Episode notes

This week, the gang (minus Guy) is joined by Gerrick Kennedy, music writer at the Los Angeles Times, to discuss the best album releases of 2017. For the first time in 33 years, there are no women in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100’s chart. The gang discusses whether they think this is a fluke or a trend, how they think streaming services affect the numbers, and what this means for women musicians of color. They discuss the importance of the new Kendrick Lamar album Damn. and about early contestants for “The Song of the Summer” title. They talk about whether they think Ed Sheeran is creepy and why Harry Styles is a #HeForShe hero. Then, in lieu of jams and because Coachella just kicked off the start to the music festival season, the panel tells us about their dream music festivals-where they would be, who would be playing, and how much they would cost. All of this, plus each panelist tells us what they’re all about.

Margaret Wappler, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Gerrick Kennedy

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

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Other Links:

Phil Elverum Pitchfork Piece by Jayson Greene

Here Lies Love

Ed Sheeran’s Rolling Stone cover story

No Women in Hot 100’s top 10 For The First Time in 33 years

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org