SoundFynd is a music discovery platform putting their own spin on the meaning of new media. Founder Tal Kamara and community leader Jocelyn Motley join us to talk about the platform and the broader digital landscape in music coverage of emerging artists. We dig into whether modern-day payola for social media placements is making or breaking the business model, corporate music power structures monopolizing the game, and community building IRL. We also chat about New York indie rock outfit Geese—their not-so-sudden impact and how they stack up against some of the indie rock buzz bands of the blog era. To wrap things up, the SoundFynd gang share their Top 5 songs of the moment, featuring tracks by Jim Legxacy, Mannequin Pussy, Dijon, Sly and The Family Stone, and Cleo Reed.

Theravada is a rapper and producer from Long Island, New York. Fresh off the release of his new album The Years We Have, he joins us from a Brooklyn studio for a wide-ranging conversation to discuss all things in his orbit as of late —from Nike Foamposites to his production on Earl Sweatshirt’s latest album Live, Laugh, Love. We also dig into his background as a DJ, including his inventive use of the software Virtual DJ as his weapon of choice for making beats. Theravada walks Yash through his new album track by track, sharing the stories and creative processes that shaped the project over the past two years. A special deep-dive episode for the heads.

Mike Isaac is a music writer and technology correspondent for The New York Times. He joins us from sunny San Francisco to discuss his recent story on the Deftones, their resurgence, and what it was like to kick it with the band as they dug through crates of vinyl at Atomic Records in Burbank, Calif. We also dive into the idea of digital streaming platforms as tech companies, exploring how Spotify and Bandcamp are the same, but wildly different. We dive into The Armed’s ferocious new album, THE FUTURE IS HERE AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE DESTROYED, and why this particular moment feels primed for music that lashes back against corruption and the endless flood of toxic social media slop. Finally, we get into Mike's rollercoaster of a Top 5 (songs of the moment) with heat from Teen Mortgage, Desire and Johnny Jewel, Wine Lips, The Osees, and Creed....oh yes we did.

Helio-Tropes 50. Please excuse the audio quality as we continue to experiment with ways to get this plane off the ground. This rare solo episode features Yash, kicking off a new chapter for Helio-Tropes — and life itself. Yash discusses the return of Clipse and their new album Let God Sort 'Em Out: what worked, what didn’t, and what was left to be desired. He also explores the pros and cons of streaming platforms; how we’re still grappling with the flawed, technological evolution of modern music consumption. The episode dives into Turnstile’s ambitious new album Never Enough, and the way it’s reshaping hardcore music for mainstream success. Yash shares thoughts on his latest Yak Ballz singles, and wraps up with his current Top 5 — featuring music from Shoreline Mafia, Tony Bontana, Glare, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, and Alaska, Jason Griff & Alex Ludovico.

Justin Staple is for the culture. A journalist, director, and documentarian, Justin’s days at VICE led him to shoot his 2020 Hulu documentary American Rapstar, where he chronicled a rebellious new wave of young rappers who used SoundCloud to build intense stan armies — from XXXTentacion to Lil Peep. We get into how this era turned internet fame into million-dollar record deals and opened the door for a whole new generation of artists. We also talk about the producer F1lthy and his huge impact on modern rap, going back to the SoundCloud days and working with everyone from Matt Ox to Drake to Playboi Carti. We touch on how Bhad Bhabie went from viral rap sensation to OnlyFans cash cow, and Jane Remover’s Revenge Seekers album, which sits right at the crossroads of the internet and experimental sound. Plus, we talk about the wild new EP from Varg2™ and DJ Smokey, Psychological Musical Warfare 2, and wrap it up with Justin’s Top 5 — packed with bangers from Carti, Double Virgo, Edward Skeletrix, and more.

EricTheYoungGawd is a media personality and journalist with bylines in COMPLEX and a YouTube channel that you should definitely subscribe to. We get right down to business, unpacking the return of Clipse, their new deal with Roc Nation, and how Pusha T is using familiar tricks to stir up controversy. We also talk about Brooklyn rapper MIKE and Tony Seltzer’s impressive collaborative album Pinball II and the way MIKE has turned underground buzz into a fledgling rap career. We dive into Lil Wayne's epic brick Tha Carter VI; the disconnected nature of the music and the unexpected collaborations that couldn’t save the album from itself. We talk In-N-Out versus Fatburger, and Eric shares his Top 5 songs of the moment—from Moskino, Nourished By Time, Angelo Leroi, Brother Ali, Cameron Winter, and El Cousteau.

Follow Helio-Tropes on Instagram @helio__tropes

Follow Yash on Instagram @yashzadeh

Follow Eric on Instagram @youaintpackinmeat

Stephen Malbon is a golf addict who will never recover from it. The founder of Malbon Golf joins us to talk about his interest in music and art—starting from the days of co-founding FRANK 151 to building a golf brand inspired by whatever lifestyle interests cross his mind. We get into his history growing up in Virginia and the early sounds and brands that helped shape his identity. Yash explains how he was captivated by the Futura2000 collaboration with Malbon and what it meant to those in the know. Stephen shares the backstory of how a failed collaboration ended up leading to a collab with Ghostface Killah, and how the Chief Keef Glo Gang collab came out of a longstanding relationship. We also talk about Bieber catching the golf bug, Alice Cooper’s obsession with the game, and how one putt set Yash on his fairway journey in this special golf edition of HT.

Anna Zanes is the editor in chief of Alternative Press Magazine. She joins us to talk about honoring the magazine’s legacy while driving it forward—diversifying coverage, spotlighting new voices, and pushing the envelope beyond the sausage fest of yesteryear. We also chat about Corbin's very good new album 'Crisis Kid' and some of the history Yash has with the artist formerly known as Spooky Black. We break down Deafheaven’s stellar new album Lonely People With Power—what makes it so powerful, their leap from indie to major label, and how they've stayed true to heavy music without compromise. Anna also shares her Top 5 songs of the moment including tracks by Comet, Mould, Viagra Boys, and Sextile. Don't sleep.