60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Suzy Exposito, music journalist for outlets like the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, offers sharp perspective on Shakira’s rise from Barranquilla rock prodigy to global pop star. She discusses Laundry Service and the crossover moment, the making and structure of “Hips Don’t Lie,” Wyclef’s role, Shakira’s bilingual artistry, and her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame case.

Chandler Levack, Canadian writer and filmmaker known for Mile End Kicks, joins to talk Montreal vs Toronto music scenes and Feist’s strange career arc. They trace Feist’s punk roots, her breakout via a viral '1234' moment, and how that fame shaped her later work and Chandler’s film choices. Short, lively takes on scene-building, nostalgia, and the costs of mainstream success.

Garrett Kamps, veteran Bay Area music journalist who covered the 'freak folk' scene, recalls witnessing Joanna Newsom’s early performances. He describes the hush of her acapella openings, the harp’s raw intimacy, and the lyrical boldness of the 12-minute song Emily. They trace her move from lo-fi CDRs to grand orchestration and why early fans felt fiercely protective.

Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Canadian writer and broadcaster, joins to revisit Montreal and Toronto’s indie moments. They unpack Wolf Parade’s sudden resurgence via a TV needle drop. Short takes on misheard lyrics, the band’s live ferocity, how scenes form, and why viral reheat culture reshapes how we hear old songs.

Cole Cuchna, podcast host and music analyst behind Dissect, offers a concise In Rainbows mini bio. He breaks down lyrical ambiguity in “All I Need.” They dissect the song’s slow-burn production, Johnny Greenwood’s orchestral outro technique, and why In Rainbows resonated with a new generation.

Bartees Strange, genre-blending singer-songwriter known for inventive indie rock, chats about TV on the Radio and why “Wolf Like Me” hits so hard. He recalls discovering the Letterman performance, explains why the song’s live power eclipses the studio, and discusses covering it to explore otherness and musical identity.

Open Mike Eagle, rapper, podcaster, and comedian known for witty, thoughtful lyricism, joins to discuss collaborating with MF Doom and the power of masked personas. They unpack Madlib and Doom’s chemistry. Conversations hit comic-book aesthetics, remote collaboration stories, Doombots, and why concealment can free creativity.

Chuck Klosterman, author and cultural critic, recounts interviewing the White Stripes and reflects on their odd chemistry. The conversation centers on why the eight-bar riff of “Seven Nation Army” became a global stadium chant. They explore Meg and Jack White’s minimalist dynamics, the song’s transformation into folklike territory, and how one track can eclipse a band’s wider catalog.

Leslie Gray Streeter, columnist and memoirist, reflects on Kelis’s genre-defying presence. They explore the shock and playfulness of “Milkshake.” Conversations focus on blurred genre lines, female anger as comedy and power, and Kelis’s unapologetic identity and career aftermath.

Rob Mahoney, senior staff writer for The Ringer and longtime music commentator, joins to unpack Paramore and the rise of “Misery Business.” He examines Riot!'s messy, thrilling lyrics and Hayley Williams’s powerhouse vocals. They trace Paramore’s jump from teen band to arena anthems and debate evolving performance choices and fandom culture.