Hearing Things
@hearingthingsco.bsky.social
Independent music journalism. No algorithms. We promise.
"There have been times where people are like, 'I read your book and then I canceled Spotify and I got Apple Music!' That kind of misses a lot of the point that this book lands on." – 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 author Liz Pelly
Liz Pelly on the Impact of Her Anti-Spotify Book ‘Mood Machine’ and Where We Go From Here
“The point is to encourage people to reject the idea that it’s a one-click solution.”
www.hearingthings.co
January 14, 2026 at 1:31 PM
"There have been times where people are like, 'I read your book and then I canceled Spotify and I got Apple Music!' That kind of misses a lot of the point that this book lands on." – 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 author Liz Pelly
"There’s a lot of layers to the way I explore being horny in my music: It’s for my inner child, my inner teen, and Black women as a whole. Nine Inch Nails helped awaken that."
Keiyaa Breaks Down 12 Perfectly Produced Songs
The R&B innovator dissects tracks by faves including Britney Spears, Brandy, and Nine Inch Nails, explaining how they inspired the sound of her brilliant 2025 album ‘Hooke’s Law.’
www.hearingthings.co
January 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"There’s a lot of layers to the way I explore being horny in my music: It’s for my inner child, my inner teen, and Black women as a whole. Nine Inch Nails helped awaken that."
Pitfalls, deceptions, and doubt lurk around every corner of life, but to this rapper and producer, stepping out the crib is just the first step toward charting a better path
Super-Useful Seasonal Depression Soundtracks
A Singaporean rapper, a symphonic UK band, an artful club producer, and more music for working out the doldrums.
www.hearingthings.co
January 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Pitfalls, deceptions, and doubt lurk around every corner of life, but to this rapper and producer, stepping out the crib is just the first step toward charting a better path
I’m confident Hayley Williams can make a classic solo album. This ain't it.
The Most Overrated Albums of 2025
The albums that made us go "huh?" this year, from a lifeless rap sequel to a certain spectacularly hyped indie rock record.
www.hearingthings.co
January 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I’m confident Hayley Williams can make a classic solo album. This ain't it.
Doechii’s new single is so lethal it’s peaceful. Blast some essential oils, turn down the overheads, fuck a limitation, breathe in, and have a blesséd day.
Robyn's Sexistentialist Treatise
Plus: Doechii and SZA chillax, Bonnie "Prince" Billy holes up, and more.
www.hearingthings.co
January 9, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Doechii’s new single is so lethal it’s peaceful. Blast some essential oils, turn down the overheads, fuck a limitation, breathe in, and have a blesséd day.
It’s cringe, it’s camp, it’s cunty—it’s sexistentialism, baby
Robyn's Sexistentialist Treatise
Plus: Doechii and SZA chillax, Bonnie "Prince" Billy holes up, and more.
www.hearingthings.co
January 8, 2026 at 9:40 PM
It’s cringe, it’s camp, it’s cunty—it’s sexistentialism, baby
Diana Ross' "Upside Down" is a dancefloor staple, a good-time classic—and the most haunting and effective exploration of the subconscious ever to hit No. 1 on the pop charts. Allow me to explain.
The Psychological Horror of Diana Ross' "Upside Down"
A close look at the mysterious underpinnings of a disco classic.
www.hearingthings.co
January 7, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Diana Ross' "Upside Down" is a dancefloor staple, a good-time classic—and the most haunting and effective exploration of the subconscious ever to hit No. 1 on the pop charts. Allow me to explain.
I’ll admit that I like 𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 (even with its saggy middle), but in my mind, the wildly positive critical embrace of Geese and Cameron Winter says more about the listener than the musicians
The Most Overrated Albums of 2025
The albums that made us go "huh?" this year, from a lifeless rap sequel to a certain spectacularly hyped indie rock record.
www.hearingthings.co
January 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I’ll admit that I like 𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 (even with its saggy middle), but in my mind, the wildly positive critical embrace of Geese and Cameron Winter says more about the listener than the musicians
"Kanye is somebody who taught me how to express emotions. I miss Kanye, it’s really sad."
Keiyaa Breaks Down 12 Perfectly Produced Songs
The R&B innovator dissects tracks by faves including Britney Spears, Brandy, and Nine Inch Nails, explaining how they inspired the sound of her brilliant 2025 album ‘Hooke’s Law.’
www.hearingthings.co
January 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
"Kanye is somebody who taught me how to express emotions. I miss Kanye, it’s really sad."
Do you throw your integrity out the window in order to eat? Have you fixed your face to ask Bbymutha to make a club appearance for free? If so, there are a few two-piece fist combos waiting for you inside her latest EP
Bbymutha Is Coming For Everybody
Plus: a Venezuelan band processes the moment, a Gen Z songwriter leaves virality behind, a beloved post-punk band mines the historical archives, and more.
www.hearingthings.co
January 6, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Do you throw your integrity out the window in order to eat? Have you fixed your face to ask Bbymutha to make a club appearance for free? If so, there are a few two-piece fist combos waiting for you inside her latest EP
Was Julianne being held hostage by a Sabrina Carpenter stan during the taping of our latest podcast episode? You're going to have to listen to find out!
Our ‘Waste or Taste’ Podcast Is Back!
The new season kicks off with an episode all about our most controversial favorite songs of the past year—the ones we’re kind of embarrassed to enjoy, but enjoy nonetheless.
www.hearingthings.co
January 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Was Julianne being held hostage by a Sabrina Carpenter stan during the taping of our latest podcast episode? You're going to have to listen to find out!
Is there anything redeeming about AI music? A personal investigation...
Do I Really Have to Care About AI Music Now?
Thoughts on what—if anything—generative AI programs like Suno could bring to the future of music.
www.hearingthings.co
January 5, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Is there anything redeeming about AI music? A personal investigation...
We held a Hearing Things summit to talk about songs from the past year that we're sort of embarrassed to like, and then recorded the ensuing madness
Our ‘Waste or Taste’ Podcast Is Back!
The new season kicks off with an episode all about our most controversial favorite songs of the past year—the ones we’re kind of embarrassed to enjoy, but enjoy nonetheless.
www.hearingthings.co
January 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
We held a Hearing Things summit to talk about songs from the past year that we're sort of embarrassed to like, and then recorded the ensuing madness
New year, new episode of our Waste or Taste podcast!
Our ‘Waste or Taste’ Podcast Is Back!
The new season kicks off with an episode all about our most controversial favorite songs of the past year—the ones we’re kind of embarrassed to enjoy, but enjoy nonetheless.
www.hearingthings.co
January 2, 2026 at 2:47 PM
New year, new episode of our Waste or Taste podcast!
Let's leave the hype for these records in 2025.
The Most Overrated Albums of 2025
The albums that made us go "huh?" this year, from a lifeless rap sequel to a certain spectacularly hyped indie rock record.
www.hearingthings.co
December 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Let's leave the hype for these records in 2025.
"I’m really just getting an outlet to talk about things that I’m going through every single day. And luckily, I have a lot of fucked up material to work with." A conversation with the rapper who's posted a verse every day this year
Meet the Most Productive Musician of 2025
A chat with Cure for Paranoia’s Cameron McCloud, who went viral this year by posting a new political and playful rap verse every single day.
www.hearingthings.co
December 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
"I’m really just getting an outlet to talk about things that I’m going through every single day. And luckily, I have a lot of fucked up material to work with." A conversation with the rapper who's posted a verse every day this year
For our latest edition of The Producers, we spoke to alt-R&B innovator KeiyaA, who broke down songs by artists like Brandy, Britney Spears, and Nine Inch Nails, and explains how they Influenced her brillaint sophomore album 'Hooke's Law'.
Keiyaa Breaks Down 12 Perfectly Produced Songs
The R&B innovator dissects tracks by faves including Britney Spears, Brandy, and Nine Inch Nails, explaining how they inspired the sound of her brilliant 2025 album ‘Hooke’s Law.’
www.hearingthings.co
December 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
For our latest edition of The Producers, we spoke to alt-R&B innovator KeiyaA, who broke down songs by artists like Brandy, Britney Spears, and Nine Inch Nails, and explains how they Influenced her brillaint sophomore album 'Hooke's Law'.
The title track from the latest Destroyer album, 𝘋𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦, sounds like cruise music for a cruise that has been lost in the Bermuda Triangle for decades
Ryan’s Favorite Music of 2025
The sounds that struck me most this year, including subversive slowcore, deranged future-pop, apocalyptic techno, and more.
www.hearingthings.co
December 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The title track from the latest Destroyer album, 𝘋𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦, sounds like cruise music for a cruise that has been lost in the Bermuda Triangle for decades
Cindy Lee live is more of a haunting than a concert. Here's why it was one of our favorite shows this year:
Jill’s Favorite Music of 2025
From experimental pop’s new main girlies to indie rock’s most reliable players, here’s a glimpse at my year in albums, songs, and live shows.
www.hearingthings.co
December 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Cindy Lee live is more of a haunting than a concert. Here's why it was one of our favorite shows this year:
“Love Takes Miles” makes me want to dance like Charlie Brown characters in a room with everyone I love, and really, what greater compliment in life is there?
Jill’s Favorite Music of 2025
From experimental pop’s new main girlies to indie rock’s most reliable players, here’s a glimpse at my year in albums, songs, and live shows.
www.hearingthings.co
December 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
“Love Takes Miles” makes me want to dance like Charlie Brown characters in a room with everyone I love, and really, what greater compliment in life is there?
Long Island rapper-producer Theravada is a healthy skeptic. On his standout album 'The Years We Have', The collapse of empire isn’t enough to scare him—he’ll be here, Maharishi sweatpants on, ready to shoot basketballs through your complacency.
Dylan’s Favorite Independent Rap Records of 2025
My favorite rap under-the-radar rap releases of 2025, from Bay Area swag rap and psychedelic freakouts to a euphoric footwork/juke/rap hybrid
www.hearingthings.co
December 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Long Island rapper-producer Theravada is a healthy skeptic. On his standout album 'The Years We Have', The collapse of empire isn’t enough to scare him—he’ll be here, Maharishi sweatpants on, ready to shoot basketballs through your complacency.
Not all songwriters are tortured poets, but the good ones—like Fortunato Durutti Marinetti—at least respect the cruelty of an empty page, the thankless hunt for an apt metaphor, and the effort required to tame stray thoughts into lines worth singing
Ryan’s Favorite Music of 2025
The sounds that struck me most this year, including subversive slowcore, deranged future-pop, apocalyptic techno, and more.
www.hearingthings.co
December 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Not all songwriters are tortured poets, but the good ones—like Fortunato Durutti Marinetti—at least respect the cruelty of an empty page, the thankless hunt for an apt metaphor, and the effort required to tame stray thoughts into lines worth singing
Tunisian producer Kadijah Al Hanafi’s '!OK!' candy-colored approach to dancefloor chants, obscure R&B and soul samples will have you ready to inline skate your way through a brick wall.
Dylan’s Favorite Independent Rap Records of 2025
My favorite rap under-the-radar rap releases of 2025, from Bay Area swag rap and psychedelic freakouts to a euphoric footwork/juke/rap hybrid
www.hearingthings.co
December 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Tunisian producer Kadijah Al Hanafi’s '!OK!' candy-colored approach to dancefloor chants, obscure R&B and soul samples will have you ready to inline skate your way through a brick wall.
Haunted synth folk, top-tier rap shit-talk, dance music that hits like a mini meditation retreat, and a power-pop strummer guaranteed to make you forget it's winter for at least one minute
Music to Make You Feel Invincible
Each in their own way, this week's selections will have you walking around like no one can touch you.
www.hearingthings.co
December 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Haunted synth folk, top-tier rap shit-talk, dance music that hits like a mini meditation retreat, and a power-pop strummer guaranteed to make you forget it's winter for at least one minute
Music that made Julianne actually feel something when the easiest alternative was to dissociate from the chaos, from glittering techno to sub-bassy pop to innovative folk to Katseye's "Gnarly"
Julianne's Favorite Music of 2025
The big-idea music that inspired me most this year, from Afro-Colombian orchestral pop to epic folk about the state of labor to, of course, Bad Bunny.
www.hearingthings.co
December 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Music that made Julianne actually feel something when the easiest alternative was to dissociate from the chaos, from glittering techno to sub-bassy pop to innovative folk to Katseye's "Gnarly"