Super Awesome Mix

Jenn Tully joins Matt Sidhom for the last new music mix of 2025!  They trace November’s most interesting new releases and rare finds, from soulful love songs to rediscovered Springsteen, with detours through genre-bending pop and hopeful rock. Surprises, callbacks, and a few future anthems round out the mix.

• Why St. Paul and the Broken Bones still hit with tender, timeless soul
• The Neighbourhood’s DIY textures and Haim’s thoughtful George Michael nod
• Big Wild’s airy lift and why minimal lyrics can still feel huge
• Balu Brigada’s bright groove carrying conflict fatigue
• The Tuk Smith comeback and classic hooks done right
• Foo Fighters balancing grief, grit and forward motion
• Noga Erez’s shapeshifting production and pointed perspectives
• Kacey Musgraves’ elegant devotion without clichés
• Cheap Trick’s new spark and modern parallels

Sponsor: Early Bird Morning Cocktail with promo code SUPERMIX10

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-new-music-november-2025/pl.u-E4p3sVMmxr

1. Fall Moon - St Paul & The Broken Bones

2. Private - The Neighbourhood

3. Gone - HAIM

4. Sideways - Balu Brigada

5. Troubled Paradise - Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts

6. Stardust - Wild Child

7. Gun in Every Home - Bruce Springsteen

8. Telephone Busy - 5 Seconds of Summer

9. Asking for a Friend - Foo Fighters

10. Penny Lame - Noga Erez

11. If The World Burns Down - Kacey Musgraves

12. Twelve Gates - Cheap Trick

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

This week's Mixtape Rewind takes you back to January 2022 when Matt and Sam gave you 12 new tracks from the latter part of 2021.  Sam is almost certain one song is Norwegian but later realizes it was actually French - you'll have to listen to find out what that's all about. (The perils of recording early in the morning).

Nearly four years ago, we went from a posthumous Juice WRLD cut with Justin Bieber to a high-voltage rocker from Goodbye June, before swerving into Nas’s compact masterclass and The Smile’s angular warning shot from Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood.

The middle of the journey softens without losing purpose. Save Face disguises a dark story in glittering pop-punk; Stromae returns with a beautiful, aching meditation on isolation; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats bring blues rock warmth with a simple promise: I’m on your side. We keep that thread alive with Aurora’s poetic electro-pop and a cinematic surprise—U2’s Your Song Saved My Life from Sing 2—proof that film can spark songs meant to be felt by every age in the room.

We land the plane with intimacy and legacy. JJ Wilde and Billy Raffoul trade lines like late-night confessions, Brian Wilson reminds us what a signature sound really means, and Broken Social Scene closes with a winter-walk tempo and a lyric about moving slowly through uncertainty. It’s a mix built for replay and for sharing—equal parts adrenaline and reflection, discovery and comfort.

 Here's the mix available on our Super Awesome Mix app (requires Apple Music):
 https://app.superawesomemix.com/qdjkzrCDUd7y4sx68

Here's the mix on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Qc8jOICb2quuMWO8XnrJy?si=d510dc3ff85e4430

• Wandered to LA by Juice WRLD & Justin Bieber
• Step Aside by Goodbye June
• 40-16 Building by Nas
• You Will Never Work In Television Again by The Smile
• GLITTER by Save Face
• L’enfer by Stromae
• I’m On Your Side by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
• Everything Matters by AURORA
• Your Song Saved My Life by U2
• Let Me Go by JJ Wilde & Billy Raffoul
• Right Where I Belong by Brian Wilson & Jim James
• Curse Your Fail by Broken Social Scene

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

A voice can be an instrument, a mirror, and sometimes a battlefield. That’s the ground we cover with actor-singer Winter Andrews aka the “indie sorcerer”—as we trace how mimicry, rhythm, and empathy shaped both his acting and his music. 

From being moved by Regina Spektor’s allegory in Samson to discovering the strange peace inside Hozier’s Shrike, Winter opens up about the songs that taught him to hold big feelings without apology. We talk Chester Bennington’s quiet ache amid the roar, Imogen Heap’s ghostly minimalism, Dermot Kennedy’s raw folk energy, and Phoebe Bridgers’ gentle delivery of devastating stories. Then Jeff Buckley brings the hopeful melancholy that still lights the way.

With that map in hand, we step into Winter’s upcoming EP, Till the Moon Fades Away, and the world he built across four originals. Wildfires starts small and blooms into a cinematic swell, setting the promise that intimacy and grandeur will meet. The Lovers is a three-act love story threaded by one telling word—if—moving from yearning to union to elegy, with strings by Rob Moose amplifying the sweep of time. Babel rises from shame and self-loathing into a towering confession, a song years in the making that demanded the right vocal arc and tempo to match its storm. Across the Snow closes like the aftermath of hard nights, born through a character to reach truths that were too raw to face head-on.

If you love singer-songwriter storytelling, indie folk drama, cinematic ballads, and vocal-forward production, this conversation will hit home. 

Follow all things Winter Andrews on Instagram and TikTok (@ItsWinterAndrews)

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/winter-andrews-mix/pl.u-MJEGINqbr8

1. Samson - Regina Spektor

2. Shrike -  Hozier

3. Numb - LINKIN PARK

4. Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap

5. After Rain - Dermot Kennedy

6. Zombie - YUNGBLUD

7. You Missed My Heart - Phoebe Bridgers

8. Morning Theft - Jeff Buckley

9. Wildfires - Winter Andrews

10. The Lovers - Winter Andrews

11. Babel - Winter Andrews

12. Across the Snow - Winter Andrews

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

What happens when the feature isn’t just a guest, but the gravitational force that reshapes a song’s destiny? This week, we go back to Season 3, and Matt and Sam dive into 12 tracks where the featured artist is bigger than the headliner and map the creative ripple effects—from credibility boosts and audience crossovers to subtle vocal weaves that change how a story is told. It’s a tour through hip-hop, rock, alt-pop, Latin hits, Afrobeats, and EDM, spotlighting the different ways a feature can blend, dominate, or transform.

We start with Blackstreet’s No Diggity and Dr. Dre’s stamp of authority, then jump to Gorillaz and Bad Bunny’s Tormenta where the guest becomes the lead energy. Bruce Springsteen’s appearance on Bleachers’ Chinatown shows how a legend can enhance without overshadowing. The Black Keys and ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons fuse blues weight with modern grit, while Big Sean’s No Favors taps Eminem’s verbal whirlwind to re-center the track. The Pretty Reckless bring Tom Morello for a late-song solo that explodes the arrangement, and The National’s The Alcott with Taylor Swift is a masterclass in narrative duet balance.

We revisit two global juggernauts—Despacito’s crossover with Justin Bieber and the time-capsule case of Old Town Road featuring Billy Ray Cyrus—to show how co-signs can bridge genres and break charts. Dominic Fike’s collaboration with Weezer reframes alt DNA, Burna Boy’s Monsters You Made with Chris Martin pairs stadium warmth with sharp political commentary, and Flume’s Tiny Cities with Beck turns bright production into bittersweet reflection. Along the way, we explore questions of authorship, credit, and why certain features open doors to entire scenes.

1. No Diggity (feat. Dr Dre & Queen Pen) by Blackstreet
2. Tormenta (feat. Bad Bunny) by Gorrilaz
3. Chinatown (feat. Bruce Springsteen) by Bleachers
4. Good Love (feat. Billy F Gibbons) by The Black Keys
5. No Favors (feat. Eminem) by Big Sean
6. And So It Went (feat. Tom Morello) by The Pretty Reckless
7. The Alcott (feat. Taylor Swift) by The National
8. Despacito (feat. Justin Bieber) by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee
9. Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) by Lil Nas X
10. Think Fast by Dominic Fike & Weezer
11. Monsters You Made (feat. Chris Martin) by Burna Boy
12. Tiny Cities (feat. Beck) by Flume

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

It's new music for the month of October!  Jenn Tully fills in for Sam again this month alongside Matt Sidhom.  Together they built a mix that moves from David Byrne’s question-rich groove with Ghost Train Orchestra and Hayley Williams to Florence and the Machine’s roof-raising declaration of ambition, with plenty of discoveries and nostalgic detours in between. 

We kick off with What Is the Reason for It, a horn-lit, cinematic opener that doubles as a meditation on love’s contradictions. From there, we bend time: Oasis reenters the chat via Don’t Look Back in Anger and the 30th anniversary of What’s the Story (Morning Glory), a reminder that remasters can be the best kind of rediscovery. Cold War Kids deliver a standout with Hyperempathy—maybe the most accurate song about a long-term couple’s fight—before Electric Guest lifts the room with Play Your Guitar and its bassline-as-elevation. We even throw a glam-pop curveball with Foxy Shazam’s You Know My Name featuring Corey Feldman, a surprisingly joyful MJ-inspired romp.

The middle stretch balances comeback warmth and clever wordplay: Yellowcard’s Better Days revisits the hooky honesty that made Ocean Avenue timeless, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise stitches fast-twitch lyrics to an easy, elastic groove. For elegant horror, The Last Dinner Party’s This Is the Killer Speaking toggles between sinister verses and pop-bright choruses, while Sloan’s Dream Destroyer blends 70s glam swagger with modern edge. We also wrestle with art versus artist through The Lemonheads’ The Key of Victory, and tip our hat to familiar architecture with Arthur Buck’s Fall in Love With Me, a pop-spooky echo of REM instincts with fresh attitude.

We close on Florence and the Machine’s One of the Greats, a soaring, razor-sharp statement about the cost and confidence of excellence—complete with a pointed critique of industry double standards. 

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-new-music-october-2025/pl.u-pm2jidKjlz

1. What is the Reason For It? - David Byrne with Ghost Train Orchestra featuring Hayley Williams

2. Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis

3. Hyperempathy - Cold War Kids

4. Play Your Guitar - Electric Guest

5. You Know My Name - Foxy Shazam featuring Corey Feldman

6. Better Days - Yellowcard

7. Dang - Rainbow Kitten Surprise

8. This is the Killer Speaking - The Last Dinner Party

9. Dream Destroyer - Sloan

10. The Key of Victory - The Lemonheads 

11. Fall in Love With Me - Arthur Buck

12. One of the Greats - Florence and the Machine

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

From guitar virtuosos to vocal powerhouses, Matt and Sam's "Women Who Rock: Volume 2" showcases twelve artists who represent the extraordinary breadth and depth of women's contributions to rock music.

St. Vincent (Annie Clark) kicks things off with "Los Ageless," her scathing take on Los Angeles culture wrapped in irresistible guitar work. Meanwhile, Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" demonstrates how great music transcends time, finding a whole new generation of listeners through Stranger Things – likely causing Bush herself to wake up one morning wondering why her 37-year-old song was suddenly topping global charts.

The mix features several guitar virtuosos deserving wider recognition. Orianthi, who's performed alongside Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper, delivers both technical brilliance and emotional resonance on "According to You." Even more surprising is Kaki King's instrumental "Default Shell," showcasing finger techniques so complex they seem impossible to be produced by human hands – explaining why she's collaborated with Eddie Vedder and toured with Foo Fighters.

Modern innovators get their due through Maggie Rogers' "Anywhere With You" , CHVRCHES' build-up masterpiece "Clearest Blue," and The Joy Formidable's "Worrying," which culminates in an extended instrumental finale that serves as perfect running music for those final miles.

We close with HAIM's Eagles-influenced harmonies on "The Wire" and Bully's raw punk energy on "Either Way" – proving that women aren't just participating in rock's evolution, they're driving it forward in exciting new directions. This isn't just a collection of women who play rock music – it's a celebration of essential artists whose technical skill, songwriting prowess, and unique perspectives continue to reshape what rock can be.

Follow us on Instagram @superawesomemix and join our growing community of music lovers who understand that great music transcends all boundaries.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7cMQ2xZQcDAoG6yx4KLDzF?si=ec5e4f18da1e419c 

1. Los Ageless by St. Vincent
2. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
3. C’mon C’mon by Sheryl Crow
4. Burning by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. According To You by Orianthi
6. Anywhere With You by Maggie Rogers
7. All American Girl by Melissa Etheridge
8. Clearest Blue by CHVRCHES
9. Default Shell by Kaki King
10. Whirring by The Joy Formidable
11. The Wire by HAIM
12. Either Way by Bully

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

What happens when you search for songs with the word "fall" in the title? A musical journey spanning decades, genres, and emotions that will surprise you at every turn.

Matt Sidhom and Sam Abousalbi dive deep into twelve tracks united only by a single word, uncovering fascinating stories behind each song. Did you know Tom Petty's iconic "Free Fallin'" was initially rejected by producers, only to be accepted unchanged six months later? Or that Post Malone's heartbreak anthem "I Fall Apart" transforms completely when remixed for spin classes?

The mix weaves through Kenny Chesney's nostalgic football tribute, Maggie Rogers' metaphorical "Falling Water," and the pure vocal harmonies of Shai's acapella "If I Ever Fall In Love." We explore the emotional weight of "Falling Slowly" from the Oscar-winning film Once, the edgy punk-infused sound of Weezer's "Falling For You," and the soaring hopefulness of Chloe and Halle's "Fall."

Each song reveals something unique about how artists interpret the concept of falling – whether it's falling in love, falling apart, or simply embracing the fall season. The conversations highlight how a single word can connect vastly different musical expressions while exposing the hosts' genuine passion for musical discovery.

Follow us @superawesomemix on Instagram and Threads, and check out our videos on YouTube to continue the conversation about your favorite "fall" songs!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-fall-playlist/pl.u-XmgpfXZ0qz

1. Free Fallin' - Tom Petty 

2. The Boys of Fall - Kenny Chesney

3. Fallingwater - Maggie Rogers

4. If I Ever Fall in Love - Shai

5. The Sky is Fallin' - Queens of the Stone Age

6. When I Fall in Love - Celine Dion featuring Clive Griffin

7. Falling For You - Weezer

8. Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

9. I Fall Apart - Post Malone

10. Fallen - Imagine Dragons

11. Fall - Chloe x Halle

12. Fall - Eminem

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

Matt and Samer dive deep into twelve remarkable artists who've successfully bridged the entertainment divide. From Justin Timberlake's smooth transition from boy band heartthrob to serious dramatic actor, to Carrie Brownstein's seamless movement between indie rock and sketch comedy, these performers defy the notion that you must choose a single creative path.

The episode explores unexpected musical talents, like Zooey Deschanel's sweet vocals in She & Him and Steve Martin's impressive banjo skills, alongside discussions of Donald Glover's dual identity as Childish Gambino and Jack Black's perfect fusion of comedy and rock with Tenacious D. We also celebrate legends like Cher, whose Oscar-winning acting complements her iconic music career, and remember talents like Aaliyah, whose promising dual career was tragically cut short.

What becomes clear throughout our musical journey is that true artistry rarely confines itself to a single medium. These exceptional talents remind us that creativity flows where it will, sometimes producing individuals who can captivate us equally whether they're delivering lines or delivering lyrics. Whether you're more familiar with their on-screen performances or their chart-topping hits, you'll gain a new appreciation for these multi-dimensional artists.

Which of these double-threats surprised you most? Are there others we missed? Follow us on Instagram @superawesomemix and join the conversation about celebrities who refuse to be defined by just one talent.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1eYwq2iWqdVRnbIRfyGBKT?si=b9819bd6b9a3420d

1. What Goes Around // Comes Around by Justin Timberlake
2. You’re No Rock n’ Roll Fun by Sleater-Kinney
3. Why Do YOu Let Me Stay Here? by She & Him
4. You Didn’t Know Me When by Harry Connick, Jr.
5. Heartbeat by Childish Gambino
6. If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher
7. The Metal by Tenacious D
8. So Familiar by Steve Martin, Steep Canyon Rangers
9. Are You That Somebody by Aaliyah
10. Mathematics by Mos Def
11. Kings And Queens by Thirty Seconds To Mars
12. Sun City by Artists United Against Apartheid

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

The musical landscape of September 2024 unfolds like a treasure map of sonic discoveries as Matt Sidhom and guest co-host Jen Tully navigate through twelve diverse new releases that defy easy categorization.

They kick things off with the track, "Everybody Scream," from Florence and the Machine's upcoming sixth album, which creates a space where women don't have to "be quiet" or "be kind" – a witchy celebration of unrestrained feminine power. Meanwhile, Role Model's infectious "Sally When the Wine Runs Out" has transformed into a cultural moment, with celebrities from Natalie Portman to Al Roker taking turns as the song's namesake during live performances.

The conversation shifts to gritty territory with Idles' "Rabbit Run," where Joe Talbot's distinctive Cockney delivery powers the soundtrack to Austin Butler's new film. This leads into Old Dominion's surprisingly affecting "Miss You Man," a country ballad that captures male friendship and grief with remarkable authenticity. 

Wet Leg reveals unexpected vulnerability with "Pokemon," a softer departure from their typically harder-edged sound, while Doja Cat delivers another potential hit with "Jealous Type" . 

The musical journey continues through jam band territory with Goose's soulful "Madelena," the country-rap fusion of BigXThaPlug and Shaboozey's "Home," and the truly unexpected "Clockwork" by Laufey, which sounds like a Disney princess number addressing thoroughly modern themes.

The episode closes with universal praise for Dominic Fike's "Sandman," a perfect blend of hip-hop, rap, and old-school R&B influences that showcases why he remains one of music's most exciting voices. 

Discover these tracks and more by following Super Awesome Mix on Instagram and YouTube, and don't miss Jen's podcast "What Are You Listening To" with new Season 7 episodes dropping now!

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sam-new-music-september-2025/pl.u-pmebHdKjlz

1. Everybody Scream - Florence and the Machine

2. Sally, When the Wine Runs Out - ROLE MODEL

3. Rabbit Run - Idles

4. Miss You Man - Old Dominion

5. Dealer - Lola Young

6. That's Gonna Leave A Mark - Molly Tuttle

7. pokemon - Wet Leg

8. Madalena - Goose

9. Jealous Tytpe - Doja Cat

10. Home - BigXThaPlug & Shaboozey

11. Clockwork - Laufey

12. Sandman - Dominic Fike

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!

This week's Mixtape Rewind goes to our most downloaded episode of all-time.  Our countdown of bullpen closer entrance songs.

The bullpen door swings open, and suddenly the energy in the stadium shifts. A familiar song begins to play, and everyone knows what comes next – the closer is about to take the mound. Baseball's most pressure-packed moments have their own soundtrack, and in this episode, Matt and Samer break down the most iconic entrance songs in baseball closer history.

From unexpected choices that became superstition-fueled traditions to deliberately intimidating anthems designed to strike fear into opposing batters, these musical selections reveal the psychology behind baseball's specialized relief pitchers. 

The episode takes listeners through surprising stories – like Craig Kimbrell adopting "Let It Go" from Frozen after his wife swapped his walk-up music on Women's Day, or John Smoltz strategically using ABBA's "Dancing Queen" to throw off opponents. You'll discover how Kenley Jansen's commitment to geography-based entrance music follows him from team to team, and why Edwin Diaz's entrance set to "Narco" suddenly exploded in popularity.

As Matt and Samer approach their top picks, they analyze what makes certain songs particularly effective for the closer role – from instantly recognizable intros to lyrics that perfectly complement the situation. The tolling bells that announced Trevor Hoffman's arrival, the Irish rhythms that energized Fenway Park for Jonathan Papelbon, and of course, the definitive closer anthem that accompanied the greatest reliever of all time, Mariano Rivera.

Whether you're a baseball fanatic or just appreciate the perfect marriage of music and sports, this countdown reveals how these carefully chosen songs transform ordinary pitching changes into theatrical moments that energize fans and intimidate opponents. Listen now and discover which iconic closer entrance claims the top spot!

 The playlist:
 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/239CiybVVYuw2q1olpiJe5?si=1bj8MKd3ROy54nDdnoUFjA

Edwin Diaz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BYSp2pzP0Y

Aroldis Chapman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHTp-j1j7GU

Craig Kimbrel:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/APIFsi9BcXc

1. Let It Go by Idina Menzel
2. Bad to the bone by George Thorogood & The Destroyers
3. Dancing Queen by ABBA
4. California Love by 2Pac, Roger, Dr. Dre
5. Jump Around by House Of Pain
6. Wild Thing by The Troggs
7. Wake Up by Rage Against the Machine
8. Welcome To The Jungle by Guns N’ Roses
9. I’m Shipping Up To Boston by Dropkick Murphys
10. Hells Bells by AC/DC
11. Narco by Blasterjaxx, Timmy Trumpet
12. Enter Sandman by Metallica

Go to My.SuperAwesomeMix.com and start using our new app on any device - mobile or laptop.  Copy and paste a link to your playlist then turn it into an old school mixtape in minutes!  

Support the show

Visit us at https://www.superawesomemix.com to learn more about our app, our merchandise, our cards, and more!