Noise Floor

This week we dig into Mitski's third album, Bury Me At Makeout Creek, and how exhaustion, picking up guitar, and a shift towards playing live informed the production of this modern indie classic.

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Mitski's second album, Retired From Sad, New Career In Business, expands on the foundations of Lush with a full orchestra, an accompanying visual album, and even more visceral, emotional songwriting. On this episode, we talk through the songs, the legacy of the album, and the feeling of being on the cusp of life after college.

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This week we're beginning a new series on Mitski with Lush, the first of two records made while the singer-songwriter was still in college. We get into the varied approaches to writing and arrangement, similarities to other "figuring it out" albums we've covered, and much more.

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DuJour means podcast! We're trying something a little different this week and digging into the soundtrack to the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats. Produced by Babyface and Adam Schlesinger and featuring vocals by Kay Hanley, it's a treasure trove of power pop bangers. Heads up: We also discuss the movie with some spoilers.

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Our Janelle Monáe series comes to a close with The Age of Pleasure. We discuss the album's reggae influence, themes of sex and liberation, and the arc of Monáe's exciting career so far.

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We're joined by our friend Jenna Stworzyjanek to discuss Dirty Computer, Janelle Monáe's most personal album yet. We go through the record's sonic evolution, the incisive lyrics, and the companion movie and short story collection.

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Our Janelle Monáe series continues with The Electric Lady, suites IV and V of the Metropolis saga and a prequel to The ArchAndroid. With features from the likes of Prince and Miguel, The Electric Lady further refines Monáe's vision of what her music can be, and we're along for every step.

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On her proper debut album, The ArchAndroid, Janelle Monáe explores genres from rap to folk to psychedelic funk in a sprawling pair of suites that form the core of her Metropolis saga. Join us as we dig into the songs, the fiction, and Monáe's development as an artist from her early days to her first hits.

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This week we begin a new series on the albums of Janelle Monáe, starting with her demo album, The Audition. We explore every genre twist and turn on this accomplished but long out of print debut before jumping into Monáe's sci-fi world-building on Metropolis: The Chase Suite.

The Audition on Archive.org

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The Format is back after 20 years with Boycott Heaven, one of the most exciting new releases in years. Join us as we dive into our favorite songs, the band's turn to guitar-centric rock and roll, and rank the Nate Ruess discography.

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