Looking back at some of the albums and EPs that dropped in 2024, discussing highlights and disappointments. The episode starts with Top 5 cons and Top 5 pros before then touching on dozens of other projects.

Top songs of the year playlists are also linked below, which feature songs from the highlighted albums and more:

Apple

Kev - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/2024-joints/pl.u-8aAVXkyFamBZWa

Jack - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/js-2024-top-tier/pl.u-DdANl05IlVDNxd

Spotify

Jack - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19CDFB3CMqN2DnFHGVNhOi?si=b7bc3556816043ac

Kev - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6bcI5Sw9UYbdgVj3VIpgDO?si=7ca106fc866d4f4c

*Recorded before the SZA and Sault late December releases.

Pros & Cons is changing up the release schedule for now. There will be somewhat of a hiatus, as there won’t be bi-weekly episodes with new topics releasing as normal. However, there were still be new music episodes of The Rotation series every few months or so. Kev and Jack give some more details around this new shift that will be ongoing for the indefinite future.

A.I. is a field of technology that has had rapid growth in recent years. Platforms can generate data like information, visuals, and sounds based on prompts of varying complexity. The accuracy and ability is growing fast, based on its computer learning, and the ways it can be applied is endless. Jack and Kev talk about some of the potential cases in creative fields, jobs overall, and if the positives outweigh the negatives.

Long Beach’s own Vince Staples, known primarily as a rapper, just released a new Netflix series that stars himself. ‘The Vince Staples Show’ is loosely based on his own life growing up in the Southern California area and everything that can go down on any given day. Kev and Jack talk about some brief background on Vince’s personality and sense of humor before talking about the new show. (No spoilers until the 18 min mark)

Especially as kids, we often look up to other people as examples for who or what we want to be. But who should be considered role models – like artists or athletes – and what standards should they be held to? What responsibilities do they have? Jack and Kev talk about what goes into considering if someone is a good role model, how that changes as you get older, and where do we all draw the lines on certain actions.

A staple in music culture over the past few decades, Pitchfork started in 1996 and became known for its opinionated album reviews. The most defining feature grew to be the rating scale, going from 0-10 with a decimal point for extra precision. From the end of the music magazine run to the blog era and social media current environment, Pitchfork has continued to stay alive. Last month, it was announced that Condé Nast (who acquired it in 2015) was laying off a large group of employees and shifting the brand under GQ – leaving an unclear future ahead. Kev and Jack talk about their experience with the site, the rating system, and how it compares to YouTube reviewers like Anthony Fantano.

After initially launching in October of 2010 and being bought by Facebook for $1 billion in 2012, the app of Instagram has gone through significant changes over the past decade. Jack and Kev talk about how it went from a mobile photography community to a broader platform for everyone, including with features like IG Stories being added. Plus: In this moment, the way it’s being used to share info about Gaza and hear from Palestinian voices on the ground.

For some, the start of the calendar year is a marker to try out new routines – like with eating or exercise. But no matter when you start, it can be a tricky balance when integrating that into your lifestyle. And while physical health is a big part of it, the mental side is crucial too. Kev and Jack talk about some of their experiences and changes over time in viewing the importance of certain elements.

After a jam-packed year of music, it's time to pick the Top 5 biggest highlights and disappointments of albums. Jack and Kev look back on 2023 by choosing their personal Top 5's for both sides.

Top songs of the year playlists are also linked below:

Jack - music.apple.com/us/playlist/js-2023-top-tier/pl.u-V9D73zpT1pejkL

Kev - music.apple.com/us/playlist/2023-joints/pl.u-oZyl3XWT0q8Xo0

As a profession that has significantly changed in past decades, journalism is at a crossroads for the future. With the rise of social media, as well as A.I. technology, there’s a lot of questioning about sources of truth and information. Kev and Jack discuss where it stands right now, including examples ranging from sports to the Palestinian journalists on the ground in Gaza.