Introducing Season 7 of the What Is Music? podcast, which is called "Do U Wanna Know?: A Critical Analysis of the History, Cultural Impact, and Music of Arctic Monkeys".

Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin their deep-dive exploration of Arctic Monkeys by talking about their experiences with the band's music, their journeys with them over time, and what they know about the band.

They also talk about what they value in music and the roles it plays in their lives before exploring the people that make up the band, where they're from, the genres they operate in, and what made Arctic Monkeys stand out from their contemporaries to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world today!

The season to come will be an album-by-album, track-by-track exploration of Arctic Monkeys' varied and storied career, the context around each release, behind-the-scenes stories of each recording session, a look at the legacy of the albums they've released, and a review of all of it, complete with scores, rankings, and lists!

It promises to be exhaustive, informative, and fun as we approach the Arctic Monkeys discography from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between!

What do we already know about the band? What are we most excited to talk about? What are our current favourite songs by the band? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

The season continues next week, Monday June 2nd, and we'll look at the early days of the band and their first release - Five Minutes With Arctic Monkeys!

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The Big Mates discuss call signs, the attraction of screens, easter eggs, and HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their third season and explore Eilish's third studio album, released in 2024. 

They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the albums, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.

What do we think of the album? How many of the songs feature in The Greatest Showman? Will Adam return for the next season? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our new season begins next week, on Monday May 26th!

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Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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For the first time on our main feed, we present to you The WIM Album Club, with an episode we released on our Patreon last December.

The episode is a classic WIM deep-dive into the album What's Going On by Marvin Gaye and features all of the usual discussion, analysis, commentary, history, insight, and tangents you've come to expect from the podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, head over to our Patreon to hear more episodes on a range of different artists, in different genres, from different countries and eras. Going to https://www.patreon.com/whatismusicpod and subscribing at the Bigger Mates tier or higher will get you instant access to all of the Album Club episodes we've released so far. That's just £5 a month!

It also gives you the opportunity to submit your own choice of albums for possible future episodes, and means you can get involved in the discussion! 

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The Big Mates discuss Spirited Away, underwater photography, deer vocalisations, and HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their third season and explore Eilish's third studio album, released in 2024. 

They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the albums, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.

How has Billie evolved? How was Tom Cruise involved? What's the difference between a book and novel?  Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out Monday May 19th, and will continue and conclude the deep-dive into HIT ME HARD AND SOFT!

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Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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The Big Mates discuss ticket buying, secret agents, time signatures, and two albums by The Smile.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their fourth season in order to catch up with the extra-curricular activities of members of Radiohead. As the band released two albums within a year, the Big Mates talk about Wall of Eyes and Cutouts all in one episode!

They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the albums, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.

They also find time to speculate on the rumoured Radiohead tour!

When will they stop ripping off Muse? Is Lucas Radiohead? Can you do maths with time?  Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out next Monday May 12th, and will see us return to Billie Eilish in order to start discussing her third album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT!

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Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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The Big Mates discuss and conclude their thoughts on R.E.M. and their career. 

They bring an 18-month journey to a close, with thoughts on the sound, story, and attitude of the band, a recap of each of their albums and moods, and a look at their impact and legacy. 

It's a long finale to a long season! Thank you all for joining us!

Is it era or era? Do Nirvana sound like the Spice Girls? What is the true identity of Santa Claus? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out next Monday!

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Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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The Big Mates watch all of R.E.M.'s music videos in one sitting. Or a lot of them, at least!

You can watch along with us here:
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1BTocYjExC/
Or you can just listen without watching anything - that works too!
Or you could make your own playlist - scroll down to see which videos we covered!

Our next episode will see us wrap-up and offer final thoughts on the whole 15-album, 31-year career of R.E.M. and is out on Monday April 28th!

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E-mail: [email protected]

Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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The videos we watch in this episode are:
Wolves, Lower
Radio Free Europe
Pretty Persuasion
So. Central Rain
Can’t Get There From Here
Driver 8
Feeling Gravitys Pull
Life and How to Live It
Fall On Me
The One I Love
It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Finest Worksong
Talk About the Passion
Orange Crush
Stand
Turn You Inside-Out
Pop Song 89
Get Up
Losing My Religion
Shiny Happy People
Near Wild Heaven
Radio Song
Drive
Man on the Moon
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
Everybody Hurts
Nightswimming
Find the River
What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?
Bang and Blame
Crush With Eyeliner
Strange Currencies
Star 69
Tongue
E-Bow the Letter
Bittersweet Me
Electrolite
How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us
Daysleeper
Lotus
Suspicion
At My Most Beautiful
The Great Beyond
Imitation of Life
All the Way to Reno (You’re Gonna Be a Star)
I’ll Take the Rain
Bad Day
Animal
Leaving New York
Aftermath
Supernatural Superserious
Hollow Man
Man-Sized Wreath
Until the Day is Done
Mine Smell Like Honey
Uberlin
Oh My Heart
We All Go Back to Where We Belong

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Adam talks to Bertis Downs, long-time legal advisor and manager of R.E.M.

 They talk about the formation of his musical tastes, his background in law, and meeting the band in the early days of their career. They also discuss what he saw in R.E.M., how he learned the job as he was doing it, how to manage a band with a clear vision of their own, how to pick singles, life after the band, and much more!

Our next episode is out on Monday April 21st!

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E-mail: [email protected]

Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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The Big Mates discuss face food, William S. Burroughs, obscure Arctic Monkeys singles, and a selection of b-sides by R.E.M..

Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss some b-sides and rarities from across the band's career, discussing the content and recording process. 

Which songs have been included? How do you use a Scrub Daddy? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday April 14th!

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Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

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Adam welcomes back Ethan Kaplan, this time to discuss his work with the band during the process of Accelerate and Collapse Into Now.

They talk about album promotion in the 21st Century, embracing emerging technology, the advent of social media, and the studio process for the last few R.E.M. albums.

Our next episode is out on Monday April 7th!

Join the conversation on:
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E-mail: [email protected]

Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including our album club and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!

Support our show when starting your own podcast!
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Support the show