Dissect

By Cole Cuchna | Spotify

Music

What's Dissect about?

Learn more about the albums you love with Dissect, a serialized music podcast from Cole Cuchna & Spotify Studios. Each season we pick one album, forensically dissecting one song per episode. Line-by-line, note-by-note, we learn more about the human experience through some of the greatest music ever made.

S3: Blonde by Frank Ocean
S2: MBDTF by Kanye West
S1: To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar

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Dissecting Mogul with Brand...

02.11.2020

Today, we dissect another serialized podcast we love: Mogul, a show about the stories behind hip hop's most iconic moments. Mogul's host, Brandon Jenkins, joins Cole to discuss the show's highlights and walks us through Mogul's production process. Stream Mogul ...

Dissect episodes:

02.11.2020 Dissecting Mogul with Brandon Jenkins Today, we dissect another serialized podcast we love: Mogul, a show about the stories behind hip hop's most iconic moments. Mogul's host, Brandon Jenkins, joins Cole to discuss the show's highlights and walks us through Mogul's production process. Stream Mogul ...
01.28.2020 S5E20 - Season Finale: DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar We conclude our season on DAMN. by recapping the album’s narrative in standard track order before speculating on an alternative narrative when listening in reverse track order. Finally, we present a new theory about the album’s track listing (did someone ...
01.21.2020 S5E19 - DUCKWORTH. by Kendrick Lamar DUCKWORTH. tells the remarkable true story of the chance encounter between Kendrick’s father Kenny Duckworth and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith. Kendrick uses this story to illustrate the album’s central message: the (unpredictable) blessings that come from choosing weakness. Say hi ...
01.14.2020 S5E18 - GOD. by Kendrick Lamar After receiving guidance from Cousin Carl on FEAR., Kung Fu Kenny expresses the joyous feeling of being filled with the spirit of GOD. Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes ...
01.07.2020 S5E17 - FEAR. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar In part two of our analysis of FEAR., we come to understand how fear has been the primary motivating factor in Kung Fu Kenny’s life. Kenny consolidates the album’s major themes into one extremely dense final verse, which unlocks many ...
12.30.2019 S5E16 - FEAR. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar FEAR. is the pivotal track in the narrative of DAMN. We begin our two part analysis by dissecting the song’s virtuosic use of samples before digging into the appearance of Kendrick Lamar’s two real life cousins: Carl and Charles. Finally, ...
12.24.2019 S5E15 - XXX. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar In part two of our analysis of XXX., we discover the dramatic twist in the narrative of DAMN. Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2k8BsZM
12.23.2019 S5E14 - XXX. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar XXX. is a multipart suite that begins to reveal the deep-rooted themes of DAMN. We find Kung Fu Kenny seemingly under demonic influence as he portrays himself as a heartless, bloodthirsty killer. By the song’s second half, we discover the ...
12.17.2019 S5E13 - LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar Coming off the heels of LUST., LOVE. presents the flipside of the coin as Kung Fu Kenny explores the youthful, romantic love he felt as a teenager. As we’ll discover, this isn’t the first time Kendrick has explored the love/lust ...
12.10.2019 S5E12 - LUST. by Kendrick Lamar When DAMN. released just months after Donald Trump was elected president, many were anticipating the moment Kendrick Lamar -- the greatest rapper of our generation -- addressed the election on the album. LUST. presents that moment, but not in a ...
12.03.2019 S5E11 - HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar We continue our season-long analysis of DAMN. with the album’s hit single HUMBLE. Coming off the heels of PRIDE. in which Kung Fu Kenny admitted his imperfections, we are puzzled to find Kenny egotistically lifting himself up by putting down ...
11.26.2019 S5E10 - PRIDE. by Kendrick Lamar Kung Fu Kenny takes a big step forward by admitting his imperfections and humbling himself. As track 7 of 14, we hypothesize about PRIDE. being a micro-resolution to DAMN’s first half. Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect ...
11.19.2019 S5E9 - LOYALTY. by Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna Kung Fu Kenny teams with Bad Girl RiRi for a meditation on the concept of LOYALTY. What begins as a self-serving demand for absolute devotion eventually unfolds into a recognition that one’s highest degree of loyalty should be shown to ...
11.12.2019 S5E8 - FEEL. by Kendrick Lamar Kung Fu Kenny’s pursuit of sex, money, and murder comes to a head in FEEL. In a violent storm of emotions, Kenny reveals the underlying isolation and suffering caused by his self-centered way of life. Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter ...
11.05.2019 S5E7 - ELEMENT. by Kendrick Lamar ELEMENT. is a brutal meditation on Kung Fu Kenny’s intuition toward preemptive violence. But upon analysis we realize that beneath Kenny’s aggression is an underlying fear of his family going back to a life of poverty. In this way, the ...
11.01.2019 BONUS - Dissecting JESUS IS KING w/ Femi Olutade Cole and Femi discuss Kanye West's new album Jesus Is King, including a song-by-song thematic analysis.
10.29.2019 S5E6 - YAH. by Kendrick Lamar YAH. formally introduces DAMN’s protagonist: Kung Fu Kenny, a prophet who rejects God’s call. Kenny chooses instead to follow his intuition toward sex, money, and murder -- the very traits named on the album’s previous track DNA. Say hi @dissectpodcast ...
10.24.2019 S5E5 - DNA. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar In Part 2 of our DNA. analysis, we dissect the song’s dramatic second half. Triggered by the disparaging comments by FOX News, Kendrick goes ballistic in a now icon extended verse. While we may have originally thought DNA. was about ...
10.22.2019 S5E4 - DNA. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar DNA. lays the philosophical groundwork for the album DAMN. In the song’s first half, Kendrick defines his genetic makeup as a mixture of biological (family), environmental (Compton), and cultural (hip-hop) inheritances. Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect ...
10.15.2019 S5E3 - BLOOD. by Kendrick Lamar We begin our season-long analysis of DAMN. with the opening track BLOOD. We unpack the many layers of the wickedness/weakness dichotomy presented as well as the cryptic parable in which Kendrick is shot by a blind lady -- or shall ...
10.10.2019 S5E2 - TPAB as Preface to DAMN. We revisit To Pimp a Butterfly with a special focus on how its ending connects directly with the opening of DAMN. Say hi @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Purchase Dissect merch at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/. Listen to original Dissect themes on Spotify: ...
10.08.2019 S5E1 - Kendrick Lamar: DAMN. Season 5 is dedicated entirely to Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer-Prize winning album DAMN. Today’s episode dives into Lamar’s upbringing in Compton and the developing spiritual beliefs encoded in his early discography. As we’ll come to find out, these beliefs become the ...
09.23.2019 Season 5 Announcement Dissect Season 5 premieres Tuesday, October 1st on Spotify (and a week later everywhere else). For clues about what album is being dissected, follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram and tune into IG Stories all week.
07.23.2019 S4E14 - Epilogue: IGOR by Tyler the Creator Today’s special episode dissects Tyler, The Creator’s 2019 album IGOR. After a thorough dissection of the album’s narrative, we hypothesize about thematic and narrative connections between IGOR and Flower Boy. Purchase limited Season 4 merchandise at shop.dissectpodcast.com. Stay in touch ...
07.16.2019 S4E13 - Season Finale: Flower Boy After a thorough recap of the album’s narrative, we draw some final conclusions about the themes of Flower Boy and dissect the album’s cover art and title. We then hear from you, the Dissect audience, sharing their biggest takeaways from ...
07.09.2019 S4E12 - Glitter by Tyler, The Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “Glitter”. It’s that Tyler’s album long journey culminates with him expressing how he feels to the love interest he’s been chasing throughout Flower Boy. But as we’ll discover, this ...
07.02.2019 S4E11 - November by Tyler, the Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “November.” In terms of the album’s narrative, “November” represents rock bottom, an emotional low point. But after a near death experience, Tyler is inspired to pull over his sports ...
06.25.2019 S4E10 - "911 / Mr Lonely" by Tyler, the Creator Limited Season 4 merchandise available at https://shop.dissectpodcast.com/store. Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “911/Mr Lonely”. Despite its upbeat tempo and danceability, “911/Mr Lonely” is in Tyler’s own words “the saddest song I’ve ever written.” Find ...
06.18.2019 S4E9 - “I Ain’t Got Time” by Tyler, the Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “I Ain’t Got Time.” The isolation expressed on the previous song “Boredom” is too much for Tyler to handle. He regresses and gets back into his sports car, using ...
06.11.2019 S4E8 - “Boredom” by Tyler, the Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “Boredom.” Still in the isolation of his garden shed, Tyler’s boredom reveals an underlying loneliness and aimlessness that triggers his unhealthy defense mechanisms. New episodes of Dissect release every ...
06.04.2019 S4E7 - Garden Shed by Tyler, The Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the album’s centerpiece “Garden Shed.” In one of the greatest songs of our generation, Tyler acknowledges his attraction to men in the privacy of his garden shed. New episodes of Dissect ...
05.28.2019 S4E6 - Pothole by Tyler, The Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “Pothole.” Tyler takes his mother’s advice to heart and examines the various “potholes” in his life that hinder his personal growth. New episodes of Dissect release every Tuesday. For ...
05.24.2019 Dissecting IGOR with Anthony Fantano In this special BONUS episode, Cole talks to Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop) about Tyler, The Creator's IGOR and where the album fits into Tyler's legacy. Then co-host of Watching The Throne Chris Lambert joins Cole for a song by ...
05.21.2019 S4E5 - “Who Dat Boy” by Tyler, the Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “Who Dat Boy.” Tyler combats his vulnerability through egotism, machismo, and materialism. While still searching for his dream partner revealed in “See You Again”, Tyler seems to be looking ...
05.14.2019 S4E4 - See You Again by Tyler, The Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with "See You Again." Tyler describes an idealized partner he only sees in his dreams. But as we'll discover, this fantasy lover is a manifestation of the chronic loneliness Tyler feels in ...
05.07.2019 S4E3 - Where This Flower Blooms by Tyler, The Creator Our season long analysis of Flower Boy continues with the song “Where This Flower Blooms.” Tyler contrasts his childhood roots in poverty with the initial feeling of “making it” as a successful musician. But the song ends with a cliffhanger ...
04.30.2019 S4E2 - Foreword by Tyler, The Creator We begin our season long analysis of Flower Boy by Tyler the Creator with the album’s opening track “Foreword.” We find Tyler laying out the themes that will be explored throughout Flower Boy as he questions his success, his chronic ...
04.23.2019 S4E1 - Tyler the Creator: Flower Boy Our season long examination of Flower Boy by Tyler, the Creator begins with a biographical episode on Tyler’s upbringing in Los Angeles, the genesis of Odd Future, and Tyler’s discography leading up to the release of Flower Boy. Listen to ...
04.09.2019 Season 4 Announcement Season 4 begins Tuesday, April 16th on Spotify (and a week later everywhere else). Visit spotify.com/promo/dissect for 60 free days of Spotify Premium (US & UK only). Follow @dissectpodcast on Instagram and Twitter for clues on the season subject. New ...
12.24.2018 MS1E8 - Finale: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill We conclude our eight episode deep dive into The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Want to know the subject of Season 4 of Dissect? Follow @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram for clues over the break.
12.18.2018 MS1E7 - "Everything is Everything" by Lauryn Hill Our serialized analysis of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill continues with "Nothing Even Matters" and "Everything is Everything." Having submitted herself to god, Ms. Hill displays the tranquility, acceptance, and maturity she's acquired through the life lessons she learned outside ...
12.11.2018 MS1E6 - "Forgive Them Father" (& more) by Lauryn Hill We dissect a trio of songs in which Ms. Lauryn Hill presents a micro-narrative of heartbreak and forgiveness, a turning point in Miseducation's loose narrative. After establishing her pain on "When It Hurts So Bad", Ms. Hill turns her life ...
12.04.2018 MS1E5 - "Superstar" & "Final Hour" by Lauryn Hill We continue our serialized analysis of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill with two songs cut from the same thematic cloth. With both "Superstar" and "Final Hour," Ms. Hill calls out the superficial materialism and ego in hip-hop, frequently citing scripture ...
11.27.2018 MS1E4 - "Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill Ms. Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" synthesizes hip-hop with 1950s doo wop music. We trace the parallel histories of these two musical genres before our line-by-line analysis of the cautionary message Ms. Hill presents in her chart topping single. ...
11.20.2018 MS1E3 - "To Zion" by Lauryn Hill Ms. Lauryn Hill's timeless ballad "To Zion" tells a powerful story about the birth of her first child. We dive deep into its lyrics and discover how its harmonic structure reflects the song's themes of uncertainty. Follow @dissectpodcast on Twitter ...
11.13.2018 MS1E2 - "Lost Ones" and "Ex-Factor" by Lauryn Hill Ms. Lauryn Hill begins Miseducation with a dualistic examination of heartbreak. "Lost Ones" is a scathing, venomous assault while "Ex Factor" reveals the pain beneath Ms. Hill's harden exterior. Follow @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Join our newsletter at dissectpodcast.com.
11.06.2018 MS1E1 - Lauryn Hill: An Education Today we begin our 8 episode mini-series on of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. We start with Ms. Hill's upbringing in New Jersey, her rise with The Fugees, and the events leading up to the creation of Miseducation. Follow @dissectpodcast ...
09.25.2018 BONUS - S3 Listener Audio Montage We hear from Dissect listeners sharing their biggest takeaways from Frank Ocean's "Blonde" and Season 3.
09.25.2018 S3E18 - Season Finale: Blonde by Frank Ocean We conclude our season-long analysis of Blonde by Frank Ocean. Stay in touch over the break by following @dissectpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. Join the newsletter at dissectpodcast.com.
09.18.2018 S3E17 - Godspeed + Futura Free by Frank Ocean We dissect Blonde's closing tracks "Godspeed" and "Futura Free." You're gonna wanna listen to the end on this one.

Older episodes

Dissect

What's Dissect about?

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Dissect episodes:

Dissecting Mogul with Brandon Jenkins

S5E20 - Season Finale: DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E19 - DUCKWORTH. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E18 - GOD. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E17 - FEAR. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar

S5E16 - FEAR. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar

S5E15 - XXX. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar

S5E14 - XXX. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar

S5E13 - LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E12 - LUST. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E11 - HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E10 - PRIDE. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E9 - LOYALTY. by Kendrick Lamar & Rihanna

S5E8 - FEEL. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E7 - ELEMENT. by Kendrick Lamar

BONUS - Dissecting JESUS IS KING w/ Femi Olutade

S5E6 - YAH. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E5 - DNA. (Part 2) by Kendrick Lamar

S5E4 - DNA. (Part 1) by Kendrick Lamar

S5E3 - BLOOD. by Kendrick Lamar

S5E2 - TPAB as Preface to DAMN.

S5E1 - Kendrick Lamar: DAMN.

Season 5 Announcement

S4E14 - Epilogue: IGOR by Tyler the Creator

S4E13 - Season Finale: Flower Boy

S4E12 - Glitter by Tyler, The Creator

S4E11 - November by Tyler, the Creator

S4E10 - "911 / Mr Lonely" by Tyler, the Creator

S4E9 - “I Ain’t Got Time” by Tyler, the Creator

S4E8 - “Boredom” by Tyler, the Creator

S4E7 - Garden Shed by Tyler, The Creator

S4E6 - Pothole by Tyler, The Creator

Dissecting IGOR with Anthony Fantano

S4E5 - “Who Dat Boy” by Tyler, the Creator

S4E4 - See You Again by Tyler, The Creator

S4E3 - Where This Flower Blooms by Tyler, The Creator

S4E2 - Foreword by Tyler, The Creator

S4E1 - Tyler the Creator: Flower Boy

Season 4 Announcement

MS1E8 - Finale: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

MS1E7 - "Everything is Everything" by Lauryn Hill

MS1E6 - "Forgive Them Father" (& more) by Lauryn Hill

MS1E5 - "Superstar" & "Final Hour" by Lauryn Hill

MS1E4 - "Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill

MS1E3 - "To Zion" by Lauryn Hill

MS1E2 - "Lost Ones" and "Ex-Factor" by Lauryn Hill

MS1E1 - Lauryn Hill: An Education

BONUS - S3 Listener Audio Montage

S3E18 - Season Finale: Blonde by Frank Ocean

S3E17 - Godspeed + Futura Free by Frank Ocean

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