In Our Headphones will be back next week with song recommendations from Lace Cadence, host of The Continent.

But this week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: The Cobain 50, which explores the famous list Kurt Cobain left behind in one of his journals naming his Top 50 albums. Hosted by Martin Douglas and Dusty Henry, the series digs into a different album from the list each week, discussing its influence on Nirvana and the bigger themes still resonating today.

On this episode, Dusty Henry dives into 'Surfer Rosa' by The Pixies. It's arguably the most influential "alternative music" album of the 90s — not just for Nirvana, but artists worldwide. Surfer Rosa was Nevermind before Nevermind.

Subscribe to The Cobain 50 wherever you get your podcasts.

Support KEXP podcasts at kexp.org/headphones.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

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KEXP Variety Mix DJ Reeves shares a sinister ambient track, some optimistic indie rock, and changes the show name to In Our Chat Pile, in honor of the Oklahoma City-based band. He also shares a sweet story and shout-out to his Dad. Plus, KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley shares a hypnotic track from a long-time KEXP fave band, that she describes as the “middle ground between Radiohead and Young Fathers.“

1. Lustmord - “Entrails of the God Machine” 
2. Chat Pile - "I am Dog Now"
3. Rui Gabriel - “Target”
4. Drive-By Truckers - “Gravity's Gone” 
5. Wand - "Mistletoe"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Listen to DJ Reeves on Saturdays from 2-6 AM PT, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special edition of In Our Headphones, KEXP’s Editorial Team comes together to share their contenders for this year’s “Song of the Summer.” From synth pop and breezy yacht rock to UK garage and the diss track to end them all, each contributor brings their own take on what makes the perfect summer track.

Songs featured:

1. Buscabulla - “11:11” (Albina Cabrera’s pick)
2. Mt Fog - “Drifting” (Roddy Nikpour’s pick)
3. Chris Cohen - “Night or Day” (Janice Headley’s pick)
4. Empress Of - “Kiss Me (feat. Rina Sawayama)” (Emily Fox’s pick)
5. J.P. - “Bad Bitty” (Larry Mizell Jr’s pick)
6. Kendrick Lamar - “Not Like Us" (Dusty Henry and Martin Douglas’ pick)
7. Bklava - “all around me” (Isabel Khalili’s pick)

Send your own "Song of the Summer" to [email protected]. 

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Explore the work of KEXP’s Editorial Team on https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/ .

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Roddy Nikpour
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DJ Michele Myers shares her song-based approach to DJ’ing and her philosophy for choosing positive messaging in music, like the infectious dance-friendly tracks she spotlights in this episode.

Plus, KEXP Associate Music Director Alex Ruder shares a beautiful tribute from a young South-East London-based artist to his late sister.

1. Justice - “Mannequin Love”
2. Ana Tijoux - “Ninx”
3. St. Vincent - “Broken Man”
4. ODESZA - "Across the Room (feat. Leon Bridges)”
5. Jim Legxacy - “nothings changed (!)”

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Listen to DJ Michele Myers live every Tuesday from 10pm to 1am Pacific Time, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evie Stokes joins us to talk about what she has in store for listeners as KEXP’s new Drive Time host (Tuesdays through Fridays), then shares three standout tracks she’s had in her headphones lately. Ranging from art-pop to psychedelic jazz and soul, every recommendation deals with some heavy themes while being completely danceable.

Plus, Music Director Chris Sanley shares an emotional track from the artist she calls one of the greatest songwriters of our time.

Songs featured:

1. Remi Wolf - "Cinderella"
2. Crumb - "Genie"
3. MRCY - "Flowers In Mourning"
4. Björk - "Army of Me"
5. Cassandra Jenkins - "Omakase” 

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Listen to Evie Stokes Tuesdays through Fridays from 4-7pm PT, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The great Kevin Cole talks about his “remix, not retirement,” as he steps down from Drive Time at the end of this week and transitions to a weekly show, starting in August. Plus, he shares songs from a Civil Rights legend, a pop music “it girl,” and an unclassifiable band from the Czech Republic.

Then, KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley shares a chaotic, yet melodic track from an Austin art-punk band.

1. Mavis Staples - “Worthy”
2. Charli XCX - “360"
3. Manon meurt - “Marrow”
4. Television - “Marquee Moon”
5. Font - “It”

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Starting in late August, you can listen to Kevin Cole in his new slot every Sunday 3-6pm PT, or anytime on the two-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tory J, co-host of KEXP’s global Indigenous music show “Sounds of Survivance” talks with Isabel about how sound and music inform Indigenous life, dispelling myths about Indigenous peoples through his show, and his deep love of Rez Metal. He shares three new songs touching on shoegaze, metal, jazz, plus one foundational track.

Then, Music Director Chris Sanley shares why she’s dancing and weeping to the new single posthumously released from hyper-pop icon SOPHIE.

Songs featured:

1. Deerlady - "Seeing Two"
2. Under Exile - "Throne of Ashes"
3. Tharun Sankar - "In Between"
4. David Maxim Micic - "Smile"
5. SOPHIE - "Reason Why (feat. Kim Petras & BC Kingdom)"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Listen to Sounds of Survivance with Tory J and Kevin Sur every Monday from 3-5am PT, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DJ Chilly talks about stepping down as co-host of El Sonido, KEXP’s Modern Latin music show that he founded 14 years ago, and shares three tracks that run the gamut from jazz to grindcore to his favorite genre of all time, soul.

Plus, KEXP Associate Music Director Alex Ruder shares a chilled-out track that’s been in his headphones, unintentionally tying together this episode’s theme of “home.”

1. DJ Green Lantern - “Falling For Jazz”"
2. BRAT - “Human Offense”
3. J Noa - “Arrogante”
4. Ohio Players - “Here Today And Gone Tomorrow”
5. ZG - “Feels Like Home”

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Catch DJ Chilly’s latest shows on his DJ page on KEXP.org.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Albina Cabrera, host of El Sonido and KEXP’s Latin Partnerships and Editorial Manager, joins Isabel for our quarterly Latin music highlight. As we pass the half-year mark, Albina takes stock of some of her favorite albums of the year so far and shares four standout tracks, ranging from industrial synth to hazy indie punk and universal tales of love and loss.

As always, we end with one recommendation from KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley, this time bringing us cumbia-inspired avant-pop with ancestral depth.

1. Mueran Humanos - "Dentaduras"
2. Las Nubes - "Would Be"
3. Luisa Almaguer - "Un día nos vamos a morir"
4. La Zorra Zapata - "El Invento"
5. Angelica Garcia - "Juanita"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Listen to El Sonido with Albina Cabrera every Monday at 7-10 PM PT, or anytime on the two-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DJ Kennady Quille, host of KEXP’s Pacific Northwest music show, Audioasis, shares three songs with a Northwest focus, as well as the first new music in 19 years from a legendary Olympia, WA queercore band. Plus, KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley shares a stunning slow-burn single off the debut LP of a Brooklyn-based artist on the verge of a breakout.

Songs featured:

1. Thavoron - “Body”
2. VIANNE - “SUPERSONIC”
3. Pantsuitguy - “Speedracer”
4. Team Dresch - “Your Hands My Pockets”
5. Zsela - "Lily Of The Nile"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Listen to Kennady Quille on Audioasis live every Saturday from 6 to 9pm Pacific Time, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.

Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: Jackson Long
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.

Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at [email protected].

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.