KEXP’s Songs of the Year (2024)
It’s that list-making time of year! So for this episode, we've brought together 12 KEXP DJs and tastemakers for a sonic collage of the best new music from 2024. We hear from each DJ about one song that rose above the rest, getting a diverse sampling of the year in music. From hardcore to reggae to …
Albina Cabrera: Winona Riders, Dum Chica, Alcalá Norte, Carolina Durante
Albina Cabrera returns to the podcast for a very ”roquera” episode, spotlighting four new tracks from Argentina and Spain with elements of shoegaze, psychedelic, and punk, partly inspired by her recent travels. She also shares the 2020 song she keeps coming back to from the riot grrrls of Madrid. …
The Ambient Break: KMRU, Austyn Wohlers, Evan Chapman, Nala Sinephro, Mark McGuire
In this episode, we make space for calm with a selection of new ambient tracks curated by KEXP DJs and editorial staff. We hear from Alex Ruder, host of the ambient and neo-classical show, Pacific Notions, about where his interest in ambient music began and the first song he ever played on his show…
Darek Mazzone: SANAM, Warsaw Village Band, Buzz Ayaz
Darek Mazzone – KEXP’s longtime host of Wo’Pop, our Modern Global music show – takes us on a melodic journey from Cyprus to Lebanon to his homeland of Poland on today’s episode, concluding with a track that transcends all language for him. And Music Director Chris Sanley shares a haunting, hypnoti…
Troy Nelson: Freak Slug, Cults, Casino Hearts
This week, we welcome Troy Nelson, Variety Mix DJ and host of the KEXP podcast, Live on KEXP. Not only does Troy share some recent faves with a ‘90s vibe, but stories of casino concerts, a childhood best friend turned Grammy-nominated producer, and discovering a post-punk gem behind a “one-hit wond…
DJ Jewel: Nice Biscuit, Nolan Potter, Black Moth Super Rainbow
In this episode, we hear from KEXP’s queen of psychedelia and host of Astral Plane, DJ Jewel. She shares the mellow yet mind-bending tracks that have been easing her into shorter and darker days. She also talks with Isabel about the way psych music bends time, how you can find ego death in a good j…
Sean: James K, Alex Kassian, Safe Mind
Variety Mix DJ Sean brings a dreamy, synth-heavy vibe to the show with his song choices, including a nod to an influential Krautrock guitarist and a salute to an ‘80s Scottish new wave duo who helped set the standard for his picks. And Associate Music Director Alex Ruder spotlights the latest from…
Atticus: Chelsea Wolfe & Boy Harsher, Dummy, MJ Lenderman
To kick off this late October episode, Atticus brings us into the spirit of his favorite holiday with a Chelsea Wolfe track remixed by Boy Harsher - a perfect goth/dark wave pairing for Halloween. He also shares some dizzying psych-pop, his favorite lines from a singer-songwriter with “goofy and sm…
Bonus: Introducing KEXP's "A Deeper Listen"
In Our Headphones will be back next week with song recommendations from Atticus. But this week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: A Deeper Listen. It’s hosted by Emily Fox and every week it features a conversation with an artist bringing you deeper into their music. After hearing about thei…
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Edition: Ghostkeeper, Ombiigizi, Liv Rion, Indian Giver
For this episode, we welcome back Kevin Sur (Kānaka Maoli) and Tory J (Quinault), hosts of KEXP’s global Indigenous music show. They share the origins of their show name, Sounds of Survivance, and how the notion of survivance relates to the music they play and informs a way of being. They bring a m…