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Lorde released her first full-length album, Pure Heroine, back in 2013 and it struck a chord around the world, selling 5 million copies, picking up two Grammys and inspiring a new generation of pop artists.Four years later Lorde returned with her follow-up, the critically acclaimed but much less commercially successful, Melodrama.Another four years down the track, she’s back with her third album, Solar Power. It’s a pretty big gear shift, and the sunny, warm sound reflects the new, luxe lifestyle Lorde has been living. The same kind of lifestyle she mocked backed on Pure Heroine. The reception has been pretty mixed, and the fan and critical reaction divisive.This week, culture writer and critic Elle Hunt joins The Culture to help break down the album, and why it isn’t quite landing the same way as Lorde’s earlier work.Guest: Culture writer and critic Elle HuntBackground reading: Review: Lorde’s Solar Power in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was just a couple of weeks ago that the Prime Minister, along with state and territory leaders, signed off a plan to end lockdowns and border closures when vaccine rates reached 80 percent of the adult population.But it didn’t take long for the so-called national plan to fall apart, with states and the federal government spending the last week bickering over Australia’s roadmap out of this crisis.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the battle over when to open the country up… and the Prime Minister’s strange decision to invoke an animated movie to help argue his case.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As scientists, and the United Nations, continue to warn about the likely impacts of climate change, the federal government is spending big to help prop up the gas industry.One company in particular has been the sole beneficiary of a government fund established to help drill for gas in the Northern Territory. That company, which has links to the Liberal Party, has been quietly lobbying for federal support for months.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on the question marks around another government grant process, and why Australia continues to subsidise fossil fuels.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.Background reading: Morrison ministers lobbied over Beetaloo Basin in The Saturday PaperSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In November 2020, an Instagram account began to publish anonymous stories of harassment, abuse and assault in the Australian music industry. These were stories that journalist Ruby Jones had heard whispers about before. But when she started looking into them, she found that the allegations were much worse than she had thought, and that they were an open secret in the music industry. Everybody Knows is a new five-part podcast series from the makers of Australia's number one daily news podcast, 7am. Follow Ruby as she investigates what has held back the MeToo Movement in Australia and whether this new wave of women speaking out could be the start of a true reckoning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most concerning outbreaks of Covid-19 in the country right now is taking place in western NSW.Towns like Wilcannia and Walgett have high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and some of the lowest vaccination rates in the state.When the pandemic hit the region only eight percent of Indigenous people were fully vaccinated.Now, with the virus spreading fast, there are serious concerns for the community.Today, Bhiamie Williamson on the situation on the ground in western NSW. Guest: ANU research associate and Euahlayi man, Bhiamie WilliamsonStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Covid-19 case numbers continue to reach record highs in NSW, so too do hospitalisations and intensive care admissions.Now, a leaked document from the National Cabinet has revealed that the state’s hospitals could soon reach a tipping point.Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton, on exactly who is being hospitalised with Covid-19 and how close our hospitals really are to capacity.Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick MortonStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After twenty years of war, invasion and occupation, US-led forces in Afghanistan, including Australian defence personnel have finally withdrawn, ending one of the longest military engagements in modern history.Within weeks of the withdrawal the Taliban, who were officially deposed at the beginning of the conflict, swept the country, seizing the capital, Kabul, and retaking control.Now there are fears for millions of Afghans facing life under a repressive regime.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton and political analyst in Kabul Ramish Salimi, on the latest developments in Afghanistan, how we got to this point, and what the future looks like for Afghans.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Armstrong, former AFL player and sports presenter on ABC News Breakfast, joins The Culture to talk about a show one of the most heartwarming TV shows out right now - ‘Ted Lasso’.The first season dropped on Apple TV last year, starring Jason Sudeikis as the small-time US football coach, who ends up coaching a UK Premier League soccer team. The show went on to make history, scoring 20 Emmy nominations, the most ever for the first season of a comedy.We’re about halfway through the second season now, so Osman and Tony came together to chat about how ‘Ted Lasso’ is much, much more than just a comedy about sports.Guest: Former AFL player and sports presenter on ABC News Breakfast Tony ArmstrongFollow The Culture on InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the federal government was caught out without a clear plan on two of the biggest crises facing the world right now: the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan.In both instances, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been accused of not sufficiently preparing for outcomes that many had predicted, and responding too defensively.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether being underprepared is now a feature of Scott Morrison’s leadership - and what the consequences are. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outbreaks of Covid-19 are continuing to spread across the country, hitting largely unvaccinated and unprepared populations.Eighteen months into the pandemic many Australians are feeling exhausted, and compliance with public health measures is dropping off - leading governments to ramp up policing efforts.Today, infectious disease and pandemic response expert Dr Alexandra Phelan on the situation in Australia, how governments can maintain public trust, and what the end game looks like.Guest: Member of the Center for Global Health Science and Security, Dr Alexandra PhelanStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.