WorkTape JWYL

Are well-established culture giants like Apple Music just pandering the status quo, or are they merely showcasing the best in modern music? Dive into this thought-provoking episode of WorkTape as we examine twenty øne piløts' latest release "Clancy", and dissect Apple Music's 100 Best Albums list. We question whether or not these albums deserve their respective rankings, and give our own perspectives on which ones probably should have made the list. Join us for another intriguing episode!
Episode Highlights:
Did twenty øne piløts redefine themselves with “Clancy”, or did they stick to a familiar formula?Is twenty øne piløts' “blurryface” overhyped?Have twenty øne piløts ever done anything better than “Trench”?Is Pitchfork’s 6.8 rating for Billie Eilish’s “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” merely an edgy take?Are most of Apple Music’s picks for their 100 Best Albums list largely a mirror to current musical trends, rather than a true objective "bests" list?

Join us in this exciting episode of WorkTape as we delve into Billie Eilish's latest, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”, and discuss the needed end of the larger-than-life feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Were their lyrical battles genuine, or just clever and strategic marketing ploys? Additionally, we explore the impact of Apple's latest controversial ad and the role of AI in the modern creative process. Tune in to uncover if these developments signal a bold new direction or a cautious adherence to familiar territory.
Episode Highlights:
Does Billie Eilish’s "HIT ME HARD AND SOFT" hit hard or soft?Is the Kendrick-Drake war (truly) over?Are AI voices over beats essentially the return of the "chipmunk" phenomenon?Does Apple’s new iPad ad depict a dystopian future?Is AI the new "sequencer", merely echoing the widespread music creation processes of the 80s?

Tune in to this episode of WorkTape as we pay homage to Steve Albini, a less celebrated, but pivotal figure in alternative music production known for his work with Nirvana and other iconic bands. Alongside, we scrutinize Spotify’s latest pricing strategy, as well as overview the escalating war between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Don’t miss this intriguing edition!
Episode Highlights:
What made Steve Albini’s style become such a mainstay for alternative production?Was Steve Albini ultimately more “in it” for the music rather than the money?How will Spotify's recent pricing strategy affect independent artists compared to major labels?Has the ongoing rivalry between Drake and Kendrick significantly increased the size of hip-hop's overall spotlight?Has the Drake-Kendrick feud become a "once-in-a-generation" spectacle?

In this episode of WorkTape, we delve into the dramatic shifts in music retail, exemplified by the transformation of stores like Sam Ash into digital entities, and discuss how these changes impact both artists and consumers. We also explore the recent ongoing feud between hip-hop’s “The Big Three”. Are these feuds genuine expressions of artistic rivalry or just mere publicity stunts? Join us as we unravel how the music industry's evolving landscape is influencing modern music and reshaping artist relationships.
Episode Highlights:
What do Sam Ash’s physical store closures say about the the shift from traditional music retail?Is Sweetwater doing music retail better than anyone out there?How did the beef between Kendrick, Drake, and J. Cole start?Did Kendrick take the Drake hate too far?Did J. Cole make a smart decision in “tapping out” early?

Are edgy lyrics creative brilliance or just kinda sus? Join us this episode as we explore the realm of shady lyrics that stir the pot in the music scape. Questioning whether they push artistic boundaries or merely cross lines of decency, we tackle infamous lines from artists like Sting, Rick Ross, and many others—examining whether these choices are bold moves or serious missteps. Tune in to discover if pushing lyrical limits is a mark of innovation, or just an unnecessary risk by courting controversy.
Episode Highlights:
Would Taylor Swift’s lyrics throughout certain parts in “The Tortured Poets Department” be sus if both genders were reversed?Can a song with sus lyrics still be considered a masterpiece?Does society hold certain artists to different standards when it comes to controversial lyrics?Are controversial lyrics often a marketing strategy more than they are form of artistic expression?Are bad poetry and poor lyricism excused all too often with modern hip-hop than with other genres?Are lyrics in punk often more unhinged than lyrics in other genres?

Is creative comfort hindering true artistic innovation? Dive into this compelling episode of WorkTape as we dissect Taylor Swift's latest release "Tortured Poets Department", and the prevalent trend of musical safety among top artists. We discuss Swift’s collaboration with Jack Antonoff, exploring whether the iconic duo's familiar sonic landscape is a strategic choice or a creative rut. Join us to uncover whether staying within established musical boundaries leads to sustained success or if the real breakthroughs in art require stepping into the unknown.
Episode Highlights:
Did Jack Antonoff make or break “Tortured Poets Department”?Are artists like Taylor Swift playing it safe by sticking to a proven formula?How does "Tortured Poets Department" compare to Taylor’s earlier work?Do The National lend better to Taylor’s style than Jack Antonoff does?Would Billie Eilish, along with similar artists, exist if it were not for Lana Del Rey?Did Taylor go too far with her 1800s lyric in “I Hate It Here”?