Dissect

By The Ringer

What's Dissect about?

Analyzing the music and meaning of one album per season, one song per episode. Join host Cole Cuchna as he dives deep into albums by Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Radiohead, Beyonce, Tyler The Creator, Frank Ocean, and more. Let's Dissect.

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Dissect episodes:

04.23.2024
S12E5 - Raid / Curls by Madvillain
Our dissection of MF DOOM and Madlib's Madvillainy continues with the songs "Raid" and "Curls." S12 Merch is available for a limited time here. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Co-Writer: Camden Ostrander Additional Production: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music:...
04.16.2024
S12E4 - Meat Grinder by Madvillain
Our season long dissection of MF DOOM and Madlib's Madvillainy continues with its third track "Meat Grinder" - a complex lyrical odyssey accompanied by an equally impressive beat. Dissect S12 merchandise is now available here. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP:...
04.09.2024
S12E3 - Accordion by Madvillain
We begin our season-long analysis of MF DOOM and Madlib's collaborative classic Madvillainy. We revisit the circumstances that brought the two together, then dive into the album's opening track "The Illest Villains" before our line by line analysis of "Accordion." Support...
04.05.2024
Dissecting Operation Doomsday's Best Bars
S12 co-writer Camden Ostrander and The Ringer's Justin Sayles joins the show to nominate and dissect our favorite lines from MF DOOM's Operation Doomsday (0:50). Then we share our line by line analysis of the second and third verses of...
04.02.2024
S12E2 - Operation: Doomsday by MF DOOM
Our celebration of MF DOOM continues with his debut Operation: Doomsday, an album in which DOOM lays the foundation for his multi-character musical universe. Through a detailed analysis of a few key samples and verses, we’ll discover the very human...
03.26.2024
S12E1 - MF DOOM: A Hero in a Villain's Mask
Season 12 of Dissect celebrates the life and legacy of MF DOOM through a line by line, beat by beat analysis of his art. Most of the season will be spent dissecting DOOM and Madlib’s classic album Madvillainy, but we’ll...
03.19.2024
Season 12 begins March 26th (Album Clue Inside!)
Dissect returns Tuesday, March 26th for its 12th season! Follow the album clue contest on our Instagram leading up to the album reveal on Saturday, March 23rd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
12.19.2023
Our Favorite Music of 2023
Cole is joined by Dissect co-writer Camden Ostrander and The Ringer's Justin Sayles and Charles Holmes to share their favorite music of the year. Official companion playlist here. Purchase Dissect merch here. Current state of music and hip hop in 2023...
12.14.2023
Radiohead Song Draft
The Ringer's Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan join Cole to draft their favorite Radiohead songs. Each of them must choose one song from every studio album, plus one wild card pick from the band's b-sides for a total of 10...
12.12.2023
Talking Radiohead w/ Dr. Brad Osborn + Listener Submissions
Acclaimed Radiohead scholar Dr. Brad Osborn joins the show to talk all things Radiohead. We discuss the infamous In Rainbows x OK Computer "Binary Theory," In Rainbows' Disk 2, share our Top 5 Radiohead albums, and a lot more. Then we...
12.05.2023
S11E11 - Videotape by Radiohead (Season Finale)
We conclude our season long analysis of Radiohead's In Rainbows with its final track "Videotape." We reveal the "secret rhythm" of the piano, give a step by step explanation of the stuttering percussion, and discuss the touching lyrics written from...
11.28.2023
S11E10 - Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead
We continue our dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows with its penultimate track "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" - a song about looking for romantic connection at a bar. Among the many things discussed is the song's odd guitar tuning, chiastic structure,...
11.21.2023
S11E9 - House of Cards by Radiohead
Our season long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with an analysis of "House of Cards" - an immersive, reverb-soaked musing on the nature of desire and escape. We'll also cover the musical oddities in the track, including Jonny Greenwood's...
11.15.2023
S11E8 - Reckoner by Radiohead
Our season long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with an analysis of "Reckoner" - the song Thom Yorke described as the thematic center of the album, the point that everything leads to and then recedes from. We'll dissect just...
11.07.2023
S11E7 - "In Rainbows" Title Analysis + Faust Arp
Our season long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with an analysis of its title and how its themes have appeared in every song thus far. Then we examine the album's sixth track "Faust Arp" - a unique song that...
10.31.2023
S11E6 - All I Need by Radiohead
Our season long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with its fifth track "All I Need" - a song that expresses the concept of limerence or the unrequited obsession passion for someone. Musically, we explore the concepts of rhythmic dissonance,...
10.24.2023
S11E5 - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi by Radiohead
Our season long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with its fourth track "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi" - an incredibly intricate musical arrangement that's considered among the band's best. We dissect the layered, multi-pattern guitar parts that create the song's...
10.17.2023
S11E4 - Nude by Radiohead
Our season-long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with its third track "Nude" - a song that took the band 10 years to get right. Listen to the Key Notes episode on the Minor 4 chord here. Support Dissect by leaving a...
10.10.2023
S11E3 - Bodysnatchers by Radiohead
Our season-long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with its second track, Bodysnatchers - an adrenaline-fueled romp that explores the phenonemon of feeling disconnected from your own body. Support Dissect by leaving a review or sharing on social media. It really...
10.03.2023
S11E2 - 15 Step by Radiohead
Our season long analysis of Radiohead's In Rainbows continues with its opening track "15 Step." We examine the song's unique asymmetrical time signature, its origins as a "rhythm experiment," the history of the number 15 in Radiohead songs, and much...
09.26.2023
S11E1 - Radiohead: In Rainbows
Our season long dissection of Radiohead's In Rainbows begins with a sweeping biography of the band, from their origins in Oxford, England to their historic run of landmark albums like The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A. Support Dissect by leaving...
09.19.2023
We're back!
Dissect has returned to all podcast platforms! Our brand new season premieres Tuesday, September 26th. For clues about what album is being dissected, follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
08.29.2023
Crowning Frank Ocean's Best Song Ever | LAST SONG STANDING (E5)
After Cole and Charles's enlightening, contentious, and entertaining odyssey through Frank Ocean's entire discography, the LSS Boyz are now forced to agree on the greatest Frank Ocean song of all time. They also announce the winner of the "Super Quiz...
08.22.2023
Blonde | LAST SONG STANDING (E4)
Cole and Charles continue their journey to crown Frank Ocean's greatest song of all time with his landmark album, Blonde. The LSS Boyz take us back to the album's surprise release, quiz each other with album facts, and then debate...
08.15.2023
Endless + Frank's Singles & Features | LAST SONG STANDING (E3)
Cole and Charles continue their journey to crown Frank Ocean's greatest song of all time with a special double episode tackling the staircase to nowhere, Endless, plus debate Frank's singles, loosies, and features. Official LSS S2 Playlist here. Let us know what...
08.08.2023
Nostalgia, Ultra | LAST SONG STANDING (E2)
Cole and Charles continue their journey to crown Frank Ocean's greatest song of all time with Nostalgia, ULTRA - the project that put him on the map. The LSS Boyz travel back to 2011 with some mixtape background, quiz each...
08.01.2023
Channel Orange | LAST SONG STANDING (E1)
Cole and Charles begin their journey to crown Frank Ocean's greatest song of all time by covering the album that made him a star: Channel Orange. The LSS Boyz take us back to 2012 with some album background, quiz each...
05.30.2023
MX1E9 - "Walking" by Denzel Curry
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape series concludes with a line-by-line dissection of "Walkin" by Denzel Curry from Melt My Eyez, See Your Future. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about...
05.23.2023
MX1E8 - "Figaro" by MF Doom
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape series continues with a line-by-line dissection of "Figaro" by MF DOOM & Madlib from their 2004 album Madvillainy. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about...
05.16.2023
MX1E7 - "Mural" by Lupe Fiasco (PART 2)
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape series continues with a line by line dissection of "Mural" by Lupe Fiasco from his 2015 album Tetsuo & Youth. Part 2 of 2. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn...
05.09.2023
MX1E6 - "Mural" by Lupe Fiasco (PART 1)
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape series continues with a line by line dissection of "Mural" by Lupe Fiasco from his 2015 album Tetsuo & Youth. Part 1 of 2. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn...
05.02.2023
MX1E5 - "Introvert" by Little Simz
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape series continues with a line by line dissection of "Introvert" by Little Simz from her 2021 album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about...
04.25.2023
MX1E4 - "The Story of OJ" by JAY-Z
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape continues with a line-by-line analysis of JAY-Z's 2017 track "The Story of OJ" from 4:44. For clues on what artist and song we're dissecting next week, follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram. Host: Cole Cuchna Writer: Femi Olutade Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn...
04.18.2023
MX1E3 - "6 Foot 7 Foot" by Lil Wayne
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape continues with a line-by-line dissection of Lil Wayne's first song released after his stint in prison - 2010's "6 foot 7 Foot." Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Host/Writer/EP: Cole Cuchna Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn more about...
04.11.2023
MX1E2 - "Nosetalgia" by Pusha T & Kendrick Lamar
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape continues with a line-by-line analysis of Pusha T's 2013 track "Nosetalgia" featuring Kendrick Lamar. For clues on what artist and song we're dissecting next week, follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram. Host, writer: Cole Cuchna Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn...
04.04.2023
MX1E1 - "The Climb Back" by J Cole
Our "Lyrical Masters" mixtape kicks off with a line-by-line analysis of J Cole's 2020 track "The Climb Back." For clues on what artist and song we're dissecting next week, follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram. Host, writer: Cole Cuchna Producer: Justin Sayles Audio Editing: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Learn...
01.24.2023
Tyler, The Creator Song Draft (BONUS)
Cole and Cam wrap Season 10 with a draft of their favorite Tyler, The Creator songs across his entire catalog (3:26). Then we hear from Dissect listeners across the world sharing their biggest takeaways from IGOR (1:12:35). Shop Season 10 merchandise here....
01.17.2023
S10E12 - Season Finale: IGOR by Tyler, The Creator
We conclude our season-long analysis of IGOR by exploring the implications of the album's musical and thematic loop. We also dissect IGOR's cover art and influences before hearing from Dissect listeners around the world sharing their biggest takeaways from the...
01.10.2023
S10E11 - ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of IGOR continues with ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?, the album's final track in which Tyler expresses his desire to remain friends his with former crush, and in the process, puts himself at risk of becoming entrapped in...
01.03.2023
S10E10 - I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of IGOR continues with I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE, a musical respite after the emotional gauntlet of the album's previous track GONE GONE / THANK YOU. As the IGOR's penultimate track, it buttons up many of the...
12.13.2022
S10E9 - GONE GONE / THANK YOU by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of IGOR continues with GONE GONE / THANK YOU, a gorgeous double song in which Tyler memorializes the time shared with his beloved before finally becoming at peace with moving on. Shop Season 10 merchandise here. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram,...
12.06.2022
S10E8 - WHAT'S GOOD by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of IGOR continues with WHAT'S GOOD, where Tyler uses the brash, masculine IGOR alter-ego to regain his autonomy after losing himself on the previous song PUPPET. Shop Season 10 merchandise here. Follow on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Host, EP, Writer: Cole Cuchna Writer: Camden...
11.29.2022
S10E7 - PUPPET by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of IGOR continues with the album's emotional rock bottom, PUPPET. Tyler realizes he's lost himself in his desperate pursuit of pleasing his crush, and looks to a symbolic patriarch, played by Kanye West, to help find his...
11.22.2022
S10E6 - A BOY IS A GUN* by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of IGOR continues with A BOY IS A GUN*. In the most sample heavy song on the album, Tyler uses a dichotomous gun symbol to express how his crush makes him feel: safe and in danger all...
11.15.2022
S10E5 - NEW MAGIC WAND by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of Tyler, The Creator's IGOR continues with "NEW MAGIC WAND" - a song Tyler described as his favorite song he's ever made. We unpack everything from its unlikely sample source to the historical associations of its main...
11.08.2022
S10E4 - BOYFRIEND / RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of Tyler, The Creator's IGOR continues with "BOYFRIEND" - a song released as the fourth track only on the physical versions of IGOR - before breaking down the beautiful ballad "RUNNING OUT OF TIME." Shop Season 10 merchandise here....
11.01.2022
S10E3 - I THINK by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of Tyler, The Creator's IGOR continues with its third track I THINK. Shop Season 10 merchandise here. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Host, EP, Writer: Cole Cuchna Writer: Camden Ostrander Audio Editor: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Recreations: Andrew Atwood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn...
10.25.2022
S10E2 - EARFQUAKE by Tyler, The Creator
Our season-long analysis of Tyler, The Creator's IGOR continues with his biggest song to date, EARFQUAKE. Shop Season 10 merchandise here. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Host, EP, Writer: Cole Cuchna Writer: Camden Ostrander Audio Editor: Kevin Pooler Theme Music: Birocratic Recreations: Andrew Atwood Learn more about your ad choices....
10.18.2022
S10E1 - Tyler, The Creator: IGOR
Welcome to our season long examination of Tyler, The Creator's 2019 album IGOR, where we dissect the music, lyrics, and meaning of one song per episode. We begin with the album's first track "IGOR'S THEME," a mostly instrumental composition full...
09.01.2022
Crowning Kendrick Lamar's Best Song Ever | LAST SONG STANDING (E7)
Season finale! The moment is here. The LSS Boyz have been debating Kendrick Lamar's discography for six contentious episodes. Now it's time Cole and Charles are forced to crown the last song standing: the greatest Kendrick Lamar song of all...

What's Dissect about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Dissect episodes:

S12E5 - Raid / Curls by Madvillain

S12E4 - Meat Grinder by Madvillain

S12E3 - Accordion by Madvillain

Dissecting Operation Doomsday's Best Bars

S12E2 - Operation: Doomsday by MF DOOM

S12E1 - MF DOOM: A Hero in a Villain's Mask

Season 12 begins March 26th (Album Clue Inside!)

Our Favorite Music of 2023

Radiohead Song Draft

Talking Radiohead w/ Dr. Brad Osborn + Listener Submissions

S11E11 - Videotape by Radiohead (Season Finale)

S11E10 - Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead

S11E9 - House of Cards by Radiohead

S11E8 - Reckoner by Radiohead

S11E7 - "In Rainbows" Title Analysis + Faust Arp

S11E6 - All I Need by Radiohead

S11E5 - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi by Radiohead

S11E4 - Nude by Radiohead

S11E3 - Bodysnatchers by Radiohead

S11E2 - 15 Step by Radiohead

S11E1 - Radiohead: In Rainbows

We're back!

Crowning Frank Ocean's Best Song Ever | LAST SONG STANDING (E5)

Blonde | LAST SONG STANDING (E4)

Endless + Frank's Singles & Features | LAST SONG STANDING (E3)

Nostalgia, Ultra | LAST SONG STANDING (E2)

Channel Orange | LAST SONG STANDING (E1)

MX1E9 - "Walking" by Denzel Curry

MX1E8 - "Figaro" by MF Doom

MX1E7 - "Mural" by Lupe Fiasco (PART 2)

MX1E6 - "Mural" by Lupe Fiasco (PART 1)

MX1E5 - "Introvert" by Little Simz

MX1E4 - "The Story of OJ" by JAY-Z

MX1E3 - "6 Foot 7 Foot" by Lil Wayne

MX1E2 - "Nosetalgia" by Pusha T & Kendrick Lamar

MX1E1 - "The Climb Back" by J Cole

Tyler, The Creator Song Draft (BONUS)

S10E12 - Season Finale: IGOR by Tyler, The Creator

S10E11 - ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? by Tyler, The Creator

S10E10 - I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE by Tyler, The Creator

S10E9 - GONE GONE / THANK YOU by Tyler, The Creator

S10E8 - WHAT'S GOOD by Tyler, The Creator

S10E7 - PUPPET by Tyler, The Creator

S10E6 - A BOY IS A GUN* by Tyler, The Creator

S10E5 - NEW MAGIC WAND by Tyler, The Creator

S10E4 - BOYFRIEND / RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Tyler, The Creator

S10E3 - I THINK by Tyler, The Creator

S10E2 - EARFQUAKE by Tyler, The Creator

S10E1 - Tyler, The Creator: IGOR

Crowning Kendrick Lamar's Best Song Ever | LAST SONG STANDING (E7)