hip-hop, jazz, rock, electronic, classical, and more.
- Music Industry: Behind-the-scenes looks at the business of music, from record labels and streaming economics to touring and merchandising.
- Sound Design: How sound shapes our emotions and experiences, from the Netflix “ta-dum” to concert hall acoustics.
Who Should Listen?
- Musicians & Producers looking to improve their craft and learn from the greats
- Music Lovers who want to go deeper than just passive listening
- Students of Music seeking analysis and context for their studies
- Industry Professionals staying current with the music business
- Anyone who believes music is more than background noise
Related Podcasts
Frequently Asked Questions about Podcasts
Q. What are the best podcasts for music analysis?
Dissect and Switched on Pop provide incredible deep dives into the structure and meaning of popular music.
Q. Which podcasts feature artist interviews?
Questlove Supreme and Broken Record are famous for their legendary, long-form conversations with music icons.
Q. Is there a podcast for new music discovery?
All Songs Considered from NPR is a fantastic way to discover emerging artists and new releases.
Q. What are the best music podcasts?
Song Exploder, Dissect, and Switched on Pop are among the best music podcasts. They offer deep analysis of songwriting, production, and the stories behind your favorite records.
Q. Are there podcasts about music production?
Yes! Song Exploder features artists deconstructing their songs track by track, and Twenty Thousand Hertz explores the science of sound design. Both are essential for aspiring producers.
Know a Great Music Podcast?
Help us grow this directory by submitting podcasts you love. We review every submission manually to ensure quality.
Submit a Podcast