Avatars are working harder than ever, and perhaps making a blueprint for how the pop stars of the future will handle the work of fame.

Will Pop Music of the Future Rely on Actual Musicians, or Avatars?

The Popcast is hosted by Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for The New York Times. It covers the latest in popular music criticism, trends and news. 

Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

Music

Music Interviews

Music Commentary

A discussion about the singer’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” Swift’s “imperial era,” the use of her rumored relationships and production choices.

Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured’ Era

Digging into “Only God Was Above Us,” an LP that’s both catchy and complex. Guest host: Jon Pareles. Guests: The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich and Pitchfork's Matthew Strauss.

Vampire Weekend’s New Album Goes Underground and All Over

Breaking down the convoluted recent beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Future, Metro Boomin, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross and more).

Popcast (Deluxe): It’s Drake vs. Everybody … Who’s Winning?

A conversation about how the pop superstar’s genre experiments explore race and power, and the implicit politics that come with them. Guests: Marcus K. Dowling and Julianne Escobedo Shepherd.

Beyoncé, ‘Cowboy Carter’ and Filling in History’s Gaps

How conversation about very specific aspects of the new albums “Cowboy Carter” and “We Don’t Trust You” can obscure talk of their musical quality.

Will Pop Music of the Future Rely on Actual Musicians, or Avatars?

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